A Hindu temple in Cary, North Carolina, was vandalised, the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) confirmed on January 18, 2026. The organisation said the attack targeted the Sri Venkateshwara Temple and urged local authorities to treat it as a hate crime.
“This is not ‘just vandalism.’ It is an attack on a religious community,” HAF said in a statement. “Silence and minimization only embolden more attacks.”
Hindu Temple in North Carolina Vandalised
According to the temple’s official communication, one of the Dvārapālakas (guardian statues) outside the temple premises was damaged in the incident. A note to devotees read: “The incident has been documented, and appropriate authorities have been notified. We are actively working with the Cary Police Department and reviewing available surveillance footage as part of the ongoing investigation. We are fully cooperating with them.”
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
The temple reassured the community that the sanctity of the temple remains intact. Religious advisors and priests are guiding the repair process and any necessary rituals, in line with agamic traditions. “While this is deeply distressing to all of us, we want to reassure the community that the sanctity of the temple has not been compromised. Our priests and advisors are guiding us on the appropriate religious procedures, including repair and any required prāyaścitta, in strict accordance with ägamic traditions.”
Rising trend of attacks on Hindu temples in the US
In recent years, there has been a concerning increase in vandalism at Hindu temples across North America, according to advocacy groups and official reports.
The Hindu American Foundation earlier claimed that at least 20 incidents have occurred since 2022, including several in Canada. The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, a major Hindu organisation, has been particularly targeted, with several temples vandalised over the past three years.
Many of these attacks carry political undertones, often carrying anti-India messages. According to HAF, several of these incidents are being investigated by the FBI and local police departments as hate crimes or acts of “criminal mischief” targeting a religious community.