Malibu Hindu essay

The Hindu Temple Society of Southern California

The Hindu deity Venkateswara is honored at the Malibu Hindu temple, which is located in Santa Monica's mountainous southern region in Malibu, California. The temple is owned and run by the group known as the Hindu Temple Society of Southern California. Hindu devotees in the southern part of the state of California frequently visit the Malibu Hindu Temple, which was built in 1981 in the typical southern Indian architecture (Narayan 9). In addition to ceremonies, a picnic, and meditation, the sanctuary has gathered for a range of distinctive cultural and Hindu activities. Both the main and lower complexes of the presiding deity, Lord Venkateswara, are located in the Malibu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This research will compare the different places of worship by interviewing Malibu priests and devotees of the temple.

Etiquette and Dress Code

Before the visit to the Malibu Hindu temple, it was essential to observe etiquette regarding dressing code. Proper attire and goods manners were crucial in the expression of respect for the Hinduism religion (Narayan 6). On arrival to the temple, a chanting could be heard from the man in a red sash and white robe. Shoes were left outside, and most women wore colorful Shalwar kameez or saris. Upon entering the Malibu Hindu temple, a calming feeling began to be evident. Statues of critical Hindu deities and gurus were abundant at the back of the temple. The perimeter of the courtyard is dotted with the four small structures, all topped with similar ornate carvings that shape the roofs of the temples. Inside, each is the figure of a different god: Krishna, Hanuman, Lakshmi, and Bhodevi. Moreover, the carpet used for meditation was on the floor in the inner temple. People have always been drawn to the Indian mythology for Hindu is the most imaginative direction, with a pantheon of benign goddesses and gods in colorful attire. The person who was leading a prayer in a deity chamber was Krishnama Charyulu Samudrala. Samudrala is the priest of the Malibu Hindu temple, which was built in 1981. Priests, including the Samudrala, dedicate their lives to god at the Malibu temple.

Cultural Activities and Classes

One of the exciting things is the monk enrobed in a toga-like garment goes from one god to another while offering incense, prayers, fresh water, and flower petals. Devotees could follow him, praying and drawing the smoke towards in their faces. The chanting and smelling are soothing around the temple, and the woman walks in full circles mumbling prayers to her in the courtyard. Classes at the Malibu depend on the philosophical work, commentary, and scripture. There is emphasizing on the work of Sri Ramakrishna, Shankaracharya, and Swami Vivekananda. Additionally, scriptural texts include the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita (Brunn 1408). At the Hindu temple, there is a typical class comprising the reading of the verses together with commentary by the monk. Similarly, there are opportunities for the questions and discussions.

Religious Celebrations and Cultural Programs

On the second day of the visit which was on Saturday, there was ringing of the temple bells, chants of ancient Sanskrit hymns and the scent of incense filled the worship hall. The priest presented the offering of rice, banana, and coconut, then sprinkled holy water on the statues of Krishna and his wife, Radha. On interviewing time, one of the devotees says that the canteen offers a vegetarian Indian food only, and all are welcome. As a token of love, the decorative garlands of chrysanthemums were on the images. According to the schedule of the temple, the religious celebration and cultural programs happen in the morning and the evening, with an availability of the Indian food which runs from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Malibu Hindu cultural programs comprise of dancing and singing. According to the priest, dances enact scenes from the life of the Krishna who came to the world to destroy wickedness, protect good people, and teach a code of ethics.

Hindu Beliefs and Practices

Samudrala emphasizes that Hindus have one god only, however not in the same forms. Thus, it is the reason there is so-called “G.O.D.”, representing the “generator”, the “operator” as well as the “destroyer.” The “G” represents the Lord Venkateswara (creator), letters “O” and “D” refer to Vishnu and Shiva, the protector and the destroyer. Samudrala suggests that the lifetime of Hindu consists of an interval of quarter-century. Studies comprise of 25 years, and the next ones go to marriage, family, and children. One ought to earn a “title” in the following 25 years, and the next 25 years are for renounce. Samudrala suggests that the last period is for dedication to worshiping until one dies. The Malibu temple is available for visitors 365 days in a year. It is open for the weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Hindu Scriptures and Deities

