Hindu temples are far more than places of congregational worship. For millennia, they have served as sacred spaces for communing with the source and oneness of existence, while also preserving architecture, sculpture, music, dance, festivals, sacred literature, and community traditions. From ancient temple complexes across India to contemporary temples throughout the global diaspora, each temple carries layers of history, symbolism, memory, and spiritual meaning.

Join Hindu University of America for an illuminating webinar with Dr. Kanniks Kannikeswaran, internationally acclaimed composer, scholar, and faculty member at HUA. Through compelling examples and insights, Dr. Kannikeswaran will introduce participants to the remarkable world of Hindu temples, including their architectural styles, sacred geography, sthala-purāṇas, worship and festival traditions, and their enduring influence on Hindu life. Participants will begin to see familiar temples with new eyes and recognize that there is far more to them than what meets the eye.

This webinar offers an engaging introduction to themes explored in much greater depth in HUA’s 10-week course, Hindu Temples and Traditions. The full course takes students on a guided journey through the Nagara, Dravida, and Vesara architectural traditions; the contributions of major dynasties and Bhakti movements; temples dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, and Shakti; the role of Āgamas, music, dance, festivals, and sacred narratives; and the continuing evolution of temple culture in India and the diaspora. Attend the webinar for a glimpse into this extraordinary heritage, and enroll in the course to explore the history, meaning, and living traditions of Hindu temples in their full richness.