This is a wonderful, cultural, religiously, educational opportunity. They also do a vegan feast I…read morebelieve once a week with dancing, etc. We attended, I believe the - fire dance and I'm sure it's not called that! So if you're visiting the city of Laguna Beach, you may want to check this out.

So peaceful and calm. Felt the blessings. Had prasad and left after Darshan. It is close to beach…read moreand shopping area. But parking is problem. Need to park on curbside.

We visited this temple for a wedding ceremony and it was definitely A+. The hindu priest was…read morehumorous and also explained many of the Sanskrit texts to us so we would know what was going on. It was a very memorable experience. I do wish they had turned on the vents a little sooner after lighting the fire. It created a lot of smoke and started to give me a headache.

Temple Review: Unfair Treatment and Favoritism by Volunteer (Komal/Reeta)…read moreI am writing this review today because my friends and I finally found out the name of the woman responsible for pushing us away from this temple: Komal (also known as Reeta). For a long time, many of my South Indian friends and I faced continuous issues with her, but because we didn't know her name, we couldn't properly address it in a review until now. Unfortunately, this was not a one-time misunderstanding. This happened to us an uncountable number of times. Here are the main reasons why we, along with many other South Indian families, have completely stopped attending this temple: Targeted and Rude Comments: Komal/Reeta is usually the main person distributing the prasad. She consistently targets South Indian devotees with unwelcoming comments, telling us things like, "You need to volunteer and not just come here for the prasad. These insulting remarks are selectively directed at us while others are welcomed warmly. Favoritism During Kanjak Puja: During Kanjak Puja, she deliberately hoards and distributes the gift bags to her own relatives and circle, completely ignoring the children's ages. However, the moment our kids line up, she suddenly claims that the bags are "finished." It is heartbreaking to see children discriminated against in a place of worship. Gatekeeping the Temple: Multiple devotees have noted that she treats the temple like a private club, making it clear she only wants her specific circle to be there. Enabling a Hostile Environment: Her friends and family members have now started mimicking her toxic behavior. Because her inner circle behaves the exact same way, the temple environment has become incredibly toxic and unwelcoming.

Came here for the America 250 Years Celebration…read more Plenty of parking next to the temple. Had a great time here. The light show was fantastic! The music that accompanied the show was awesome. Very upbeat. It matched the light show perfectly! Had a blast watching the lights and music blended well together. It was a very fun experience. Glad we were able to be here and enjoyed the America 250 Years Celebration. Check out some of the videos I have posted. Make sure you have the sound on. Enjoy!

Helpful Tips for First-Time Visitors…read more Admission/parking are completely free; you only pay for the cafe. Here is what we learned, especially if visiting for architecture. Arrival, Check-In, & Dress CodeGroup Check-In: One person acts as leader, checks the party in at the visitor center, and gets a tracking wristband. Staff: Our group wore summer dresses and shorts. The staff was incredibly welcoming, respectful, and comforting. Sarongs: Knees/shoulders must be covered; no tank tops. Free, one-size sarongs are available at a table to the LEFT of check-in (near the Men's restroom). Drop them in the return basket when done.The Footwear TrickShoes must be removed before climbing the entrance stairs. The stone steps get intensely hot under the sun (reaching ~120°F even on 90°F days). My bare feet were in so much pain that my smartwatch HR spiked instantly!The Fix: Bring thick socks before entering. Walk directly on the white marble stripes by the handrails--white marble reflects heat and stays much cooler. Experience: It was eye-watering hot before I realized the temperature difference midway up. I was stepping on my daughter's sarong to save my feet while yelling at her not to trip! Learn from me and use the white tracks from step one. Hidden Architectural TreasuresThe interior marble carvings (Italian shrine stone, Indian floors) are breathtaking. Each tier tells a story: Floor Level: Peacocks, fish, and turtles are at eye level on column bases. Water creatures represent the foundation of the world, anchoring the temple, while peacocks show nature's beauty. High Corners: Look way up where pillars meet ceiling arches for the alligator-like 'Makara' (mythical guardian). Its open mouth reminds visitors to leave behind their sharp worldly egos. Hidden Pedestal: Near Ganesha's feet is a tiny carving of a rat. Representing human restlessness, the still rat symbolizes conquering busy thoughts to find peace. Ceiling Domes: A massive lotus blooms downward from the center (spiritual enlightenment), supported by a tier of carved artisans honoring selfless service. Cafe & Snack ShopKeep these flavor profiles in mind at the vegetarian cafe: Spiced White Yogurt: Skip it entirely. It does not taste like chai; it tasted like spiced ethanol and almost made me sick. Other Drinks: The mango and green yogurt drinks are much better. Savory Food: Cheese pizza is available. The Pea/Potato Empanadas (Kachoris) are tasty but extremely spicy Samosas are mild and taste great with both red and green sauces. Sweets: They don't have Baklava. The staff recommended a nutty chocolate fudge sweet that tasted like dry Cocoa Puffs--decent, but not sweet or chewy. General AdviceTiming: Visit early morning or near sunset to avoid the blistering midday sun on the stairs. Accessibility: If the stairs look too intimidating, ask the staff for directions to the indoor elevator.

