prasad1
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What do major enterprises such as Amazon have to do with a new place of worship in Berlin? The largest Hindu temple in Germany is due to open in the capital in the coming months.Vilwanathan Krishnamurthy can be described as a happy person. Almost 20 years ago, the 70-year-old began his voluntary work to build a Hindu temple in Berlin. Now, he stands proudly in Germany's late summer sun as he points out the features of the new building, explains the choices of colors and materials. He hopes that in November the massive, six-day-long temple opening celebration can take place. "We're waiting for the gods," he told DW with a smile.
Almost 20 years - that is a long time for a construction project, even in Berlin. But it also explains a lot about how the people referred to as "guest workers" eventually become Berliners and why the German capital is growing more religiously diverse.
Krishnamurthy describes to DW how he came with his wife to what was then West Berlin almost 50 years ago and found work with electrical company AEG "for three Deutschmarks an hour" (today, that would equate to about E1.50, $1.62). Then he founded an association with the purpose of building a temple. This temple, he said, "is a dream for me. As a Hindu, I can also celebrate everything at home, but I cannot celebrate it alongside other people. It requires a space to celebrate with others and friends and enjoy doing so."
Almost 20 years - that is a long time for a construction project, even in Berlin. But it also explains a lot about how the people referred to as "guest workers" eventually become Berliners and why the German capital is growing more religiously diverse.
Krishnamurthy describes to DW how he came with his wife to what was then West Berlin almost 50 years ago and found work with electrical company AEG "for three Deutschmarks an hour" (today, that would equate to about E1.50, $1.62). Then he founded an association with the purpose of building a temple. This temple, he said, "is a dream for me. As a Hindu, I can also celebrate everything at home, but I cannot celebrate it alongside other people. It requires a space to celebrate with others and friends and enjoy doing so."
