Hindu Temple of Atlanta

According to the temple's own history, a small group of community members began discussing an Atlanta temple in the late 1970s, and a fundraising effort followed a gathering at a member's home on New Year's Eve in 1982. After considering five properties, fifteen members bought the present Riverdale site, which the county zoned for a temple. The temple was incorporated on 19 October 1984, and 5.3 acres were donated in October 1986 (Hindu Temple of Atlanta). Temple architect Muthiah Sthapati was consulted early in the project (Hindu Temple of Atlanta).

Trustees bought adjoining land in 2001 for the Shiva temple. Hinduism Today reported that Muthiah Sthapati also designed it, that construction began in January 2004, and that the Shiva temple was dedicated, with the Venkateswara temple rededicated, in ceremonies from 25 to 29 May 2004. The two temples together stand on about twelve acres (Hinduism Today). A news item of 3 June 2004 carried by The Alabama Baptist likewise described the Shiva temple at Riverdale being finished beside the Balaji (Vishnu) temple, with artisans from India carving the facades and images (The Alabama Baptist).

Some sources give other dates. Wikipedia says the Shiva shrine was consecrated in 2007, which conflicts with the 2004 reports above, so this page follows the contemporary 2004 reporting.

Architecture and sacred features

Hinduism Today reported that artisans from India were brought to carve the ornamentation, and the Shiva temple's decoration was planned to include Shiva's 108 tandava dance poses (Hinduism Today). The Alabama Baptist noted that the basic structures were built by local construction firms while trained artisans carved the facades and icons (The Alabama Baptist). Both temples are white with tiered towers in the South Indian tradition.