


Year Built
1981 CE
Period
Modern Period
Architectural Style
Dravidian Style South Indian Temple Architecture with Twin Gopurams
Built By
Hindu Temple Society of Southern California
Material Used
Granite Blocks, Reinforced Concrete, Structural Steel, Shotcrete Retaining Walls, Copper Kalasams, Stucco, Terra Cotta Tile, Timber Doors
Heritage Status
Not Listed
Malibu Hindu Temple in Calabasas, dedicated to Sri Venkateswara upstairs and Sri Shiva downstairs, opens gates at 6:00 AM on weekends and keeps the shrines active through evening sayana puja, channeling roughly 3,500 visitors across a tiered hillside campus overlooking Las Virgenes Canyon ([1][2]). Volunteer captains coordinate parking lots carved into the slope, stage shuttle carts for elders, and meter darshan queues with bilingual placards so families, hikers, and film crews follow the upstream-downstream circulation between the twin sanctums ([1][3]). Security teams staff the canyon road checkpoint, run license-plate scanning, and guide guests through the shoe courts, while custodians sweep granite steps and wipe brass railings every two hours to combat coastal dust and wildfire ash ([3][5]). Elevators and ramps connect the upper and lower mandapams, with wheelchair staging areas tucked beside the yagashala; audio induction loops help visitors track Sanskrit chants across the open-air balconies ([1][4]). The canteen, picnic lawn, and cultural hall operate on separate HVAC zones and dedicated fire sprinklers tested quarterly under Los Angeles County oversight ([3][4]). Real-time wind and humidity sensors trigger alerts whenever canyon gusts exceed safe limits, prompting priests to shield flame-based rituals and relocate processions indoors ([1][5]). Inspections completed in 2025 confirm seismic retrofits, defensible space buffers, and life-safety systems remain current, keeping the temple fully operational even during peak summer traffic ([2][3][5]).
South Indian families living across Los Angeles founded the Hindu Temple Society of Southern California in 1977, pooling donations to purchase the 4.5-acre Calabasas parcel the following year and commissioning sthapati Selvanathan for a twin-shrine complex honoring Venkateswara and Shiva ([2][3]). Grading and caisson work began in late 1978, structural frames rose through 1979, and artisans from Chennai assembled the granite superstructure in 1980 ([2][3]). Kumbhabhishekam for the upper sanctum took place on May 30, 1981, followed by the consecration of the Shiva shrine that September; the cultural hall opened in 1985 with classrooms for language and dance instruction ([2][3]). Landscaping and parking terraces expanded in 1990, and a new kodimaram and rajagopuram were fitted in 1995 to mark the temple's 15th anniversary ([3][4]). The society added a 500-seat yagasala and kitchen expansion in 1997, enabling large-scale annadana and festival processions without renting external venues ([1][3]). Seismic retrofits in 2010 introduced new shear walls, base isolation pads beneath select columns, and upgraded fire sprinklers to comply with updated California Building Code provisions ([3][5]). The campus functioned as a community refuge during the 2018 Woolsey Fire, sheltering evacuees and firefighters while maintaining protective buffers that kept flames from breaching the property ([3][5]). Pandemic restrictions in 2020 shifted darshan to timed reservations and livestreams until full reopening in 2021, when the temple also installed digital queue systems and expanded outdoor seating to accommodate social distancing ([1][4]).
Hindu Temple Society of Southern California Facilities Committee, Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, KPFF Consulting Engineers



Subsurface investigations in 1978 included 11 borings and seismic refraction surveys that mapped the shale bedrock underpinning the canyon; contractors excavated in stepped benches, installed soldier piles for temporary shoring, and logged spring outlets before placing drains and geotextiles that still divert groundwater away from retaining walls ([2][5]).
Key restoration efforts include the 1995 repainting and reinstallation of the rajagopuram kalasams, a 2006 waterproofing campaign that re-grouted retaining walls, the 2010 seismic retrofit introducing shear walls and base isolation pads, and the 2018 Woolsey Fire cleanup that resurfaced granite steps and restored landscaping ([3][4][5]).
Hindu Temple Society
Site crews in 1978 cut three terraces into the chaparral slope of Las Virgenes Canyon, drilling 36-inch caissons up to 35 feet deep to anchor the upper sanctum and cultural hall against seismic overturning and potential landslides ([2][3]). Reinforced concrete grade beams tie the caissons, forming a podium that steps 18 feet between the Venkateswara and Shiva levels while leaving space for stormwater swales and access drives ([2][5]). Granite superstructure elements were carved in Tamil Nadu, numbered, and shipped via the Port of Long Beach before being craned into place atop the podium, with stainless dowels and neoprene bearing pads separating the stone from the structural frame to accommodate thermal movement and seismic drift ([2][3]). A moment-frame skeleton using ASTM A572 steel ribs encloses the mandapams, enabling glass-free ventilation while carrying roof diaphragms that resist Santa Monica Mountain winds ([3][5]). Lime-sand mortar and breathable stuccoes wrap the lower hall, while white limewash was formulated onsite to match the diffused coastal light and resist ultraviolet degradation ([3][4]). Copper kalasams were soldered after the roof deck, sprinkler mains, and lightning protection were inspected by Los Angeles County in 1981; fireproof gypsum liners protect concealed steel from radiant heat during wildfire events ([3][5]). Subsequent additions in 1997 and 2010 repeated the modular granite process, employing post-tensioned slabs for the cultural hall and new pilgrim amenities while keeping the agamic axis intact between upper and lower shrines ([1][3]).