Serenity n peace in safe surroundings humble n helpful pandits priests…read more Felt awesome there in this sanctuary Khaled

While everyone has a right to express opinions, it may be benefit the community better if you take…read morethe time to find out more about the organization. Like many other temples, this Hindu Temple has multiple Garbagrahas for various Gods and Goddesses. Saturday mornings you can witness thirumanjanam for Lord Venkateswara and Lord Shiva accompanied by Vedic Chantings. In addition to paid Priests the Temple is also blessed with the service of well-trained professsionals helping in as priest-helpers. Sunday mornings you can watch special pujas for Lord Lakshmi Narayan. On both these days you may also enjoy lunch if you stay till 2 pm! Monday evenings one may watch Mrithynjaya Homa; list goes on for the rest of a week too.

First time visiting this gorgeous Vedanta monastery . Beautiful grounds; meditation room that just…read morefeels so good to get quiet in; library and meeting room where Gerald Heard, Aldous Huxley, Huston Smiths , and other modern seekers sat and talked and thought and tripped and wrote. Lovely little gift shop where you can get their honey from hives on campus; I bought myself a little Tibetan Tingsha bells (they look like tiny thick cymbals connected with a leather thong). I will return to hike the shrine trail for walking meditation

Listen up! Do you want to know where to buy the most delicious honey ?…read more The Ramakrishna Monastery has their own bee hives, clover, and wildflower honey! It is the most delicious honey that I've ever found! I get the wildflower with the honeycomb inside, and by extra bottles to give as gifts. They sell the honey in their store, and the proceeds help support the monastery. Today, while purchasing honey, we had a Swami teach us about "Chaitanya". We learned that Sanskrit means "consciousness," "awareness," or "life force." It can also mean "energy," "enthusiasm," or "intelligence". It was a beautiful ride down living Oak Canyon road. There is a beautiful hiking trail in this area as well. Feeling very fortunate that we have so much stuff to do, and learn about here in Orange County!

Disappointing Welcoming Experience…read more While the temple itself is a peaceful and sacred place, the experience at the front reception unfortunately takes away from that serenity. The lady working at the reception desk consistently appears frustrated and unwelcoming whenever visitors enter. A temple is a place of peace where everyone should feel welcome. However, her attitude makes it feel less like a public place of worship and more like you are walking into her private home uninvited. A little warmth and a welcoming demeanor from the front desk would go a long way in preserving the respectful and positive atmosphere this temple deserves.

I've always had a love-doubt kind of relationship with God, but Lord Shiva has always felt…read moremysterious and fascinating to me--the way He's depicted is captivating. We've ended up visiting Siva Kameswari Temple in Costa Mesa a couple of times, and each visit brings a sense of peace. Parking is free, which is convenient, and sometimes you even get to hear live traditional music being played inside, adding to the spiritual vibe. Another unique touch is its location--right next to Santa Ana airport--so you can watch planes land up close. If you have kids, they might especially enjoy that part.

Excellent place for worship and to learn Indian culture by our children…read more Lots of cultural activities where our children have an opportunities to participate .

Wonderful place to learn language and culture for the kids. I bring my daughter here for Hindi…read moreclasses. They have a mandir in the facility. All classes are led by volunteers.

