Twin Cities Hindu temple remembers Mumbai victims

Nayana Ramakrishnan
Nayana Ramakrishnan, president of the Hindu Temple of Minnesota, stands outside the temple. She says the Hindu community is still trying to understand the events last week in Mumbai.
MPR Photo/Curtis Gilbert

Hundreds of worshippers attended a special prayer service this weekend to remember the victims of the Mumbai terror attacks.

The rampage last week by gunmen at 10 sites across the Indian city of Mumbai left at least 174 people dead and more than 230 others wounded.

The prayer session at the Hindu Society of Minnesota temple in Maple Grove, Minn., focused on healing and non-violence.

Nayana Ramakrishnan, president of the temple, says many people in the Hindu community are still absorbing the tragic news.

Visitors
The Hindu Temple in Maple Grove, Minn., held a special service to remember the victims of the Mumbai terror attacks.
MPR Photo/Tom Crann

"Many things don't hit you until later, and you are still engrossed in the events as they are happening," said Ramkrishnan. "But when I thought about it, when it was almost coming to a conclusion, everyone is family at this time. I think we all grieve for and mourn for everybody's family."

Ramakrishnan says the temple would like to organize an interfaith service with Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist groups. Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to contact the Hindu Society of Minnesota temple.