Himalayan Academy / Kauai’s Hindu Monastery

It’s amazing experience. They have done a good job to authenticate the structures. The lush garden in a small setting is worth looking.

Who knew there was a really nice Hindu monastery in beautiful Kauai! Such an idyllic location with the sounds and views of flowing water, lots of greenery, amazing banyan trees and just a great spiritual setting. I wish I could have spent more time there and learned more about their history but it was too hot and humid for me. Yes, I am a spoilt city slicker.

Beautiful, serene, & a must visit. Be advised of dress code & no pictures allowed to be taken in the chapel itself but free game on the grounds.

If you’re on the island of Kauai this monastery is a lovely site to visit. The banyon tree forest, while small, is amazing and the rest of the grounds are lush and have beautiful plants. As you walk to the back side of the property where guests are allowed to visit, you’ll see the temple (which is only available to those who are there to attend a service or are studying there), and you’ll see a vista view of a river and waterfall that is mesmerizing. As you would expect in a monastery setting, it is a serene and contemplative environment. Choose to do more than visit just the beaches. Visit the Hindu Monastery. It’s lovely.

We arrived too late to go inside. So we just took pictures of the exterior grounds. It is very peaceful up there. But the one thing that I really liked was the burning of your problems in the granite cauldron. I only burned one… lol! They also have sarongs for those who are wearing shorts which are not allowed in the temple.
Just a little down the road is the Sacred Forest which is adjacent to the monastery grounds. We wouldn’t have known about it if it wasn’t for this couple who told us about it. Very peaceful
Both places are definitely worth visiting for a spiritual journey or out of curiosity.

Free tour on a Tuesday at 9am. Not sure if they are all the time or if we just happened to get there at the right time. The guide was informative and friendly. The tent discussion can get a little lengthy for younger kids (it was about an hour). Very beautiful gardens and peaceful morning spent learning about Hindus.

This place is gorgeous! it’s so peaceful. when I came to visit last week while in Kauai we got to meet a few of the monks and they were very welcoming you should definitely stop by if you’re in the area.

A must do for all Hindus visiting the island. Very spiritual and serene. One of the best Shiva Temples in America.

what a great find in an amazing setting.
there’s so much to see here including a rudraksha forest up the road
the temple is still being built

Came to this place when looking for a waterfall in a nearby place. One of the must se places in Kauai. If anyone looking for inner peace and calm do visit this temple and be lost the spirutual happiness. It has a meditation place under banyan tree. The temple inside has Lord Ganesh and Lord Shiva.

Beautiful Hindu temple to visit while in Kauai. It is located in the mountains of Kapaa set in the most beautiful natural forest by the river. If you plan on visiting check their website for detailed information. This is a very sacred spiritual place filled with peace and tranquility. I hope to go back and spend more time to meditate.

Continuing along Hwy 580W, around 4^th mile marker you turn left on Kaholalele Rd to enter into Hindu monastery. Felt peaceful and divine being in that place. The temple is closed to public at noon and hindus are allowed inside during ceremonies. It was drizzling a bit and weather was perfect (not sultry). We weren’t bothered by mosquitoes or any insects. They have a telescope to view their upcoming temple construction across the river. Construction is supposed to complete in 2017.
We drove further on Hwy 50W and stopped at the Rudraksha tree garden. Couple of benches are placed for meditating.
Definitely traveling to Kauai again and visiting the temple.

A MUST if you’re visiting this island. Why? cause it’s FREEEEE and also because you want to explore some of the culture on this island.
Dress code, no bare arms or legs, BUT they provide sarongs for you to use to cover yourself up, which added to the experience.
The ceremony starts at 9am and the gates leading to the temple are closed, but as we were wandering the front of the grounds one of the monks told us we could go past the gate while the ceremony was going on inside.
Came on July fourth and luckily we were practically the only ones there besides those who came to pray.
The Banyan tree alone is worth the trip.
Google map the address and you should have no problem finding the place.

