Rattles was in the headline of Chris Markhams front-page article Wednesday about efforts of members of the Sri Venkata Krishna congregation to build a permanent home. Hindu temple plan rattles Chandler area, it said. Rattles seemed like a discordant word we cannot often apply to Hindus.Last May, I wrote about how Hindus had purchased a 1,500-square foot home in north Tempe and had converted it to the Ramakrishna Monastery, affiliated with the Vedanta Society of Southern California. As quietly as Hindus pray and hold rites, I am certain there are still people in that neighborhood who dont have a clue that there is a monastery there.Markhams article told how the Chandler Krishnas want to erect a 7,500-foot religious and cultural center with a 12th century design on a lot in what has long been a horse-property neighborhood near Dobson and Galveston roads. The temple is said to be modeled after a Hindu temple in Udupi, India, and it would be spiritual home for 30 to 40 families. A member said the temple would not normally have gatherings of significant numbers of people as churches have, but often just about 10 people or fewer. A half-dozen times a year, during special festivals, up to 200 families may show up. What church of significant size doesnt have that many on a regular basis?A facility manager and two priests will live there full time, and when the founder in India comes to town, hell stay there. The article said more than half the 60 who turned up for a neighborhood meeting to explain the plan indicated opposition to the temple. They dont want anything that isnt residential in the hood. Raghu Nanden from the congregation noted surprise at the opposition and reiterated that there wont be that many Hindu folks around that often. The project has a ways to go through the citys approval process.More than 40 people offered comments after the story on the Tribune website. Its heartening that many came to the support of the Krisnas, saying that such religious diversity is healthy and Hinduism is a peaceful religion. People in neighborhoods always complain about what will be next to them, one person opined, adding that complaints can be justified if the city rezoned it after neighbors had bought their land. The person added that Hinduism is a very peaceful religion, which promotes peace at all cost and isnt known for bombers. Other said a temple would be a benefit compared to a convenience store or liquor store. Some said the objection is just typical human fear of the unknown. Others went to their reference books and to online sites for information to share about the religion. But the negative comments were predictable and often cruel. One said the religion is racist and beset with the social caste system, and something you have to be born into. One writer said hed been to India and called it a dump, then insisted that if people were polled, most would say they dont really want to integrate 1,000 different cultures into this country, but thats whats being shoved down our throats. As always, there were advisers on where the temple should be built. One said it could be next to the huge flying saucer religious complex in Mesa, alluding to the Living Word Bible Church, which has three round, brown domes. That writer suggested the Hindus would get along great with them as neighbors and Mesa could become sort of a religious Mecca for all.An Apache Junction writer said the Hindus would be welcomed to bring their project there. Sri Venkata Krishna is not the first congregation in the area to face early opposition to its plan. Certainly, if zoning is in order and its site plan meets the tests of the city, it will likely go forward. That their religion is one most know little about wont likely be a factor in the outcome.

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