Introduction to Hindu Temple of Atlanta
The Hindu Temple of Atlanta is a grand temple complex constructed in 1986 on a sprawling 77 acre site in Riverdale, Georgia. It is managed by the Hindu Temple of Atlanta Society.
The temple is built in the classical Dravidian style of temple architecture native to South India. Intricately carved granite and sandstone were sourced from India to recreate the splendor of Chola and Pandya era temples.
Lord Shiva is the primary deity enshrined within the garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum) in the form of a majestic 13 feet Shivling weighing over 9000 pounds. However, shrines to major Hindu gods like Rama, Krishna, Ganesha are also present.
Location and Accessibility
The Hindu Temple of Atlanta is located at 5851 GA-85, Riverdale, GA 30274. This is situated just 15 miles south of downtown Atlanta in Clayton County.
The temple can be easily accessed by road. It is close to Interstate 75 and just 5 miles from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
MARTA buses 102 and 116 directly connect the temple from airport. For visitors reliant on public transport, the closest metro station is Lakewood/Ft. McPherson station, about 5 miles away.
The spread out campus has plenty of parking space available for visitors arriving by car. The convenient location makes Hindu Temple of Atlanta a popular place for Hindu weddings and events.
Dravidian Architectural Style
Staying true to its South Indian inspirations, the Hindu Temple of Atlanta is a stellar example of classical Dravidian Hindu architecture.
The temple's 156 feet tall rajagopuram (gate tower) dominates Riverdale's skyline just as gopurams do in Southern Indian temple complexes. The carved granite pillars, ornate metal grillwork and fresco paintings recreate the ageless beauty of Chola and Pandya architectural style.
The temple campus isalso dotted with smaller shrines, tree-shaded colonnades, vast assembly halls (mandapams), and cascading fountains. The traditional planning based on geometric principles called vastu-shastra is evident.
The elaborate carvings, paintings and sculptures depicting major Hindu gods transport visitors to Tamil Nadu's living temple heritage now replicated in Georgia.
Main Shrines and Deities
The Hindu Temple of Atlanta houses resplendent shrines dedicated to various Hindu gods and goddesses.
The innermost garbha griha holds the imposing 13 feet Shivling as the temple's presiding deity. The Shivling was consecrated through an elaborate ceremony called Kumbhabhishekam.
Flanking the Nataraja Sabha main hall are shrines to Hindu god Ganesha known here as Pillaiyar, and his brother Lord Subramanya. Goddesses Durga and Lakshmi are worshipped in the Shakti and Mahalakshmi shrines.
Lord Rama, goddess Sita and his brother Lakshmana are enshrined together in the Sri Ram shrine. The other shrines house Radha-Krishna, Brahma, Saraswati, Navagrahas, Shiva's cosmic dance and more.
Intricately Carved Pillars
Like any Dravidian temple, the inside mandapams contain skillfully carved stone pillars holding up the ceiling. Each pillar is octagonal with incredibly detailed sculptures running along the edges.
The carvings showcase gods, mythical creatures, dancers, musicians, flowers, and characters from Hindu epics. Just one circular pillar has 108 consecutive images carved on it. The temple is a museum of Hindu iconography carved in stone.
In the main Nataraja hall, the bronze Nataraja statue depicting Shiva's cosmic dance is another artistic highlight. The creative pillars exemplify the temple's exquisite stonework mastery.
Fresco Paintings and Artwork
The walls and ceilings of the various halls are adorned with exquisite fresco paintings embellished with semiprecious stones. These vibrant frescoes illustrate stories from Hindu mythology.
For instance, the Rama Padam hall has moving frescoes detailing major events of the Ramayana. The walls in the Shiva sanctuary depict the legends of Lingodbhavar and Dakshinamurthy. Intricate oil paintings of the 63 Nayanars saints also grace the walls as examples of Hindu artistic excellence.
Daily Rituals and Worship Ceremony
Per Hindu traditions, temple priests perform elaborate worship rituals every day to the deities. The day begins with a morning aarti at dawn when the deities are woken up to the ringing of bells and conch.
This is followed by kalasarchana that involves detailed bathing, dressing, garlanding and feeding of the deities. Chants from the Vedas, bhajans and music accompany the rituals. The midday offerings, evening arati and final sleep ceremony are also carried out with devotion. Visitors can witness these ceremonies on any day.
Cultural Events and Activities
The Hindu Temple of Atlanta celebrates all major Hindu festivals with great fervor along with regular cultural programs.
Grand Maha Shivaratri celebrations happen in February - March with the entire temple lit up. Janmashtami sees enthusiastic midnight celebrations for Lord Krishna's birth. For Navaratri and Diwali, the temple is decked up with thousands of colorful lights.
Cultural activities through the year include classical Indian dance recitals, language classes, yoga sessions, Vedic chanting classes and more. The community atmosphere makes it a vibrant site of Hindu culture.
Weddings at the Temple
The Hindu Temple of Atlanta is one of the most sought-after venues to host traditional Hindu weddings in Georgia.
The elaborately carved marriage halls provide a majestic backdrop for ceremonies like baraat, jaimala, sindoor and saptapadi. The temple society offers tailor-made services for conducting weddings including catering and decor.
Many Hindu couples, including interracial couples, prefer the temple for its authentic ambiance, experienced priests and large gathering capacity.
Why Visit Hindu Temple of Atlanta?
Here are the top reasons for Hindus and non-Hindus to visit this architectural marvel:
- Admire the acres-wide Dravidian architecture rarely seen outside India with towering gopurams, carved pillars and fresco paintings.
- Attend daily Hindu rituals in the main shrines performed by knowledgeable priests.
- Marvel at the exquisite stone carvings and bronze statues of Hindu gods inside.
- Find inner peace in the serene atmosphere while strolling through tree-lined gardens and mini shrines.
- Participate in magnificent Hindu festivals like Diwali, Holi celebrated on a grand community scale.
- Savor the delicious prasadham lunch served daily with authentic temple cuisine recipes.
- Learn more about Hinduism's rich mythology and traditions through artwork, galleries and temple library resources.
- Experience a major Hindu wedding ceremony in full traditional grandeur.
Conclusion
The magnificent Hindu Temple of Atlanta is a must-visit place of worship and vibrant cultural center for Hindus based in Georgia and beyond. Modeled on India's ancient South Indian temples, its stunning architecture, carvings, paintings and rituals immerse you in Hindu heritage. Make time to explore this unique replication of India's glorious temples on foreign soil.