According to the priest, the meditation, yoga, and the prayer are the daily activities of the Hindus, with the reason for the practice being the providence of a healthy soul, body, and mind. Samudrala was raised in the priest’s house and was picked to move out from Tirupati, India to the Hindu temple of Malibu. The former is a holding site for Hindu followers due to the numerous temples with the capacity of 10,000 persons visiting each day (Kumar 77). In the process of the interviewing with Samudrala, the main temple’s priest by the name Bhattar Narashimba showed up. Bhattar stated that he has come from Australia in 1984. Bhattar suggests that an ordinary day of the Hindu’s life begins and finishes having god on one’s mind. The altar for the transportation of the deity Vahana is the collection plate for the goddess of travel.

Hinduism and Cultural Practices

Hinduism is the most dominant religions of the India subcontinent, specifically in Nepal and India (Oxtoby et al. 34). Inside the temples, the priest is called the pujan and conducts puja prayers. The pujas honor host and worship one or more than one deities or spiritually celebrate an event. Similarly, the priest performs ten regular services including the bathing of the statues of the gods or goddesses referred to as Murtis. Hinduism consists of the many diverse traditions and beliefs based on the societal norms, karmas, and dharma (Oxtoby et al. 42). It prescribes all Hindus have to follower regardless of the class, caste or sect such as purity, self-restraint, or honesty. As the Malibu priest says, Radha Krishna within the Hinduism is the combination of masculine and feminine sides of the God. Ganesha is a widely worshipped Hindu deity, as the god of beginning is honored at the start of rituals and ceremonies. While worshiping any deity, a coconut is always given, along with the flowers. In India, the puja ceremonies are at the temples, while in the Malibu, it focuses on the Murtis. The pujas rituals may be repeated many times during the days. Malibu temple has many deities. Thus, the ceremonies at the temples are conducted without the presence of the priest, because it represents the all-world not only for devotees in Malibu temple. Therefore, the social and cultural practices in the place of worship in all Hinduism temples in the world are similar.

Differences and Adaptations

Despite the effort to adhere to the strict traditional schedule of temple rituals, compromises arise regarding the daily, weekly and special ceremonies (Kumar 79). For instance, in the home temple at Tirupathi, the Puja for Lord Venkateshwara happens at the 3.30 a.m., while at Malibu temple, it takes place at 10 a.m. on Saturdays morning. On questioning, one devotee at the Malibu temple, who came on a regular basis, said that they appreciate accessibility to the lord they have in Southern California. Hindus believe in one divine reality that is formless (Brahman), and worshipping is in different forms (goddess/Ishvara). Hindu scripture is a vast collection of ancient religious writing which illustrates an eternal truth that has been revealed by ancient’s sages, god, and enlightened, wise men (Kumar 74). Oral tradition was a pillar in passing the fact from one generation to another which includes the Upanishads, Vedas, Agamas, and Epics such as Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana, law books, Puranas, philosophical and sectarian texts.

Hindu Culture in the Modern World

Apparently, Hindu culture and wedding ceremonies are elaborate, expensive, and more so, there are propitiations and expiations (Brunn 1414). In the old days, there was a significant divergence by the family, customs, and caste traditions. Although the world was modernizing, the primary beliefs of the Hindus did not change the world. First generation immigrants tend to embrace the Hinduism culture (Kumar 73). However, the new immigrants and American born tend to adopt a white Christian American culture. Some parents go an extent to name their Christian child name to blend with the American culture. Additionally, there is a high percentage of conversion to Christianity.

Works Cited

Brunn, Stanley D., ed. The Changing World Religion Map: Sacred Places, Identities, Practices and Politics. Springer, 2015.

Kumar, Pratap P. Contemporary Hinduism. Routledge, 2014.

Narayan, Uma. Dislocating Cultures: Identities, Traditions, and Third World Feminism. Routledge, 2013.

Oxtoby, Williard G., Roy C. Amore, and Amir Hussain. World Religions: Eastern Traditions. 4th ed., Oxford University Press, 2014.