Visit Malibu Hindu Temple: A Hidden Gem in The Santa Monica Mountains

Malibu Hindu Temple is one of the most unique places you can visit in Calabasas. This temple is actually one of the largest Hindu temples in the western hemisphere. It was built in 1981 in the traditional South Indian style and is owned and operated by the Hindu Temple Society of Southern California.

Visiting Malibu Hindu Temple in Calabasas

If you’re looking for things to do near Malibu, consider planning a visit to the Malibu Hindu Temple to admire its captivating architecture and intricate carvings that the building has been decorated with.

Visitors of all faiths are welcome to wander through the temple and explore the temple grounds. Outside, visitors can enjoy spaces provided for meditation and picnics.

What To Expect Visiting Malibu Hindu Temple

Hidden in Malibu Canyon is Malibu Hindu Temple, an exquisite building that was built by artisans from India. This remarkable temple is modeled after the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati, India – an ancient sanctuary that is often referred to as the Hindu Vatican.

Visiting Malibu Hindu Temple

The temple grounds contain two huge areas; an upper complex where Lord Venkateswara sits as the presiding deity, and a lower complex where Lord Shiva is the presiding deity.

Before entering the temple grounds, you will need to remove your shoes. Once you have done so, approach the temple’s spectacular palm tree lined entrance and climb the marble stairs.

Upon entering the temple grounds, you’ll step onto an expansive tiled plaza where you will be invited to explore the temple’s main attraction, an elevated central temple paying homage to the site’s presiding deity Venkateswara who represents an iteration of Lord Vishnu.

Visiting Malibu Hindu Temple

Feel free to enter this central temple or roam the plaza as you please and admire the architecture, take in the mountain views, and enjoy the sweet-smelling incense wafting through the area.

While roaming you may encounter priests who live fulltime on the property going about their daily activities. They usually do not interact with visitors unless a visitor pays for a specific ‘puja’ (a prayer service) to be performed.

Next head downstairs to the lower floor where most of the worshipping happens inside a large room where there is a shrine to Lord Shiva.

In this room on the lower floor, you’ll likely see Hindu practitioners walking slowly around the shrines chanting prayers beneath gold and crystal chandeliers.

No photos were taken of the lower complex area or the prayer room considering the no photography indoors policy.

If you happen to be visiting during the weekend, you may notice the smell of delicious spices in the air. I highly recommend following your nose to the volunteer-run kitchen to investigate where the smell is coming from.

Visiting Malibu Hindu Temple

On weekends, there is a small kitchen located on the temple’s basement level that serves Indian food (vegetarian only), strongly-spiced chai tea, and mango lassi.

We did not try any of the main dishes here since we were saving our appetite for Malibu Seafood but it all looked and smelled amazing!

However, I could not resist ordering a serve of gulab jamun as it is my favorite Indian dessert. It did not disappoint! We also gave the mango lassi a try and it also was good, especially since it was a hot day.

What To Expect Visiting Malibu Hindu Temple

Malibu Hindu Temple is believed to be one of the better examples of Hindu architecture anywhere outside of the Asian subcontinent. So if you are looking for new places to visit in Los Angeles, be sure to add a trip to Malibu Hindu Temple to your bucket list!

Plan on spending about an hour at the temple. There are other places nearby you can visit afterwards such as Malibu Creek State Park and King Gilette Ranch.

Malibu Hindu Temple

What Are The Visiting Hours?

Malibu Hindu Temple is open to the public seven days a week. Weekday visiting hours are 9am to 12:30pm and 5pm to 8pm. On Saturday and Sunday visiting hours are between 9.30am to 8pm.

Is There An Entry Fee At Malibu Hindu Temple?

There is no entry fee to visit Malibu Hindu Temple however donations are accepted and appreciated. Donations go towards upkeep of the temple.

What Is The Dress Code To Visit Malibu Hindu Temple?

The preferred dress code according to Malibu Hindu Temple’s website is business casual. It is recommended that you wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. So no shorts, tank tops or other sleeveless t-shirts.

Do You Have To Take Off Shoes At Malibu Hindu Temple?

Yes, you must take off footwear to enter Malibu Hindu Temple. No shoes are allowed inside the temple grounds. You will be requested to take off your shoes at the entrance to the temple. However you are allowed to wear shoes in the parking lot.

Is Photography Allowed At Malibu Hindu Temple?

Photography is allowed of Malibu Hindu Temple’s exterior architecture and also of the temple grounds. But please note that no photography is permitted inside individual shrines inside the temple grounds.

Where Is Malibu Hindu Temple?

Malibu Hindu Temple is located at 1600 Las Virgenes Canyon Road in Calabasas directly across from Malibu Creek State Park. From Malibu’s Pacific Coast Highway, take Malibu Canyon Road for about seven miles. The temple’s towering white exterior will appear on your right.

Other Places To See Nearby

  • King Gillette Ranch: A large park open to the public for hiking, picnics, and special events.
  • Malibu Creek State Park: A wilderness preserve that offers miles of hiking trails.
  • Solstice Canyon Trail: A hiking trail in Malibu that leads to a beautiful 30-foot waterfall.
  • Calabasas Farmers Market: A farmers market in Old Town Calabasas with delicious produce.
  • Leonis Adobe Museum: A historic building in Calabasas that was built in 1844.

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