Long shot of Vraj temple Temple or haveli

Long shot of Vraj temple

Temple or haveli receives pilgrims on the first day of dedication

Temple will be landscaped and decorated over the next several years

Schuylkill Haven Marching Band lends a presence on the first day of dedication

Carriage with sacred images of deity and founder on first day of dedication

Pontiff or Tilkayat from Nathdwara is transported to the new temple (haveli)

Procession during dedication moves towards the temple

Crowd during dedication closely follows palanquin carrying sacred images

Vallabhacharya, the founder, beckons pilgrims to enter 84 baithak area, which represents pilgrimage route in India

One of the tableaux representing a pilgrimage site in the baithak exhibit

Images of deities for sale for home shrines in the bazaar area during dedication ceremonies

Varieties of drums, as tabla set, for sale in bazaar during the dedication weekends

A group of women break into a spontaneous performance of dance and song (bhajan)

Girls trained in classical Indian dance perform at the Cultural Center during dedication

Distinguished Indian architect, Atul Parikh, outside of temple he designed

Gold-plated doors close the deity’s personal mansion (haveli) in the main sanctuary

Priest takes care of needs of deity during the worship (darshan)

Lake outside of deity’s abode with silver boat featured at this darshan

After the afternoon darshan, people move to eating area for food blessed by deity (prasad)

People wait outside of cottage for priests or gowamis to emerge to begin procession

Helicopter sprinkles flower petals over temple on the last day of the dedication

Helicopter holding a visiting dignitary from another temple on last dedication day

Mass of people waiting to process on last day of dedication

Movement of crowd estimated to be 12, 000 people on last weekend

Procession on the last day waits to enter the temple

Indirabetiji, a strong supporter of Vraj, visits and lectures once a year from India

Research associate, Mohammed Rajmohammed, receives a garland from Indirabetiji

Allen Richardson speaks at memorial service for G. B. Shah, (Govindkaka), a founder of the American Vraj, on Feb 8, 2004

His Divine Highness, Goswami Shri Dwarkeshlalji, visiting Vraj for Tavasmi devotional event on May 1, 2004

Swan cart driven in procession during Tavasmi devotional event, May 2004

Tour group from Cedar Crest College with Diana Eck at Vraj, May 14, 2004

Diana Eck with Chompakbhai Shah at Vraj temple

Diana Eck with Vraj musicians during her visit

Decorative cornices over windows being installed

Pond in front of temple that represents the sacred Yamuna River in India