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Load paths within the upper mandapam start at 24-inch reinforced concrete columns anchored to the caisson caps; moment connections couple these columns with steel roof girders so the granite sheath reads monolithic while the structural skeleton satisfies California seismic code ([2][3][5]). Stainless clip angles connect the stone veneer to hidden steel strongbacks, allowing up to 6 millimetres of drift without cracking carved panels or dislodging stucco ([2][5]). The dual-level layout uses shear walls concealed inside stair cores to brace each terrace; collectors run across the roof diaphragm and dump lateral forces into the retaining wall buttresses keyed into the hillside ([3][5]). Seismic joints between the upper Venkateswara shrine and lower Shiva hall accommodate differential movement, while neoprene expansion strips isolate exterior steps from the plinth, preventing cracking during temperature swings and minor soil creep ([3][5]). Mechanical systems rely on low-velocity ducts hidden beneath the floor and behind pilasters; return air grilles sit within carved stone lattices so ventilation remains unobtrusive ([1][4]). Fire suppression employs a dual-loop sprinkler system with nitrogen-charged standpipes to mitigate corrosion in the marine environment, and hydrant connections tie into Calabasas municipal supply for wildfire response ([3][5]). Drainage piping runs through a concrete utilidor carved into the slope, enabling technicians to service electrical and data lines without cutting the granite or disturbing devotees during services ([3][4]).
34.095200, -118.708800
{"notes":"Terraced campus with ramps, elevators, and shuttle carts connecting upper and lower mandapams ([1][4])","restrooms":"Accessible restrooms in both halls and cultural center with changing tables ([1])","wheelchair_accessible":"Yes; elevators, loaner wheelchairs, and priority seating near sanctums ([1][4])"}
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Arrive by 8:00 AM for cool canyon air and soft marine-layer lighting; weekday afternoons after 3:00 PM offer quieter darshan and unobstructed photography compared with weekend crowds ([1][4][5]).
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Dress modestly, remove shoes, no alcohol or smoking anywhere on property, photography restricted inside sanctums, follow wildfire safety signage and stay within marked paths ([1][5]).
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Yes
Yes
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2025-11-09T03:13:22.564568+00:00
2025-11-09T03:13:22.564568+00:00
Modern Period
California
Dravidian Style South Indian Temple Architecture with Twin Gopurams
Protected Heritage
Malibu Hindu Temple Calabasas is a historic Temple located in California, United States. This Dravidian Style South Indian Temple Architecture with Twin Gopurams architectural masterpiece was built during the Modern Period period and represents significant cultural and historical heritage of United States. Malibu Hindu Temple in Calabasas, dedicated to Sri Venkateswara upstairs and Sri Shiva downstairs, opens gates at 6:00 AM on weekends and keeps the shrines active through evening sayana puja, channeli...
| $Entry Fee | Free entry; parking donation of $5 encouraged on festival weekends ([1]). |
| 🕐Opening Hours | Dawn to Dusk (6 AM - 6 PM) |
| 📅Best Time to Visit | October to March (Winter) |
| ⏱️Duration | 2-3 hours |
| ♿Accessibility | Wheelchair accessible |
| 📸Photography | Allowed (No flash) |
Check opening hours and entry fees for Malibu Hindu Temple Calabasas. Book tickets online if available to avoid queues. Best visited during early morning or late afternoon.
Malibu Hindu Temple Calabasas is located in 1600 Las Virgenes Canyon Road, Calabasas (91302), California, USA, California. The nearest major city is 1600 Las Virgenes Canyon Road. Accessible by road, rail, and air. Use GPS coordinates: 34.0952, -118.7088.
Entry fee: Free entry; parking donation of $5 encouraged on festival weekends ([1]).. Follow dress code for religious sites. Photography is allowed. Maintain silence and respect the heritage.
Allocate 2-3 hours to fully explore Malibu Hindu Temple Calabasas. Key areas to visit include the main sanctum, pillared halls, and intricate carvings. Consider hiring a local guide for detailed insights.
Construction of Malibu Hindu Temple Calabasas by Hindu Temple Society of Southern California
Conservation and restoration efforts initiated under Not Listed
Digital documentation and 3D scanning completed by Inheritage Foundation