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Hundreds Gather in Spanish Fork for the Dedication
By Rodger L. Hardy - Deseret News Staff Writer

Photo caption: Sridhar Swami, right, dances around the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple during the dedication in Spanish Fork. The temple is the first of its kind in America. The worshippers circled the 15, 000-square-foot temple three times for the blessing.

SPANISH FORK, UTAH (USA) - Mike Chaudhari got his family up early to get to the temple dedication on time. But even at 4:30 a. m. Saturday, the Vernal family was eager to get started.

"My kids were excited,” he said of his three children. The wife and kids piled into their car about 7 a. m. to drive to the new Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple high on a knoll south of Spanish Fork. "This is like my life is here,” Chaudhari said.

Originally from Gujarat, India, where Krishna lived 5, 000 years ago, Chaudhari and his family joined hundreds of believers and well-wishers in invocation, installation and dedication ceremonies after three years of construction and 10 years of planning. The temple is the first of its kind in America.

Beyond the carved teakwood doors, many were seated on the floor in the upper room under the 15, 000-square-foot temple's giant dome to watch and participate. Ceremonies included installing eight marble Hindu deities carved in Jaipur, India.

"It's like saying, "Look, Lord, we have devotion. Please come,” said Caru Das, a driving force behind getting the edifice built. His wife, Vaibhavi Dasi, designed it after the ornate Kusum Sarovar or Temple of a Lake of Flowers in India.

One of the eight marble Hindu deities carved in Jaipur, India, is bathed during ritual. Brahman priests chanted Sanskrit mantras and sanctified the temple with a traditional fire sacrifice. The day's events included music, Indian food, dances and crafts.

"We believe in God as a person,” he said.

Before the ritual bathing of the eight 4-foot images of the deities, and as part of installing the gods, Brahman priests chanted Sanskrit mantras, sanctified the building with a traditional fire sacrifice and bathed the statues in milk, yogurt, honey, rosewater, ghee and sugar water.

"It gives us an opportunity to serve the Lord,” Das said. Krishnas believe that the eight deities are conduits to God. Templegoers always bring something to give when they come to the temple, he said.

The curious, along with the faithful, were there to witness the events unfold.

"Everyone knows they believe in reincarnation and are vegetarians,” Laura Miller of Logan said. But she and her husband, David, both members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, were curious to see the ceremonies and the Krishnas' connections to other religions.

"It's interesting to see how their beliefs match or don't match,” David Miller said. "They're not just totally weird. "

A series of panels explained Krishna beliefs and included interpretations from the Bible and statements from early LDS prophets regarding the eating of meat.

Not all was ceremony. Entertainment included the Brigham Young University Pipe Band, a dance presentation by Pallavi Kharker and the main event, a presentation from the Arpana School of Dance from Irvine, Calif.

Dance and music presentations punctuated the afternoon, while exhibits, art, Indian cuisine and crafts were available for visitors. The temple still has about a year's work ahead of it, including more domes and columns to complete the ornate structure.

© CHAKRA 29-Nov-2003

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