டெஸ் மாயின்ஸில் இந்துகோவில் கும்பாபிஷேகம்

டெஸ் மாயின்ஸில் இந்துகோவில் கும்பாபிஷேகம்

Hindus celebrate tower's completion
By JUAN PEREZ Jr. • jperez3@dmreg.com • June 8, 2008

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Madrid, Ia. - Several dozen Hindus from central Iowa joined in front of a colorful Midwestern sunset to formally open the main gate of the Hindu Temple and Culture Center of Iowa on Saturday near Madrid.

The gate is marked by a 45-foot tower that serves as the entrance to the temple.

Carved by hand from concrete, the detailed tower depicts various stages of Hindu mythology.





Workers finished work on the tower late last week, though the temple was formally consecrated in 2005.

The temple is the first of its kind in the state.

Gov. Chet Culver helped celebrate the event. Temple priests greeted the governor with a blessing and ceremonial gifts to honor his presence.

"It feels great; this was much needed in the community," said Dr. Anil Sahai, the chairman of the Hindu Temple and Culture Center of Iowa.

Sahai estimated that there are 2,000 Indians in a 60-mile radius around Des Moines. Central Iowa's dense business landscape has made the area a home for growing numbers of Indians as demand has increased for skilled workers in the technology and science industries.

Culver's presence at the event underscored an important point for the center's board members. Having a place of worship for Hindus is one thing, Sahai said, but making inroads with the general public to teach them about Indian culture is one of the center's most important goals.

"We wanted our Iowans to learn about Hinduism, and there's no better way to learn about the Indian culture than to see the architecture and see how things are done," Sahai said.

Board members stressed that the temple was not only for the religious - it was a place for the community to come and share information.

"This helps us to learn some things both ways," said Ram Kalavala, one of the center's board members.

"When you come here, you're all the same in the eyes of God."