Love Hanuman Mandir. Peaceful and divine. They have special programs on Saturdays and throughout…read morespecial occasions.

Hanuman Temple in Torrance is a quiet and peaceful place. The deities are so serene. The massive…read moreand stunning Lord Hanuman statue is particularly captivating, and we can't help but gaze at it in awe.

I went to Shri Mandir in Murrieta yesterday. It is so peaceful. Felt so good when saw Radha…read moreKrishna. Felt so positive. Got blessings. They had cows too. You can feed them as well. They sell the food to feed cows (gomatha) there itself

yesterday i went to the temple i was mesmerized to see the temple i felt so much peace so much…read morebliss i have never felt anywhere so much cleanliness so nice idols. I would request the Hindus to go to the temple everyday with their children so that your children stay connected with their culture, they do not go astray Radhe Krishna

I feel compelled to share the worst experience I have ever had in any store -- and heartbreakingly,…read moreit happened in a place I thought would be compassionate and respectful. A few months ago, after my husband and I tragically lost our son, he purchased a gold Saint Michael necklace for me from this store as a memorial gift. We also bought one for my father-in-law. Both necklaces tarnished, turning our skin green, even though we were reassured at the time of purchase that they would not. Because of the meaning behind this gift, I wanted to do the right thing and bring it back to see if the store could help. When I explained the situation calmly and respectfully, the blonde woman working there immediately became irritated. She told me she could only exchange for another one, or I pay more money to upgrade the chain -- one that was gold-filled instead of plated. I explained that we had already spent so much and could not afford to spend more, especially since we had been given incorrect information when we purchased it. I asked if a manager or owner might reconsider, given the situation. Instead of showing even the slightest compassion, she escalated. I called my husband- as he was the one that purchased it. She took the phone and he explained to her that when he was buying the necklace, someone told him it would not tarnish. They exchanged a sentence or two, she again immediately became even more agitated and rude and put my phone down saying she would not speak to him. Her tone became harsh, then aggressive. She began raising her voice, repeatedly cutting me off, and flatly telling me "that's the policy, we don't do refunds" with no willingness to even hear me out further. I tried to explain again that I wasn't asking for special treatment, only fairness, since we were misled. At that point, she started yelling at me, telling me she had already explained herself, and shockingly -- she threatened to call the police on me and kicked me out of the store. It was awful, odd, and honestly just the most bizarre experience I've ever had. Never in my life have I been treated with such hostility, especially when I remained calm, polite, and respectful the entire time. I even told her that I was pregnant again and that this situation was incredibly stressful for me, and she could not have cared less. Instead, she was threatening, dismissive, and completely devoid of compassion. For a store that sells religious items, this kind of treatment is appalling. This necklace was not just jewelry to me -- it was a memorial to my son. To be treated so coldly and aggressively while trying to resolve something so important was deeply painful and unforgettable in the worst way. I just bawled when I left - shocked and just honestly dumbfounded. This was the most unprofessional and cruel customer service experience I have ever encountered, and I would never recommend this store to anyone. I am only giving one star as leaving no stars is not even an option.

My daughter miscarried a couple of months ago. Her husband went to this store and bought two medals…read morein honor of this lost child. The medals were gold filled. The chains were not. He asked if they would turn color. He was told they would not. They do not live in this area, but were here for an appt when they found out they had lost the baby. My daughter was back today and tried to return this and just called me in tears. She was just trying to exchange or return this. The gal that claimed to be the manager said they did not do returns. So my daughter called her husband and asked what they would like to do. The claimed manager became very rude. My son-in-law wanted to speak to to understand the exchange as he was told this would not happen. The manager became even more rude. Put the phone down and told my daughter she had explained her options twice. My daughter asked why she was being so rude why she was treating her that way. Then my daughter, said ok, she would just exchange it. Then the manager said she couldn't exchange it. She could just leave the store and threatened to call the police. My daughter explained she was pregnant again. The reason she came in the store originally was because of a bad experience and now she was pregnant and enduring a horrible experience at a religious store?? I will never shop at the store again. I will share with my church and my community to never shop at this store. Doesn't matter what your store policies are. The treatment of people speaks volumes. How they're associated with Christian faith I will never be convinced. Shame on you