Talk Of New Temple...

July 8, 2003

from SALT LAKE TRIBUNE RELIGION SECTION SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26,1998 TALK OF A NEW TEMPLE ADDS SPICE TO KRISHNA CELEBRATION BY GRANT MADSEN

SUB HEADING "AT ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF INDIA IN SPANISH FORK, LEADER CALLS FUTURE HOLY PLACE A JEWEL AND A COMPLEMENT TO UTAH'S OTHER RELIGIOUS EDIFICES"

SPANISH FORK - A new temple being built in Utah County for the Hindu deity Krishna should be a beautiful addition for a state already known for its striking Mormon temples, a Hare Krishna leader says.

"It will be a jewel that will complement the other jewels, the other temples here in Utah," said Caru dasa, Utah president of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. "Only this temple will have a slightly different background and flavor."

Dasa made his comments during the Spanish Fork ashram's 12th annual Festival of India last week. Hundreds of visitors climbed a nearby hill to see the temple site, outlines by rows of concrete blocks.

The announcement made this year's festival more exciting than past celebrations, said the 30 year follower of Krishna, believed by devotees to be one incarnation of God, whose name means "all attractive."

"There is a difference in this year's festival-an added level of excitement for sure," said Dasa, who also operates KHQN, an AM radio station devoted to spreading Krishna consciousness.

The festival of Ramvijaya draws hundreds from all over Utah to celebrate the victory of Rama, one of the many incarnations of Krishna, over the evil, 10-headed demon Ravana.

Costumed actors reenacted the story in an hour long play culminating with the fiery destruction of a Ravana effigy. Visitors were invited to participate by throwing rocks and sticks at the demon lord.

Visitors to the Sept. 19 festival also dined on vegetarian dishes including such Indian delicacies as Bengali royal rice and blueberry "hallava," a dish made of blueberries, rice and raisins.

Visitors also flocked to a colorful pavilion where they could purchase prayer beads, incense or Indian clothing. The tents walls carried signs warning shoplifters and check bouncers to beware of bad karma.

Brigham Young University students Amy Larson, 19, and Misti Schmidt, 18, tried on green and gold saris, traditional Indian sashes that wrap around the body, to wear as Halloween costumes. Unable to figure out the complex twists and turns needed to wear the colorful cotton cloth, the duo enlisted the help of Karuna dasi, a Krishna devotee who was also wearing a sari.

Within moments, Dasi had the twosome properly garbed and fitting into the crowd gathered at the front of the wooden stage where dancers, singers and magicians performed in honor of Krishna.

Heather Hughes, a BYU student taking a class about world religions, said after learning about the Hare Krishna movement in class she came to see the people who live it.

"There seem to be parts of all religions that are the same. And it's interesting to learn what those similarities are and also the differences," Hughes said.

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