Came here for the America 250 Years Celebration…read more Plenty of parking next to the temple. Had a great time here. The light show was fantastic! The music that accompanied the show was awesome. Very upbeat. It matched the light show perfectly! Had a blast watching the lights and music blended well together. It was a very fun experience. Glad we were able to be here and enjoyed the America 250 Years Celebration. Check out some of the videos I have posted. Make sure you have the sound on. Enjoy!

Helpful Tips for First-Time Visitors…read more Admission/parking are completely free; you only pay for the cafe. Here is what we learned, especially if visiting for architecture. Arrival, Check-In, & Dress CodeGroup Check-In: One person acts as leader, checks the party in at the visitor center, and gets a tracking wristband. Staff: Our group wore summer dresses and shorts. The staff was incredibly welcoming, respectful, and comforting. Sarongs: Knees/shoulders must be covered; no tank tops. Free, one-size sarongs are available at a table to the LEFT of check-in (near the Men's restroom). Drop them in the return basket when done.The Footwear TrickShoes must be removed before climbing the entrance stairs. The stone steps get intensely hot under the sun (reaching ~120°F even on 90°F days). My bare feet were in so much pain that my smartwatch HR spiked instantly!The Fix: Bring thick socks before entering. Walk directly on the white marble stripes by the handrails--white marble reflects heat and stays much cooler. Experience: It was eye-watering hot before I realized the temperature difference midway up. I was stepping on my daughter's sarong to save my feet while yelling at her not to trip! Learn from me and use the white tracks from step one. Hidden Architectural TreasuresThe interior marble carvings (Italian shrine stone, Indian floors) are breathtaking. Each tier tells a story: Floor Level: Peacocks, fish, and turtles are at eye level on column bases. Water creatures represent the foundation of the world, anchoring the temple, while peacocks show nature's beauty. High Corners: Look way up where pillars meet ceiling arches for the alligator-like 'Makara' (mythical guardian). Its open mouth reminds visitors to leave behind their sharp worldly egos. Hidden Pedestal: Near Ganesha's feet is a tiny carving of a rat. Representing human restlessness, the still rat symbolizes conquering busy thoughts to find peace. Ceiling Domes: A massive lotus blooms downward from the center (spiritual enlightenment), supported by a tier of carved artisans honoring selfless service. Cafe & Snack ShopKeep these flavor profiles in mind at the vegetarian cafe: Spiced White Yogurt: Skip it entirely. It does not taste like chai; it tasted like spiced ethanol and almost made me sick. Other Drinks: The mango and green yogurt drinks are much better. Savory Food: Cheese pizza is available. The Pea/Potato Empanadas (Kachoris) are tasty but extremely spicy Samosas are mild and taste great with both red and green sauces. Sweets: They don't have Baklava. The staff recommended a nutty chocolate fudge sweet that tasted like dry Cocoa Puffs--decent, but not sweet or chewy. General AdviceTiming: Visit early morning or near sunset to avoid the blistering midday sun on the stairs. Accessibility: If the stairs look too intimidating, ask the staff for directions to the indoor elevator.

Good temple Well maintained…read more Super convenient location - Brea downtown. Serene atmosphere, very peaceful and quiet

First time and love it. Love their foods inside the cafeteria. They also have a nice grocery store…read moretoo.

Disappointing Welcoming Experience…read more While the temple itself is a peaceful and sacred place, the experience at the front reception unfortunately takes away from that serenity. The lady working at the reception desk consistently appears frustrated and unwelcoming whenever visitors enter. A temple is a place of peace where everyone should feel welcome. However, her attitude makes it feel less like a public place of worship and more like you are walking into her private home uninvited. A little warmth and a welcoming demeanor from the front desk would go a long way in preserving the respectful and positive atmosphere this temple deserves.

I've always had a love-doubt kind of relationship with God, but Lord Shiva has always felt…read moremysterious and fascinating to me--the way He's depicted is captivating. We've ended up visiting Siva Kameswari Temple in Costa Mesa a couple of times, and each visit brings a sense of peace. Parking is free, which is convenient, and sometimes you even get to hear live traditional music being played inside, adding to the spiritual vibe. Another unique touch is its location--right next to Santa Ana airport--so you can watch planes land up close. If you have kids, they might especially enjoy that part.

This Hindu Temple is absolutely beautiful and peaceful…read more Took some time a while back for personal reflection at the Hindu Temple in Malibu, a truly beautiful and peaceful sanctuary. It's a SMALLER Hindu Temple with beautiful architecture, do don't expect it to a big temple that you will spend a few any hours there 1 hour is definitely enough for you to walk around and check them out. You have to take off your shoes upon entering the outdoor Temple. The last time I went, there was no fee to enter and no parking fee to the temple. (I read recent visitors got charged and a $10 parking fee so call them first to find out). The temple could also be close for a special events, so do plan ahead accordingly. Take the 10 West all the way down. It's about 25 miles out from the beginning of PCH on the 10 W.

