Living away from home makes it hard to stay connected with your religious roots. We miss our festivals, celebrations, culture and most of all the bliss we receive from temples. Temples help us stay connected to the religious part of us. Being away from India often makes us forget the harmony and joy we receive from a single visit to the temple.
Temples not only help us stay religiously connected with our gods but also brings us together with our community. Staying away from home is hard, by visiting temples and interacting with Indians of similar background can help us feel much better.
Hence, we present to you the 7 temples in Australia that every aussie indian should visit
1. Sri Mandir
Sri Mandir located in Auburn, Sydney is one of the oldest temples in Australia. The temple is adobe to multiple hindi gods such as lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Sai Baba and many more. Unlike other temples, Sri Mandir is owned by a community. The temple also has a Bhavan next to it where multiple events and functions are held. If you wish to visit a temple where you can see Indians from multiple backgrounds and cultures, you must visit Sri Mandir.
In addition to being home to multiple deities, Sri Mandir also houses a variety of services such as Education, Wedding services, Wedding decoration, Yoga and health, youth circles and many more. You can experience a closeness to your gods in multiple ways at Sri Mandir.
The temple is open from 10:00AM to 12:00 Noon and 5:30 PM to 08:30 PM. On public holidays and weekends, the temple is open from 10:30AM to 8:00PM.
2. Hare Krishna (ISKCON) Temple
ISKCON Temples are very famous all over India. To our luck, we get to experience ISKCON even in Australia! Canberra is home to the famous Hare Krishna temple by ISKCON. This temple was the first hindu temple in Australia which was dedicated to lord Krishna.
The ISKCON committee also arranges books, tours, religious programs and events for the Indians in Australia. They provide a beautiful deep-dive into hindu religion. If you wish to visit the famous temple, you must try their prasadam for it will take you back to India. Their services include accomodation for people to stay, yoga classes, pujas and aratis.
The temple is open at alternate hours of the day from 4:30AM to 9:00PM. The most Aarati is supposed to take place at 12:30PM.
3. Shiva Vishnu Temple,
If you want to visit the largest temple in Australia, then you must visit Shiva Vishnu temple located in Victoria. Stretching across 15 acres of land, the temple is also the largest hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere. In Hindu religion, Shiva and Vishu are said to be the two most powerful gods. Hence, many Indians visit this temple at all times of the year. During important festivals, the temple is decked up beautifully and filled with Aussie Indians cherishing the festivities. The temple has a beautiful compound built with a south indian style of architecture.
You can visit the temple between Monday to Friday from 7.30 AM to 12.00 PM, 4.00 PM to 9.00 PM. It is also open during the weekends and public holidays from 7.30 AM to 1.00 PM and 4.00 PM to 9.00 PM.
4. Shri Ganesha Temple, Adelaide
The Shri Ganesha Temple is located in the heart of Adelaide. It is the religious hub of every hindu living in the city. Among Hindus, Lord Ganesha is one the most worshiped gods. Hence, every hindu in this city often visits this temple.
The temple is a great location for Hindus to meet each other. They host regular pujas ceremonies and other such events bringing together the hindu community of India. The temple is also home to other gods such as Lakshmi, Navagraha, Hanuman, Bhairava as well as Shivalinga.
You can visit the temple from Monday to Saturdays from 7:00 to 8:00 AM and 6:00 to 8:00 PM. On Sundays, the temple is open to the public from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 6:00PM and 8:00PM. The temple also holds hindu seva, public functions or vedanta group sessions on Sundays from 11:00 to 1:00PM.
5. Om Shree Deveshwar Mahadev Shiv Mandir
This famous temple located in Brisbane is dedicated especially to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is a powerful Indian God who is prayed to by all hindus. The idol is situated in a beautiful garden which is made from all-natural materials. The temple is also home to a hand carved Nandi Bull and Shiva linga, both made from beautiful black granite! If you are a devotee of Lord Shiva, then the Om Shree Deveshwar Mahadev Shiv Mandir is the temple to visit.
Since the temple is located in the middle of a beautiful garden, it radiates peace and harmony. The perfect temple to visit in order to feel a calm connection with god.The temple offers multiple services like daily puja and arati, abhishek services, yoga classes and community services.
The temple is open on Mondays from 7 AM to 9 AM and 12 PM to 4 PM, and on Sundays between 9 AM and 3 PM. It is important to take the timings into consideration before visiting temples!
6. Shree Laxminarayan Mandir
Located in Brisbane, Shree Laxminarayan Mandir temple initially started of with a small group of hindu followers. The temple has now blossomed with a thousand followers who come together in the temple to promote indian culture and values.
The temple is also home to a library with many vedas and puranas which are available to all. The temple offers many services like Regular puja and aarti, Bhajans, Library with books and scriptures, Yoga classes, Gurukulam for children and a function hall for weddings and other celebrations.
The temple is open from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM & 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on weekdays. The morning timings on weekends remains the same where on Saturday evenings the temple is open from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. On Sundays the temple is open right from 2:00PM to 8:00PM which makes it easy for the indians who cannot visit the temple on
7. Shri Vishnu Maya Mandir
Unlike other temples, Shri Vishnu Maya Mandir is located in North Maclean, a bit far away from the major cities! However since it takes time to reach here, this temple is the best to visit when you are looking to spend a few quiet minutes praying. The temple is a simple reflection of hindu religion.
The temple offers many special services. One of the services includes sanskrit and hindi language classes. This is great for the parents who are looking to give their children learning of Indian languages. The temple also hosts multicultural events. A great opportunity for Indians to meet each other. The other services offered include Daily puja and aarti, Yoga classes, Meditation classes and social activities.
The temple is open from Monday to Sundays between 7.00 AM and 11.00 AM and the evening darshan between 5.00 PM and 8.00 PM.
On visiting these temples that are available throughout the country of Australia, you are bound to feel more desi than ever. Signing up for their services can also help you stay closely connected with your community and help feel like a part of a large family.
The Desipedia App aims to help you connect with fellow indians. If we come together as one, we can help one another in multiple ways. Right from friendships to job opportunities, Indians can help one another through this platform. You can even use the chat feature to help you find company for visiting these temples!