Hindu Temple in California Expands to Accommodate Shiva

June 6, 1998

Source: Los Angeles Times

On June 6, 1998, the Los Angeles Times published an article on the expansion project of the Venkateshwara Hindu Temple in Malibu, CA. The 15 year old temple is adding another wing to its seven-acre complex to house stone-carved statues of Shiva and two other deities. The temple is named for a deity who is said to be a manifestation of Vishnu. Housing both Vishnu and Shiva is uncommon in India, but more common in the United States. Nadadur Vardhan, secretary of the Hindu Temple Society of Southern California, stated that, "our philosophy and approach is to satisfy all Hindus as well as other Americans." An estimated 200,000 Hindus live in Southern California.