Today’s temple round-up:Sri Radha Krishna Temple, Spanish Fork, Utah

The Temple during the winter.

Parking in front of the Temple.

The Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah,was built to meet the needs of the Hindu community in Utah County. The temple hosts seasonal festivals, weddings, receptions, and other weekly services for prayer and meditation.

The history behind the Sri Sri Radha Krishna temple is rooted in devoted members of ISKCON and their efforts to bring awareness of their religion and Indian culture to Western countries. The influence of this movement can be traced back thousands of years to the basic beliefs surrounding Krishna, and additionally to modern advocates for Krishna Consciousness like Swami Prabhupada.

The Sri Sri Radha Krishna temple located in Spanish Fork, Utah, is in existence mainly due to the efforts of Charu Das (formerly Christopher Warden) and his activity within ISKCON. Charu Das, an American by birth, left the United States in order to protest and avoid the Vietnam War. He then traveled through Europe, India, and Singapore. While in Singapore he met his future wife, and the two of them began a lifetime of work to further Krishna Consciousness. The two went to Australia where they lived and worked for a time. After spending several years with a community of Krishna devotees, Charu left Australia and returned to the United States where he served in several positions for the ISKCON.

Charu Das first visited Utah in 1975 when he travelled to BYU to sell books for a trust under ISKCON. His impressions were positive, and he appreciated the atmosphere of tolerance and interest. Years later, after leaving his position at a temple near Berkley, he returned to Utah. On November 10, 1996 ground breaking ceremonies were held at the temple's current location in Spanish Fork, and on February 16, 1998, the construction of the temple began.

The Sri Sri Radha Krishna temple continues to thrive each year as it attracts thousands of guests for both tours and seasonal festivals.

The Temple during the Festival of Colors in 2012.

The temple houses a natural amphitheatre with the capacity to accommodate thousands. From March through October the temple usually holds entertainments such as art and photography displays, tour guides, cuisine tasting, cultural exhibits on India, a gala pageant of the epic Ramayana, the burning of a 20 foot high effigy of the demon Ravana, weddings and receptions, guided llama tours, and fireworks. There is a gift shop on site as well. The Authentic Indian Gulal is especially imported from India. There are many different visitors such as schools, scout troops, summer or senior organizations, and family reunions.

Annually, the biggest celebration in Western Hemisphere of the Holi festival (also known as the Festival of Colors) is held here, typically teaching a Hindu message to a vast audience of diverse ages and religious backgrounds. Visitors can buy different colored powder to throw at each other and into the air at specific times throughout the day, while live bands perform music. A replica of Holika the witch is burned in the bonfire.