Kadavul Temple, Hindu temple in Kauai, Hawaii, United States.
Kadavul Temple is a Hindu sanctuary on the island of Kauai featuring a collection of bronze sculptures depicting 108 dance poses and a 700-pound crystal Sivalinga in the main sanctum. The structure combines Indian architectural elements with detailed carvings throughout and houses a 16-ton Nandi bull pavilion on the grounds.
The temple was founded in 1973 by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami on land known to Native Hawaiians as Pilanakalani, meaning the fullness of heaven. This establishment created a permanent Hindu center on the Hawaiian islands with architecture and spiritual practices designed specifically for this location.
The name Kadavul comes from Tamil and means God, "He who is both immanent and transcendent." The temple is one of two at Kauai Aadheenam, the other being Iraivan Temple, and it is run by the Saiva Siddhanta Church. Its central icon is a 39-inch, 320 kg six-sided single-pointed crystal Sivalingam, said to be the largest of its kind found so far, which will one day be moved into Iraivan Temple.
The temple stands within the Kauai Aadheenam monastery beside the Wailua River, about 8 km from Mount Waialeale, on the island's wet eastern side. It is an active monastic site, so visitors should confirm access arrangements with the monastery before travelling, as the grounds are not a public park and entry is arranged rather than casual.
The sanctuary houses a 16-ton Nandi bull pavilion, a rare structure typically found only in major temples in India. This feature makes the site an extraordinary center for Hindu worship outside the Indian subcontinent.
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