Hindu Temples in the USA: A Guide to Their History, Locations, and Rituals
Hinduism has flourished in the United States over the past few decades, with a growing number of Hindu temples serving as spiritual and cultural centers for the community. These temples not only provide a place of worship but also preserve the rich traditions, rituals, and teachings of Hinduism. Many temples in the U.S. follow traditional Indian architectural styles and offer various religious services, including pujas, festivals, and educational programs.
Here is a detailed list of some of the most significant Hindu temples in the USA, their locations, history, architectural features, and religious services.
1. Sri Venkateswara Temple, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Location: 1230 McCully Drive, Penn Hills, Pittsburgh, PA 15235
Established: 1976
Architecture: Inspired by the Tirupati Venkateswara Temple in India, featuring South Indian Dravidian architecture.
Main Deity: Lord Venkateswara
Services & Rituals: Regular pujas, abhishekams, archana, and annual Brahmotsavam.
Temple Timings:
Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Saturday & Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Special Features: This is one of the oldest Hindu temples in North America and attracts devotees from all over the U.S.
2. Sri Lakshmi Temple, Ashland, Massachusetts
Location: 117 Waverly Street, Ashland, MA 01721
Established: 1990
Architecture: Traditional South Indian Dravidian-style architecture
Main Deity: Goddess Lakshmi
Services & Rituals: Daily pujas, special homas, weddings, and festivals like Navaratri and Diwali.
Temple Timings:
Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Saturday & Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Special Features: Offers Sanskrit and Hinduism classes for children and adults.
3. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Lilburn, Georgia
Location: 460 Rockbridge Road NW, Lilburn, GA 30047
Established: 2007
Architecture: Built with Italian marble and Turkish limestone, showcasing intricate carvings.
Main Deity: Bhagwan Swaminarayan
Services & Rituals: Aarti, satsang, spiritual discourses, and cultural programs.
Temple Timings:
Daily: 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Special Features: The temple is part of the global BAPS organization, promoting Hindu values and community service.
4. Murugan Temple of North America, Maryland
Location: 6300 Princess Garden Pkwy, Lanham, MD 20706
Established: 1999
Architecture: South Indian-style temple dedicated to Lord Murugan (Kartikeya).
Main Deity: Lord Murugan
Services & Rituals: Kavadi processions, abhishekams, and annual Thaipusam festival celebrations.
Temple Timings:
Daily: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Special Features: First temple in the U.S. dedicated to Lord Murugan.
5. Sri Meenakshi Temple, Pearland, Texas
Location: 17130 McLean Rd, Pearland, TX 77584
Established: 1977
Architecture: Modeled after the famous Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, India.
Main Deity: Goddess Meenakshi
Services & Rituals: Daily pujas, abhishekams, cultural programs, and community events.
Temple Timings:
Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Saturday & Sunday: 8:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Special Features: Hosts grand annual temple festivals and has an active cultural center.
6. Shiva Vishnu Temple, Livermore, California
Location: 1232 Arrowhead Avenue, Livermore, CA 94551
Established: 1986
Architecture: Dravidian-style South Indian temple with separate shrines for various deities.
Main Deities: Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu
Services & Rituals: Daily worship, special pujas for Shivratri and Krishna Janmashtami.
Temple Timings:
Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Saturday & Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Special Features: One of the largest temples in California, catering to a large Hindu population.
7. Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago, Illinois
Location: 10915 Lemont Road, Lemont, IL 60439
Established: 1977
Architecture: North and South Indian-style temples within one complex.
Main Deities: Rama, Krishna, Durga, Ganesha
Services & Rituals: Daily aartis, community classes, and cultural programs.
Temple Timings:
Daily: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Special Features: Hosts religious and spiritual discourses by renowned scholars.
8. Radha Krishna Temple, Dallas, Texas
Location: 1450 N. Watters Rd, Allen, TX 75013
Established: 2017
Architecture: Traditional North Indian-style temple.
Main Deities: Radha and Krishna
Services & Rituals: Bhajans, discourses, Gita sessions, and annual Janmashtami celebrations.
Temple Timings:
Daily: 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Special Features: Conducts yoga, meditation, and spirituality workshops.
9. Sri Siva Vishnu Temple, Lanham, Maryland
Location: 6905 Cipriano Rd, Lanham, MD 20706
Established: 1988
Architecture: South Indian Dravidian-style temple.
Main Deities: Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu
Services & Rituals: Daily pujas, temple festivals, and wedding ceremonies.
Temple Timings:
Daily: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Special Features: Largest temple in the Washington, D.C. area, serving a diverse Hindu community.
10. Malibu Hindu Temple, California
Location: 1600 Las Virgenes Canyon Rd, Calabasas, CA 91302
Established: 1981
Architecture: South Indian temple featuring white granite architecture.
Main Deity: Lord Venkateswara
Services & Rituals: Abhishekams, homas, and annual Brahmotsavam festival.
Temple Timings:
Daily: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Special Features: Frequently visited by celebrities and film personalities.
