Hindu Temple to Be Dedicated

November 26, 2009

Author: Christie Storm

Source: NWA Online

http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2009/nov/26/hindu-temple-be-dedicated-20091126/

When Murthy Kolluru, a native of India, moved to Northwest Arkansas 13 years ago, people could tell he wasn’t from around here.

“[When] I went to a Wal-Mart people would talk to me in Spanish,” Kolluru said.

Since that time, the Indian and Hindu communities have grown dramatically in the region, from a few families to more than 1,000 residents. Kolluru said the growth means his fellow Indians and Hindus are less of an unusual sight here in the Bible Belt.

“Now they know we are Indian,” Kolluru said.

Members of the Hindu Association of Northwest Arkansas hope to give the public an up-close glimpse of the rituals and traditions of their ancient faith Saturday as they celebrate the opening of a new temple. The hours-long ceremony will include worship, the chanting of sacred Scripture and Indian cuisine.

The event coincides with Gita Jayanti, a holy day with special significance to Hindus. It celebrates the day when their sacred text, the Bhagavad-Gita, was revealed to the world.