The Krishna in Spanish Fork Utah where the annual Festival of India is held
To the east of the temple visitors gather to watch Indian Dancers and Musicians.
The crowd watches a dancer. Later they will enjoy an abridged dramatic rendition of the story of Ramachandra's defeat of the 10 headed demon Ravana.
The dancer's motions often have specific meanings that in combination form a prayer or story.
The temple grounds to the south-east of the temple. On the far side of the pond is a 25 - 30 foot image of the 10 headed demon.
Near the pond is a statue possibly representing Ramachandra or Rama, a legendary king who they believe was an incarnation or avatar of the god Vishnu.
The pond has goldfish and some very large Koi.
A closer view of the image of the 10 headed demon Ravana on the far side of the pond.
There are dozens of llamas, who were surprisingly patient with the throngs of strangers.
This mother llama was a little protective of her baby, but not aggressive.
And elephant statue at the base of the temple stairs.
The stairs to the upper story of the temple.
People crowd the upper level of the temple for a birds eye view of the proceedings.
The interior of the temple where their authorities explain their beliefs and share their wisdom.
The shrine in the upper level of the temple.
The beautiful wood carvings near the upper story doors of the temple depicts Ramachundra and his wife Sita, who are central to the festival.
On the lower level of the temple there is a kitchen serving Indian, vegetarian foods and a shop selling Indian clothing and goods. Here there are more images of Rama and Sita.
The sun begins to set.
Another dancer performs a prayer through motion and music.
Another look at the 10 headed demon Ravana before night falls. At dusk, the dramatic retelling of Ramachandra's defeat of Ravana begins.
At the end of the play, the character of Ramachandra steps off of the stage into the audience. The audience rises and follows him to the pond where he fires flaming darts at Ravana.
The 10 headed demon is burned to the ground as participants cheer and throw rocks at his flaming image.
Ravana represents for them the evil inside of each, and by joining Rama in his war against the demon and defeating him, they symbolically defeat their own personal wickedness.
After the defeat of Ravana by Rama the Good Karma band leads the crowd in chanting the Krishna Mantra.
The crowd chants along, some of them unaware that the Mantra is a form if worship, which the believers in Krishna believe imparts power and intelligence simply through its repetition.
