The Sampradaya, was formed in the fifteenth century in north India in Rajasthan, soon spreading to the Gujarat. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries the tradition spread to contiguous princely states in north India where it experienced the continued patronage of Rajput rulers. In Mewar, Kishangarh, Bundi and Jaipur, schools of Vallabhacharya art proliferated, supplemented by the writing of eight bhakti poets called astachap. A sectarian headquarters was established in a village, which was recreated as a holy city called Nathdwara (literally, "the door way to Sri Nath"), which quickly became a pilgrimage site.
High priest rocks swing with portable deity, with swaroop of Shri Nathji in background
Known as pushti marg or the “path of grace,” the tradition emphasized the role of Sri Nathji, an incarnation of Krishna, who appeared to devotees in a unique form of puja called darshan. According to sectarian mythology, Vallabha (who the faith identifies with the great teachers or acharyas of the Hindu tradition), discovered an image of Sri Nathi that was completely buried, with only an arm protruding above the surface. Recognizing the image as belonging to Krishna, Vallabha enshrined the god and established a regular pattern of worship, experiencing numerous theophanies and developing a special relationship with the deity.
Today, darshans within the Vallabhacharya tradition are conducted in India at appointed times during the day and are focused on the deity’s needs at that moment. Bhajans or devotional songs are frequently sung in conjunction with ground swells of intense emotion, typical of the bhakti tradition.
Women spontaneously break into performance of dance and song at Vraj dedication
The Vraj property is a 300-acre site that was purchased by the Vallabha Sampradaya in 1987. Over the last fifteen years existing structures on the property, (which was originally developed as a resort), have been restored. A temporary haveli was created in an older structure on the site.
With help from the Goswami Tilkayat Sri Indradamanji Maharajshri of Nathdwara, the spiritual head of the Sampradaya in Rajasthan, plans were made for the erection of a more formal haveli. This structure, which is now nearly complete, encompasses over 50,000 square feet and was formally dedicated in a series of ceremonies in May and June, 2002.
Sanctuary inside haveli which shows Shri Nathji's abode. His doors are closed.
Vraj is an area designed specifically for pilgrimage. The group has established a home for Sri Nathji that resembles His sacred home in India, a major pilgrimage center for followers of Sri Nathji. The area is an intentional creation of sacred space in a site purchased for convenience. This raises many questions about sacred landscape that are being explored by the research project.
The temple, which is complete except for window cornices was dedicated in the summer of 2002 over a month long period in which visiting goswamis or spiritual leaders performed rituals that brought life to an image of Sri Nathji. The dedication of Vraj was attended in great numbers: 10-15,000 people on weekends, and at the end of month around 18,000 people visited Vraj. A summer Gujarati language camp was also held at the temple complex.
Thousands of pilgrims journey to Vraj for special festival events in ritual calendar
Vraj is also an Institute of Indian Heritage, serving the cultural needs of devotees. Festivals often feature concerts of Indian music and dance. In the summer, Vraj runs a five-week summer program so that children and teens can study Guajarati and Indian history and culture.
Young girls study Indian classical dance and perform at special events such as the Vraj dedication.
Links to sites of Interest:
The temple Vraj www.vraj.org