Cary, NC: The Sri Venkateswara Temple of North Carolina reported an act of vandalism on Jan. 18, after one of the temple’s Dvarapalaka (guardian deity) statues near the Raja Gopuram entrance was damaged, officials said.
Temple authorities stated that the incident was promptly reported to the Cary Police Department, which is reviewing the surveillance footage. Officials added that the temple’s spiritual sanctity remains intact and that restoration work is underway in accordance with traditional agamic rituals.
Hindu advocacy organizations condemned the incident and urged law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation. The Hindu American Foundation said the act should not be dismissed as routine property damage, calling it an attack on a religious community and warning that downplaying such incidents could encourage further acts.
HinduPACT described the vandalism of a sacred place of worship as “abhorrent” and called for those responsible to be identified and prosecuted as a hate crime. The group also offered support to the temple community and reached out to local and federal authorities, including the FBI.
Both organizations said the episode highlights ongoing concerns about the safety of Hindu temples in the United States and urged authorities to examine whether bias played a role. As of Jan. 22, police had not announced any arrests or disclosed details about suspects or motives.
Temple leadership has urged devotees to remain calm as the investigation continues, emphasizing the temple’s role as a major spiritual and cultural hub for the Research Triangle region, hosting religious services, festivals, educational initiatives, and community programs.
