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Cary’s Venkateswara temple vandalized
Hindu advocacy groups have condemned the incident and called it a hate crime.
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Anushka Pathak - Wed, 21, Jan 2026
- 15:31 EST
- 29
Vandalism at the Sri Venkateswara Temple of North Carolina in Cary / Courtesy: X/@AHADHindu
The Sri Venkateswara Temple of North Carolina in Cary was vandalized on Jan. 18, temple officials said.
One of the 'Dvarapalakas' (sacred guardian deity statues) near the Raja Gopuram entrance was damaged, the officials said, adding that the incident was reported immediately to the Cary Police Department, which is reviewing surveillance footage.
ALSO READ: Hindu temple in Jersey City vandalized with ‘Gaza’ and ‘Palestine’ graffiti
Authorities also indicated that the spiritual sanctity of the temple has not been affected, and restoration of the damaged statue is being carried out in accordance with traditional agamic practices.
Hindu advocacy organizations condemned the incident and called on law enforcement to examine the vandalism.
The Hindu American Foundation said in a post on X that the act was “not ‘just vandalism’” but “an attack on a religious community,” urging a thorough investigation and warning that “silence and minimization only embolden more attacks.”
A Hindu temple in the U.S. has been vandalized. Again.
— Hindu American Foundation (@HinduAmerican) January 21, 2026
Our offices have received reports that Sri Venkateshwara Temple of North Carolina in Cary was attacked on January 18.
This is not “just vandalism.” It is an attack on a religious community. We urge the @CaryPolice to… pic.twitter.com/SqEpTHMBH3
HinduPACT’s American Hindus Against Defamation described the damage to the “sacred place of worship” as “abhorrent” and demanded that those responsible be “apprehended and prosecuted for this hate crime.” The group also offered assistance to the temple and its community, tagging local police and FBI Director Kash Patel in its outreach.
#HinduTemple #SVTempleofNC in #CaryNC has been vandalized. This vandalism of a sacred place of worship is abhorrent. The perpetrators must be apprehended and prosecuted for this #hatecrime.
— HinduPACT AHAD -American Hindus Against Defamation (@AHADHindu) January 19, 2026
We stand by to help the temple and the community. @CaryPolice @FBIDirectorKash pic.twitter.com/eD4J1fB5g0
Both organizations said the incident should be viewed as more than isolated property damage, arguing that it reflects broader concerns about the safety of Hindu places of worship in the United States and warrants scrutiny of any potential bias-driven motive.
As of Jan. 22, police have announced no arrests and have not released details about suspects or possible motives.
The episode has renewed attention to concerns raised by Hindu groups about repeated incidents of vandalism at temples nationwide in recent years.
The Sri Venkateswara Temple serves as a major spiritual and cultural center for Hindus in North Carolina’s Research Triangle region, hosting religious services, festivals, educational programs, and community events. Temple leadership has asked devotees to remain calm while the investigation continues.
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