Explore deep mysteries of Hinduism in a city that embodies devotion
Dates: December 12th to 22nd, 2025
Price: £1,995*
Study Hinduism in Vrindavan
Course title: Vrindavan – Sacred Landscapes & Living Traditions
The Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies invites students and scholars to participate in a 10-day academic study programme in Vrindavan, exploring the history, philosophy, and cultural expressions of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. This immersive course provides a rigorous, interdisciplinary examination of Gaudiya Vaishnavism through expert-led lectures, guided field studies, and site visits to historically significant locations.
Vrindavan, a central hub of Gaudiya Vaishnava history and practice, offers a unique setting to study the intellectual, cultural, and religious developments of this tradition. Participants will engage with key themes such as the philosophy of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, the contributions of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and the Goswamis, and the role of temple architecture, art, and ritual in shaping Gaudiya Vaishnava identity.The programme includes site visits to Vrindavan’s iconic temples, samadhis, and sacred spaces, providing students with firsthand insights into the material and cultural manifestations of the tradition. Daily academic sessions will connect these experiences to broader disciplines such as Religious Studies, Indology, South Asian Studies, Anthropology, Sanskrit Studies, and History.
This course provides a methodologically rigorous approach to understanding how religion is lived and expressed, offering participants the opportunity to:
- History & Architecture – Explore the history, theology, and architectural significance of Govindadev Temple, alongside the broader development of Vaishnava sampradayas and their influence on Vrindavan’s religious landscape.
- Pilgrimage & Sacred Geography – Examine how devotees experience Vrindavan through sacred texts, landscapes, and religious icons, and uncover the role of samadhis as spaces of memory, tradition, and spiritual encounter.
- Ritual, Worship & Devotional Expression – Study daily spiritual practices (sadhachara), temple worship, and the poetic traditions of Krishna in Vrindavan, understanding how artistic and ritualistic expressions shape religious experience.
- Modern Vrindavan & Bhakti Movements – Analyze contemporary Bhakti movements, the impact of modernization on devotional practices, and visit a Bhakti Marga community to explore evolving expressions of devotion.
- Interfaith Dynamics through History – Examine the history of interfaith in the region through the Hindu-Islamic interactions in Mughal-era Vrindavan, examining patronage, tensions, collaborations, and historical narratives and their lasting impact on shaping contemporary dialogue.
Join us from December 12th to 22nd, 2024, for this immersive academic experience. The programme is open to BA and MA students, independent scholars, and anyone with a keen interest in the study of Hindu traditions. Course completion certificates will be provided to all participants.
Early bird applications are open till 15 May 2025. Save £50!
Not ready to apply? Sign up for updates here
Scholar
Dr Rembert Lutjeharms
Vaishnavism expert and Research Lecturer in Hindu Studies at OCHS and the University of Oxford
Scholar
Dr Mans Broo
Senior Lecturer in Religious Studies at Åbo Akademi University, Finland, and research fellow at the OCHS
Scholar
Prof. Ravi Gupta
Charles Redd Chair of Religious Studies and serves as Professor and Department Head of the Department of History at Utah State University.
Scholar
Dr Kenneth Valpey
Research Fellow, Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies
*Course participant will share rooms (2 people in one room). Private room supplement is £300. Price per person excludes international flights.