The Vraj study is community research based on the broad theme of religious and cultural pluralism in America. The focus of the study is a Hindu bhakti sect called the Vallabha Sampradaya, and more often, Pushti Marg. The religion has come to the United States via immigrants from Gujarat and Rajasthan in north India. Devotees from the sect erected a multi-million dollar temple or haveli called Vraj on 300 acres of land in Schuylkill County in eastern Pennsylvania. The new temple was dedicated as the spiritual headquarters of the sect for the Western hemisphere and the deity installed in May/ June 2002.

Women leaving Vraj temple after one of the days of dedication

 The researchers are Dr. Allen Richardson [hyperlink to dept page], associate professor of religious studies, and Dr. Catherine Cameron [hyperlink to dept page], professor of anthropology. They are research affiliates of the Pluralism Project on religion of Harvard University, which has also funded the research with two grants in 2000 and 2003. The Harvard site can be viewed at: http://www.pluralism.org/affiliates/richardson/index.php

 Catherine Cameron and Allen Richardson have audience with goswamis at Vraj dedication

The research brings together students and faculty at Cedar Crest College to do fieldwork at the temple and surrounding region. The project involves not only study of the religion and culture of the sect itself, but also the fit of the transplanted community within the larger region around the temple.