Source: Daytona Beach News-Journal

http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Lifestyle/Headlines/lifeREL01031106.htm

On March 11, 2006 Daytona Beach News-Journal reported, "Suryakant 'Sam' Patel watched coverage of President Bush's visit to India on a satellite television behind the reception counter at his Ocean Holiday Motel. Besides keeping in touch with his homeland, Patel wants to bring a fixture of his native culture to Daytona Beach. Patel is president of the Hindu Cultural Association of Daytona Beach, which has bought a vacant lot on east Madison Avenue to build the city's first Hindu temple... Currently, Hindus organize a monthly worship service at the Schnebly Recreation Center on North Atlantic Avenue. The group does not have a Hindu priest, but Patel said he and others take turns in leading worship services. Some also travel to a Hindu temple in Casselberry, which was completed in 2003. Hindus want a local place of worship because they like to visit a temple daily for prayer, said Kirit Patel, a fellow member of the Hindu Association... Because the organization has grown to include more than 300 families, members also feel like they need their own place, Sam Patel said... The association would like to begin construction in July."