11. Sri Ganesha Temple, Nashville, Tennessee
Location: 527 Old Hickory Blvd, Nashville, TN 37209
Established: 1985
Architecture: South Indian-style temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha.
Main Deity: Lord Ganesha
Services & Rituals: Daily pujas, archana, homas, cultural classes, and annual Ganesha Chaturthi celebrations.
Temple Timings:
Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Special Features: One of the largest Ganesha temples in North America, serving a diverse Indian community.
12. Sri Bhaktha Anjaneya Temple, Maryland
Location: 4425 Muncaster Mill Road, Rockville, MD 20853
Established: 2010
Architecture: Traditional South Indian Dravidian-style architecture.
Main Deity: Lord Hanuman
Services & Rituals: Special Hanuman Jayanti celebrations, Sundarakanda recitations, and spiritual discourses.
Temple Timings:
Daily: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Special Features: One of the only temples in the U.S. dedicated primarily to Lord Hanuman.
13. Hindu Temple of Atlanta, Georgia
Location: 5851 Georgia Hwy 85, Riverdale, GA 30274
Established: 1990
Architecture: Traditional South Indian architecture with separate shrines for different deities.
Main Deities: Lord Balaji (Venkateswara) and Lord Shiva
Services & Rituals: Daily pujas, abhishekam, annual Brahmotsavam, and South Indian-style wedding services.
Temple Timings:
Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Saturday & Sunday: 8:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Special Features: One of the most well-known temples in the Southeastern U.S., with an active cultural center and educational classes.
14. Radha Madhav Dham, Austin, Texas
Location: 400 Barsana Rd, Austin, TX 78737
Established: 1990
Architecture: North Indian-style temple inspired by the Barsana Dham in India.
Main Deities: Radha and Krishna
Services & Rituals: Kirtan, bhajans, Krishna Janmashtami celebrations, and yoga programs.
Temple Timings:
Daily: 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM, 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Special Features: This temple is part of the worldwide Radha Madhav movement, offering spiritual teachings and retreats.
15. Hindu Temple Society of North America, New York
Location: 45-57 Bowne St, Flushing, NY 11355
Established: 1977
Architecture: Traditional South Indian Dravidian-style temple.
Main Deity: Ganesha
Services & Rituals: Daily pujas, Vedic classes, and Tamil New Year celebrations.
Temple Timings:
Daily: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Special Features: One of the most active Hindu temples in New York, offering community services and cultural programs.
16. Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, Chicago, Illinois
Location: 12N950 State Route 47, Hampshire, IL 60140
Established: 2002
Architecture: Inspired by the Sai Baba temple in Shirdi, India.
Main Deity: Sai Baba
Services & Rituals: Sai Satcharitra parayan, aarti, and community service events.
Temple Timings:
Daily: 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Special Features: A major center for Sai Baba devotees in the Midwest.
17. Shri Krishna Vrundavana, Houston, Texas
Location: 10228 Bailey Rd, Pearland, TX 77584
Established: 2010
Architecture: Traditional Udupi-style temple from Karnataka, India.
Main Deity: Lord Krishna
Services & Rituals: Daily pujas, bhajans, discourse on Bhagavad Gita, and Vedic education programs.
Temple Timings:
Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Saturday & Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Special Features: Promotes the Dvaita philosophy and teachings of Sri Madhvacharya.
18. Sri Sri Radha Govinda Temple (ISKCON New York), New York City
Location: 305 Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Established: 1966
Architecture: Traditional Vaishnava temple style.
Main Deities: Radha and Krishna
Services & Rituals: Daily kirtans, Bhagavad Gita lectures, and Krishna Janmashtami celebrations.
Temple Timings:
Daily: 4:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Special Features: First ISKCON temple in the U.S., founded by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
19. Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple, Aurora, Illinois
Location: 1145 Sullivan Rd, Aurora, IL 60506
Established: 1986
Architecture: Inspired by the Tirumala Tirupati temple in India.
Main Deity: Lord Venkateswara (Balaji)
Services & Rituals: Abhishekams, kalyanotsavam, and annual Brahmotsavam festival.
Temple Timings:
Daily: 8:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Special Features: One of the most prominent Balaji temples in the U.S.
20. Chinmaya Mission Washington Regional Center, Maryland
Location: 46 Norwood Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20905
Established: 1992
Architecture: A modern Hindu temple focusing on spiritual teachings.
Main Deity: Lord Krishna
Services & Rituals: Bhagavad Gita classes, meditation sessions, and youth programs.
Temple Timings:
Daily: 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Special Features: A strong emphasis on Hindu philosophy and Vedanta teachings.
Hindu temples in the U.S. have become significant centers for worship, cultural preservation, and community building. These temples cater to various sects of Hinduism, offering a space for devotees to practice rituals, celebrate festivals, and engage in educational and community activities. Many temples also provide Sanskrit and Hindu philosophy classes, helping younger generations stay connected to their roots.
Whether you're visiting for spiritual solace, cultural activities, or religious festivals, these temples serve as vital pillars of Hindu heritage in America.