09/29/1998 - 2285

Talk Of New Temple...

USA (VNN) - by Caru das

from SALT LAKE TRIBUNERELIGION SECTIONSATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26,1998TALK OF A NEW TEMPLE ADDS SPICE TO KRISHNA CELEBRATIONBY GRANT MADSEN

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

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

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

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

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

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

 The festival of Ramvijaya draws hundreds from all over Utah tocelebrate 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 playculminating with the fiery destruction of a Ravana effigy. Visitors wereinvited to participate by throwing rocks and sticks at the demon lord.

 Visitors to the Sept. 19 festival also dined on vegetarian dishesincluding 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 couldpurchase prayer beads, incense or Indian clothing. The tents walls carriedsigns warning shoplifters and check bouncers to beware of bad karma.

 Brigham Young University students Amy Larson, 19, and MistiSchmidt, 18, tried on green and gold saris, traditional Indian sashes thatwrap around the body, to wear as Halloween costumes. Unable to figure outthe complex twists and turns needed to wear the colorful cotton cloth, theduo enlisted the help of Karuna dasi, a Krishna devotee who was alsowearing a sari.

 Within moments, Dasi had the twosome properly garbed and fittinginto 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 tosee the people who live it.

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

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