Krishna Temple in Utah

Just an hour outside of Salt Lake City, a giant dome appears in the distance. In the conservative, small town of Spanish Fork, a large secret is revealed. During the Holi festival in May, I was privileged to find this miraculous building in my own back yard. Hours later, I was covered in bright hues of pink, purple, yellow and orange chalk. I danced and chanted the “Hare Hare” with revelers from all over the state. Utah has found tolerance.

One of only four Krishna Temples in the western U.S., the Sri Sri Radha Krisna Temple lies in the rural topography of central Utah. Mountains surround the desert climate. Most noted for fishing, recreation and farming, Spanish Fork is hardly the place to find a group of Hindu-based people. The collective operating the temple live in a compound on the grounds. The alabaster, plaster and concrete monument looms upward, yet cannot be seen from any of the major highways.

The temple was modeled after Kusum Sarvar, a devotional palace in India. The complex in which this domed, spiritual fortress is based is on a 15 acre plot. The building itself contains: the main 25-foot dome, 12 lesser domes, 108 arches and columns, sculptures, murals, gardens, fountains, and amphitheater.

Inside the wonder one will find gold leaf and black teakwood altars from India. Marble Gods carved from the quarries in Jaipur adorn the halls, vestibules, and meditation rooms. Construction of the Grande Dame began on February 16,1998. Now its halls, marbled floors, golden arches and festively colored statutes adorn the architectural marvel.

The temple serves as a place of reverence and residence. Its two founders, husband and wife Charu Dasa and Vaibhavi Devi Dasi, saw the needs of the expanding Indian collective in Utah and began building their dream. The foundation, with the aid from other Krishna organizations throughout the world, built this monument that majestically welcomes all into her womb. She envelopes the faithful and the curious, and allows all to ingest the serenity of Hinduism.

Sunday, all those who visit the temple are invited to discussions on Hindu faith, the faithful and practices. Different areas of specific spiritual enlightenment are chosen for each discussion. Most of the lessons presented are centered around love, purpose, enlightenment and service.

Chanting is a way of life in Krishna and can be heard in every ceremony, ritual, festival and practice. Japa and kirtan are two indispensable practices on the path to Krishna consciousness. Service to God via chanting his Holy Names involves all five senses. Seeing – by chanting in front of a statue or picture of the deity. Hearing – by actively listening to the chant and digesting its meaning. Touching – encouragement of embracing others, holding hands, and chanting together. Tasting – the actual taste of the goodness that the Lord has provided in vegetarian flare. Smelling – the lotus flowers and incense that is burned during the chant. All five senses awake, revive ad come alive as the faithful cry out, “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Rama Hare Hare.”

As the song from the Broadway musical, “Hair” goes: Peace, love, freedom, happiness. You can feel the vibe of a 1960’s evolutionary flower child as you float through nirvana in the halls of the temple. At festivals, the walls come to life as the faithful and curious join in song and dance.

People who you would not acknowledge anywhere else are embraced, held hand to shoulder, chanted with and lived through; if only within these walls. For those of us that marvel and venture once a year to the “Temple on the hill” it is a magical time in a mystical place. For those that live it, it is home. To all, it is an experience that should not be missed.

Enlighten, enliven, enjoy! If only for a few hours. Take in the sensation of an ancient culture, brought into the now.