Location: South Florida, USA
Main Deity: Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu
Entry Fee: Free Entry
Parking Fee: Free
Nearest Railway Station: Fort Lauderdale Airport Tri-Rail Station is 23 minutes away
Day Timing: The temple is open in the morning from 9 a.m. to 12 noon
Night Timing: the temple is open in the evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Address: 5661 SW 160th Ave, Southwest Ranches, FL 33331, USA
When you stay in a non-Hindu country, it is natural that you would miss the traditions and culture. Due to work demands and callings, many Hindus are now settled in different parts of the world with their families.
Similarly, Shiva Vishnu temple in South Florida in the USA is actually a non-profit organisation. Shiv Vishnu organisation are a religious organisation who has registered themselves under the State of Florida in the year 1993.
The Shiva Vishnu Temple has been built with this ideology in mind that it would impart Shastras and Hindu knowledge and help the Hindu families living in Florida to celebrate their festivals.The Shiva Vishnu temple mainly devotes itself as a shrine to Shiva and Vishnu primarily. It comprises of two buildings mainly one is the temple and the other is the community centre where many cultural and educational programs are held. The community hall has a seating capacity of around 300 and it is 6, 200sq.ft in total.
Constructions of the temple began in the year 1996 under the guidance of Chief Architect Dr. Ganapati Sthapati, a well-known temple builder. After obtaining permits 12 shilpis from Mahabalipuram came to Florida to begin Indianization of the temple and give it a splendid look. The temple and the community centre were built by the donations made by the people and also by some international donations made by Hindus from all over the world. The temple does daily prayer and chanting of mantras.
There are four well-trained pujaris who offer daily prayer to the gods and deities there. If you want to offers something to the god, the temple etiquettes prefer that you give flowers and fruits.
The architecture of the temple follows the architectural style of the Chola and the Pallava dynasty. Therefore based on that architectural style, the temple walls are made of rocks and stone.
The entrance to the temple has two gates called the Vimana Gopurams and two towers are located above the shrines of the two main deities there. The shrine which is dedicated to the god Ayyappa is built keeping in mind the Kerala architectural style.
They celebrate Mahashivratri with much pomp and show and offer fruits and flowers and chant mantras. The Mahashivratri in 2020 would be held on Feb 21st with aarthi and bhajans dedicating to Lord Shiva.
The best time to visit the USA would be from April to September, the temperature during this period is pleasant and would face fewer difficulties. Though the summers could be a little bit hot for your liking, it would not hamper with your trip or visit to the temple.
How to Reach the Shiva Vishnu Temple?
There are direct flights from Delhi and after reaching the USA, you could take connecting flights to Florida. After landing in Florida you could hire a car or rent one to reach your desired destination.
Fort Lauderdale Airport Tri-Rail is located just 23 minutes away from the temple. You could easily take a train and get down at this station to reach your destination. In fact, it has a direct rail terminal connecting the airport.
You could take the bus or hail a cab and reach the temple premises without any hassle.
The timings from Monday to Friday are 9 a.m. to 12 noon and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. From Saturday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Follow the temple etiquettes and maintain silence while entering the main premises. Alcohol and smoking are strictly prohibited and you are requested to keep your mobile phones switched off while entering the temple.
