THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 7, 1994 TAG: 9410050145
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 30 lines
Many Chesapeake residents were probably not even aware of the existence of the Hindu Temple on Dominion Boulevard until it was destroyed Friday in a pre-dawn fire.
But for hundreds of Hindu families from throughout Hampton Roads, the temple had been a place of worship and a center of spiritual and cultural life since 1990. It was to be the site for a joyous observance of Diwali, the Hindu new year, later this month.
Despite valiant efforts by the Chesapeake Fire Department, the unexplained blaze left the attractive, modern building in a charred heap, ruining several cherished religious shrines imported from India. Thankfully, the lives of the temple's priest and his wife, who were sleeping inside, were spared.
With compassion for the tragic loss that members of the temple feel, the entire community - Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Muslims and others - extends sympathy and good wishes to them as they recover from their heartbreaking experience and undertake the difficult work of rebuilding. by CNB