If you are looking for peace, stunning architecture, and a traditional temple experience, the…read moreMalibu Hindu Temple is a must-visit. Tucked away beautifully in the mountains, the natural surroundings immediately bring a sense of calm the moment you arrive. The architecture is breathtaking--the Gopuram (temple tower) is intricately and beautifully carved, making you feel as though you've been transported straight to India. Inside, the temple is split between the upper and lower levels, housing beautifully maintained idols of Lord Venkateshwara, Lord Shiva, and various Goddesses. The atmosphere is deeply spiritual; the priests perform the rituals wonderfully, and hearing the chanting of the Vedic mantras adds a powerful, divine energy to the space. A few practical highlights: Parking & Facilities: Parking is completely free and accessible, and the restrooms are exceptionally clean. Cafeteria: They have a fantastic cafeteria on-site offering delicious Indian snacks and hot coffee--perfect for a quick bite after your darshan. Whether you are looking to pray or simply want to appreciate the incredible architecture and serene mountain views, this temple is a beautiful sanctuary. Highly recommended! Note: Dress code applicable and have to remove shoes and enter the temple.

The closest temple near our house, beautiful ones and it's a full blessing place…read more I came on Sunday mostly with my husband, the community are really kind and they greet me well, the seniors are always been my favorite in here because they smiled a lot and even talks to me. I love this temple and temple is really a blessing place for me.

Enjoyed kirtan on weekends. Friendly atmosphere, pundit and Aarti is so peaceful and mind feeling…read moreclose to God

Where else can you find all of these Dieties in only location and under one roof? This is a temple…read morefor the modern devotee and it really allows for you to experience the core representatives of all of Hinduism, Puranas and Vedas in one sitting. This temple celebrates Sankranthi, Dussehra, Diwali, Siva Ratri, you name it. In other scenarios, it also pays attention to holy days such as Pradosham, Guru Poornima, etc. Most of it all, any major celebrations always mean that there is Maha Prasadam. Who doesn't want a cultural plate of tasty goodness?! Whether it is for a hearty prayer, or a touristy, culture-curious drop-in, I would highly suggest a visit here. It will leave you with a newfound sense of interest and further curiosity.

Wonderful people who hosted COVID vaccinations. They were very kind and really cared about…read moreeveryone. They volunteered in the hot sun for hours. Great group of people for sure

Spent the day at Hsi Lai Temple to slow down, clear my mind, and enjoy a peaceful vegetarian meal…read more Hsi Lai Temple was founded in 1988 by Fo Guang Shan, one of the largest Buddhist organizations in the world. It's also one of the biggest Buddhist temples in the United States and is known for its beautiful traditional Chinese architecture and peaceful surroundings. One thing to keep in mind is that photography isn't allowed in many areas of the temple, so be sure to watch for the posted signs and respect the rules. Before heading out, we stopped by the dining hall for lunch. The vegetarian buffet is just $10 per person and you can go back for more if you'd like. The food is simple, comforting, and filling. Just remember to take only what you can finish and avoid wasting food. It's always a peaceful place to visit, whether you're here to pray, take a walk, or simply enjoy a quiet afternoon. Hsi Lai Temple 3456 Glenmark Dr, Hacienda Heights, CA 91745

My mom wanted to do a good luck prayer for the LUNAR NEW YEAR so I searched on Yelp for the nearest…read moretemple to us and found Hsi Lai Temple!... FIRST OF ALL: WOW!! What a gorgeous and magnificent temple this is!! It has about 2 floors of parking and the temple also has additional floors to go up as well. So be expected to walk up quite a few amounts of stairs!! FIRST FLOOR: We did a prayer with a donation and it came with some apples and other assortments in a red gift bag. The red gift bag required a donation of $20 per bag so me and my mom bought 2. Then, their were some nice ladies there who helped guide is on what to do. We prayed in front of 5 statues and posted the red gift bags in the middle... SECOND FLOOR: This is where we can do another prayer with 1 incense. And this is also where the restrooms were as well so make sure you don't back down to the first floor because the RESTROOMS are on the second floor!!! PARKING: Plenty of parking. There are 2 floors available for parking!! This temple really transported us to another country!! It was also very peaceful and quiet!! SATU HSI LAI TEMPLE!!!

A spiritually peaceful place, just a few miles from Chino State park, tucked away in Carbon Canyon…read morearea. Maharaj Amitji patiently helped us navigate a shraddha pooja for my mother in law. It was simple and yet it gave us the peace of mind we needed. Living so far away from home is difficult, especially when we loose our loved ones. To be able to visit, and pray at, a temple that brings peace and tranquility is precious.

I enjoy this place very much, the monks are very kind and generous. Been going there off and on…read morethe past 5 years and it's always great. Authentic Hindu temple, brahmacharya is a great cook and musician and swamiji is fully self realized and great to be around. Please visit you will enjoy

First time visiting this gorgeous Vedanta monastery . Beautiful grounds; meditation room that just…read morefeels so good to get quiet in; library and meeting room where Gerald Heard, Aldous Huxley, Huston Smiths , and other modern seekers sat and talked and thought and tripped and wrote. Lovely little gift shop where you can get their honey from hives on campus; I bought myself a little Tibetan Tingsha bells (they look like tiny thick cymbals connected with a leather thong). I will return to hike the shrine trail for walking meditation

Listen up! Do you want to know where to buy the most delicious honey ?…read more The Ramakrishna Monastery has their own bee hives, clover, and wildflower honey! It is the most delicious honey that I've ever found! I get the wildflower with the honeycomb inside, and by extra bottles to give as gifts. They sell the honey in their store, and the proceeds help support the monastery. Today, while purchasing honey, we had a Swami teach us about "Chaitanya". We learned that Sanskrit means "consciousness," "awareness," or "life force." It can also mean "energy," "enthusiasm," or "intelligence". It was a beautiful ride down living Oak Canyon road. There is a beautiful hiking trail in this area as well. Feeling very fortunate that we have so much stuff to do, and learn about here in Orange County!