Hindu Temples in USA ~ Malibu Temple, California
Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple / Malibu temple in Calabasas, California - USA
Last weekend, we had been on a whirlwind trip to Los Angeles, California and as anticipated, it was pleasant escaping the freezing weather and snow of Chicago for at least a couple of days. Though we were there for a different reason and could not do any sight seeing, we were able to visit Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple located in Calabasas. The temple is nestled in the beautiful hills of Malibu in the Santa Monica Mountains and because of its geographic location, it is also known as the Malibu Temple.
The architecture is traditional, south Indian style and the atmosphere is very serene. Though the temple is smaller compared to the ones I visit locally, it reminded me of the temples in India and I very much loved it's ambience. I was pleasantly surprised to notice several outdoor shrines in the open courtyard that house Lord Ganesha (the smaller shrine to the right side in the picture), Rama Parivar (the smaller shine on the left side), Padmavathi and Bhoodevi. Owing to the bad weather, Chicago land temple deities have to be in an enclosure, with coat - shoe racks inside for the devotees. Here in Malibu temple, we could leave our shoes outside and there was also facility to wash our feet outside if we had wished.
The temple consists of two complexes. One with Lord Venkateswara as the presiding deity and the other deities I mentioned above. Lord Shiva is the presiding deity of the other complex with some more deities. Here I found many empty enclaves and so probably there are going to be some more additions to that list. This complex is somewhat large and a wedding party was just leaving when we visited there.
Mukhadwaram with the dwarapalakas and the dhwajasthambam - The main entrance to temple
After worshipping and receiving theertha - prasadams from the priest who was present there, we visited this adjoining building. Here, they have a small kitchen with dining hall, restrooms and a classroom where kids were getting ready for their Sunday dance lessons.
Though they don't have a full-fledged kitchen as many developed temples do, they were selling sweets. The special for the day was a box of pongal with some sambhar and yogurt rice sold at a minimal price.
Photography inside the temple is strictly prohibited.
Location:
1600 Las Virgenes Canyon Rd
Calabasas, CA 91302
14 comments:
what a coincidence, we were at the temple too after a visit to the beach :)) lucky for u that we had some excellent weather that weekend! I have a sweet surprise waiting for u on my blog: http://recipegrabbag.blogspot.com/2010/12/showcasing-awards-and-answering-tag.html
i love this temple...so calm and peaceful place..lovely sight seeing spot too.lovely pics...thanks for sharing....we would visit this place often as i was in LA for year and half
This is one of the best temples I have visited in US, of course second to the venkateswara temple of Pittsburgh. Beautiful pictures.
lovely u must have felt as if u r in india itself.the temple looks wonderful with the gopuram.
Beautiful construction, looks soo calm and peaceful place..
I had been there on my US trip.. I was a nice visit..
Looks like a must-see temple. Thanks for the info Suma!
Lovely temple...
Very beautiful shots..
R,
I totally agree with you. The weather at L.A was heavenly that weekend compared to here. We probably would not have complained even we had 50 deg F instead of 70. We too went to beach, after the temple visit. Thanks for the invitation. :)
Hey Friends I have heard of this magnificent Balaji Alarm clock, it chants the “Vina Venkatesham Nanatho Nanathah Sada Venkatesham Smarami...” mantra at the time of alarm in morning and it also have the Balaji statue on one side.
I got one for me and it is really awesome. You can get it at http://www.shetra.com
wow !! its wonderful and interesting.
i like this temple
Thank you for sharing this temple Information. I love to visit there and one of my best favourite temple. For more temples in USA visit: Indian Temples in brea
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