Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple

Spanish Fork, Utah

While traveling in Utah this past spring, I visited the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, located just outside of Salt Lake City. 

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According to Atlas Obscura, Charu Das first visited Utah in 1975, when he traveled to BYU to sell books for the Society. Falling in love with the landscape, he and his wife eventually returned to Utah to settle permanently and build a temple to minister to the underrepresented population of Hindus.

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The Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple was constructed in 1998. Modeled after the famous Kusum Sarovar Temple in Mathura, India, it is the only Rajasthani-style building in the US.

The gracious home features a 50′ temple dome, 108 spires, marble statues of the deities, carved teak altar, paintings depicting Sri Krishna’s many pastimes, ornate details at every turn, and majestic 360 degree views of the Wasatch Mountains.

In addition to the hilltop temple, the grounds contain a large natural amphitheater with room for thousands of congregants to gather.  

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Since it opened the temple has attracted devotees, seekers, and the merely curious to participate in the annual Holi festival, visit the llamas and cows in the animal park, eat lunch at the vegetarian buffet, or even enjoy the Sunday Love Feast.

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The Holi Festival, known to most as the Festival of Colors, is a particular draw, becoming one of the largest such festivals outside India, with thousands of people showing up to throw brightly colored sand at each other and take extraordinarily colorful profile pictures.

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The temple grounds were surrounded by beautiful mountains & scenery. The soothing sounds of the water fountain & cooing peacocks could be heard in the background. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the temple and left feeling relaxed and lighter.

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