DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA, March 11, 2006: Suryakant “Sam” Patel watched coverage of President Bush’s visit to India on a satellite television behind the reception counter at his Ocean Holiday Motel. Besides keeping in touch with his homeland, Patel wants to bring a fixture of his native culture to Daytona Beach. Patel is president of the Hindu Cultural Association of Daytona Beach, which has bought a vacant lot on east Madison Avenue to build the city’s first Hindu temple. While the association has yet to hire an architect, members said they would like to build a distinctive building with a domed roof and statues of Hindu Gods. Currently, Hindus organize a monthly worship service at the Schnebly Recreation Center on North Atlantic Avenue. The group does not have a Hindu priest, but Patel said he and others take turns in leading worship services. Some also travel to a Hindu temple in Casselberry, which was completed in 2003. Hindus want a local place of worship because they like to visit a temple daily for prayer, said Kirit Patel, a fellow member of the Hindu Association. “A lot of people like to pray early in the morning, (especially senior citizens),” said Kirit Patel, who is the associate vice president for fiscal affairs and chief accountant for Bethune-Cookman College. Local Hindus represent a “very diverse group,” said Kirit Patel. The association includes educators, business owners and physicians. Like Sam Patel, about 30 percent to 40 percent of the membership is involved in the hotel industry. Because the organization has grown to include more than 300 families, members also feel like they need their own place, Sam Patel said. The association purchased a 52,000-square-foot lot on East Madison Avenue in December, according to Volusia County property appraiser records. Hindus are still raising money for the building. They would like to raise at least US$500,000, Sam Patel said.
The Hindu Association is planning its Holi celebration at SunSplash Park on Tuesday. The springtime celebration commemorates the legend of an Indian prince’s triumph over Holika, a fire god. It’s considered a time of merry-making and cutting loose. “It’s a colorful tradition,” Sam Patel said. Hindus will light a bonfire at approximately 5:30 p.m. and enjoy vegetarian treats. The general public is welcome. The event is free, but donations are welcome.