Tucked away within the Cow Hollow district lies a remarkable architectural treasure – the Old Temple of the Vedanta Society, recognized as America’s inaugural Hindu temple.
The inception of this establishment dates back to 1900 when Swami Vivekananda established a local branch in San Francisco, aimed at disseminating the teachings of Vedanta, a prominent school of Hindu philosophy.
Crafted under the creative direction of Swami Trigunatitananda and architect Joseph A. Leonard, the monastery materialized in 1905, commencing its religious services in January 1906. The architectural blueprint amalgamates diverse styles, drawing inspiration from the grandeur of the Taj Mahal, the serenity of Bengal temples, and the solidity of European castles, symbolizing an overarching harmony among all religious ideologies.
Remarkably, the formidable 1906 earthquake left the temple unscathed, as confirmed by the Vedanta Society of Northern California.
However, the tranquility of the temple was disrupted in 1914 when it became the unfortunate target of a bombing. During a service, a former student detonated explosives, resulting in his demise and inflicting fatal injuries upon Trigunatitananda, who succumbed to his wounds shortly after. This tragic event, as reported by SFGATE, marred the temple’s history with a somber chapter.
Zooming out from this specific incident, presently, the Old Temple serves as the venue for Friday scripture classes and Sunday school sessions catering to children, while the New Temple, situated at the junction of Vallejo and Fillmore Streets, stands as the central headquarters for the Vedanta Society.
