Pilgrims flocked to the Hindu temple in Morrisville this weekend to celebrate the installation of three new deities there.
Trilok Pillai of the Hindu Society of North Carolina says about 1,000 people came to honor Lord Jagannath, who is considered by some Hindus to be a form of the protector god Vishnu. Jagannath was installed with his brother and sister deities, Balahadra and Subhadra.
Pillai says the temple was already well attended, but he expects the new installations will draw more faithful.
"It is an opportunity for the people who are living in North Carolina. They can come and visit this, because there (are) no other deities of Jagannath in North Carolina."
Pillai says he expects another influx of visitors on New Year's Day.
"Every new year people come and they start their year with the blessings of the gods, so they come visit the temple."