Where Hindu Temple of Atlanta
State Highway 85 has more than its share of nondescript industrial buildings and shopping centers. But on the outskirts of Riverdale comes the unexpected: a pair of white temples—the one pictured is devoted to Shiva, one of Hinduism’s three main deities—with 72-foot-tall towers. For more than 25 years, the temples, built in the Dravadian style of southern India, have provided a haven for the region’s Hindu population. Ornate sculptures of deities on the spires, or gopurams, are cast in cement. Inside visitors can find 16 shrines and attend daily religious services, as well as dance, yoga, and Sanskrit classes. Leave your shoes at the door if you go.
This article originally appeared in our May 2016 issue.
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