*From Back Cover*
The role of the Hindu temple as an integrative institution, along with its contribution to the development of the creative arts such as architecture, sculpture, painting, music, and dance, positions it as one of the key centers around which the culture of the Indian people was built. Once simple and sacred places of worship, temples have evolved into monuments, and the reverence accorded to these structures is manifested by the elaborate rituals and festivals of its devotees. Based on the Vedic altar, the earliest known sacred structure, Hindu temples trace their origins back thousands of years into the pre-Christian era. Built according to the Vastu Sliastra (the science of architecture), the Hindu temple is not only the earthy seat of a deity, but also a rendering of the form of God and is itself worthy of worship.
With more than 1,800,000 constituents in the United States, the Hindu community has become a permanent and prominent part of the American landscape. This book, Hindu Temples in North America, brings to light the significance of the Hindu temple and its relevance to contemporary North American society. Authoritatively written and impressively illustrated, it includes rare and exceptional photographs and illustrations that clearly detail the multifaceted architectural and sculptural wonders of the Hindu temple -- a tradition that has spanned millennia, and has always been a celebration of life.