Hare Krishna Temple Gets Footing in Spanish Fork

July 8, 2003

from Salt Lake Tribune, Saturday August 8, 1998 By Bob Mims

Volunteers, LDS Neighbors put shoulders to the wheel and help with construction.

Looking out a window of his Spanish Fork ashram, Caru das says he can see a miracle gradually taking place as a new temple rises to serve the state's Hare Krishna devotees. "As I stand here I see a structure about 18' high-that will be the interior ground floor," said Das, the temple president. "We've got half the interior space walled. Our next stage is to do the ceiling, which will also be the floor of the second story." Ground was broken at the 15 acre site in November 1996. This March the road to the new hilltop temple that will,overlook southern Utah Valley was excavated. In May, concrete footings for the 7,000 square foot structure were poured, and masonry work has been underway for the past two months.

Designed by Das' wife, Vaibhavi Devi, the $1 million temple will eventually be 50 feet in height. Modeled after the renowned Kusum Sarovar Temple in India, the building will feature a 25 foot wide main dome surrounded by 12 smaller domes, 108 arches and columns, sculptures, and murals. The temple's shrine will contain black teakwood and gold leafed altars and marble statuary of Hindu deities. Outside will be patios, colonnades, gardens, fountains and an outdoor amphitheater with seating for 5,000. However, just when the temple will be completed is a matter of faith, Das said. "There are material calculations and there are spiritual:the spiritual will always surprise you.: he said. "If I were to calculate just on the material, we shouldn't even be as far along as we are. "Spiritually, where we are now is a miracle, so spiritually I'll say it will be done in two years." Followers of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness settled on a 6.5 acre plot in Spanish Fork 16 years ago. Soon, they noticed an adjacent undeveloped hill crest parcel that seemed ideal for their dream temple.

However, the 8.5 acres was owned by the catholic Church, which wanted $95,000. Without financing, which Das said the church's realtor could not arrange, the parcel was out of reach for the sect. A decade later, though, a new realtor was so eager to sell the land that not only was financing arranged, but the price dropped to $75,000. "Within a couple of days we had a package," Das said. "The Catholic Church financed for 10, years at 6.5 per cent-that was a divine intervention of a sort."

Aid came from unexpected quarters, too, when the call for volunteers went out over the Hare Krishna owned radio station, KHQN-AM. Some help came from an estimated 2,000 devotees, but members of the state's predominant Mormon faith also have pitched in. "We've had plumbers, electricians and particularly a fellow who brought his track hoe over here and has done upwards of $10,000 in excavation work," Das said. "All of them were Mormons in good standing". It is both in recognition of the community's support, and in keeping with the Hare Krishnas' long standing precepts, that the new temple will be open to the public. "We mean this to be available to everyone. Besides the worship, which people may or may not have an interest in, there will be a park-like festival atmosphere," Das said. That openness is nothing new for the sect. For more than a decade, it has hosted an annual "LlamaFest." One of several festivals celebrated regularly at the site, the LlamaFest features its namesake South American mountain animals entertaining crowds of up to 5,000 in races and obstacle courses.

Festivals also include the Annual festival of India which include vegetarian meals, exhibits, stage entertainment, music, and a dramatic interpretation of the Hindu legend, Ramayana. Graphics: :Above Hare Krishna devotees Rishi Das, . Sevanam, and Caru Das show samples of the ornate work that will adorn their Spanish Fork temple. Portrayed below is an artist's concepotion of the plans.