Local Hindus, Jews Memorialize Mumbai Attack Victims

December 1, 2008

Author: Ray Reyes And Julie Busch

Source: Tampa Bay Online

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27990087/

The memorial service was performed in the traditional Hindu language Sanskrit as the fire god received offerings of flowers and butter.

About 50 people attending the Shanti Homa ceremony at Tampa's Hindu Temple of Florida today then continued to pray for the people killed last week during the attacks in Mumbai.

At least 174 people were killed during the 60-hour siege on India's financial capital. The gunmen who targeted foreigners and residents are linked to a Pakastani militant group, officials say.

"There are bad people everywhere," said Radha Dwarkanath, who attended today's Shanti Homa ceremony, which means "peace" and "fire offering."

Also today, Chabad of Pinellas County held a memorial service in Palm Harbor for Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife, Rivkah. The couple established a Jewish center in Mumbai in 2003 and was slain during the attacks.