The location of this monastery and temple under construction is very interesting. On our way up to the temple we passed an ancient Hawaiian haeia … (Temple). This whole area has a lot of spiritual aura. The temple grounds are beUtiful. Can’t wait to return once the larger temple is done. The work being out into it is amazing…

What a WONDERFUL place! We love visiting temples, churches, monasteries, etc. and we did the 9am guided tour of the Hindu Temple in Kapaa. In a word AMAZING. The huge piece of land is immaculately cared for and the environment is peaceful and powerful. The tour was well done and allows you to view the grounds and visit the new temple (the first hand carved temple produced in centuries) and wraps up in the current temple. The history is rich, the grounds lush and the tour was enlightening.
This is well worth the time for anyone, whether a student of eastern religions or not. Some tips:
The tour is free but call ahead to reserve a parking space
If you wear shorts, a tank top or short skirt you must wear a sarong that they supply
Bring cash to donate to the cause or at least buy something in the shop… we need to support this wonderful gift
Leave your stress at the gate and enjoy the serenity

When we finally found the monastery, which was a bit difficult to find after bumping into several signs that read, «This is not the Hindu Monastery!» there was a dude on his cell phone in the parking lot speaking extremely loudly. Fine, okay, we gave him stink-​eye and moved on. The staff that greeted us were lovely and we put on the available sarongs so we would be covered appropriately to enter the monastery. Cell phone dude proceeds to enter the monastery in shorts, doesn’t notice the sarong-​station, is still speaking SO loudly on his phone, that my husband had to go up to him and ask him to politely get off his phone. I was bracing myself for a possible altercation, but I think the beauty of the surroundings perhaps sunk-​in and he apologized, joined his family, got a sarong, and seemed to be able to enjoy the moment with his loved ones and enabled us to do the same!
What a remarkable place and so worth seeking out. Leave the cell phones behind, take some deep breaths, really be in the moment, and don’t forget to give a donation when you leave :)

I will definitely visit here again when I am on Kauai. Just like you don’t need to be Christian to appreciate a cathedral, you don’t need to be Hindu to feel the peace & love & beauty here at the monastery. We did the self-​guided tour and we attended the puja in the temple, felt a warm welcome there and enjoyed the ritual. The river, rapids and pool were one of the loveliest sights we saw on all of Kauai. I would like to go on the guided tour next time.

This is from the past years’ experience: I visit Kauai about once a year. Every time I visit the island, I like to visit this place.
Tip1: Check their website for schedule on visiting hours, guided tours.
Tip2: Keep your skin covered.
Tip3: A lot of mosquitos are expected due to the rain and moisture.
Tip4: Get a good map. It is not easy to find.
A lot of unique plants at site. I love this quiet forest with nice view of mountain and the river.
Behind the temple, there is a small little garden with blue marbles — unreal!
Unilocal 365 — ³³¹⁄₃₆₅

We’ve been twice. Once to just see the entrance grounds, and another time for the tour. Either way is worth it, but if you can, call ahead and make reservations for the tour. By the way, if you really want to take the tour and can’t get a reservation, you could take a cab from Kapaa. The reservation is just for a parking spot.
The grounds are peaceful and beautiful. The tour was friendly and informative (a quick intro to the Hindu religion, the founders of the monastery, explanation of grounds, and a walk around the AMAZING hand-​carved temple.)
Yes, the mosquitos are particularly bad here. Put on bug juice BEFORE you go in. One of the guests asked if it was okay to slap a mosquito, considering the non-​violent principles of Hinduism. The guide had a great answer — that it was okay, since it was a «home invasion». Funny.

When you think «Hawaiian vacation,» «Hindu Monastery» isn’t usually the first thing that comes to mind. However, the Ultimate Kaua’i Guidebook swears it’s well-​worth a visit, and after our stroll of the grounds today I can see why.
The Himalayan Academy and Monastery is situated on 350+ acres a bit inland, with spectacular views overlooking the Wailua River. And as trite as it may sound, as soon as you set foot on the grounds, an overwhelming sense of tranquility washes over you.
A small gazebo near the entrance gives visitors a brief explanation of Hinduism, and of the grounds and temples which were established on Kaua’i in the early 70s. Visitors are asked to dress and behave appropriately. Which means: no shorts or skirts, no sleeveless tops, no tee-​shirts, and no hats. Guidebooks and the Monastery’s website make these «rules» clear; but if for some reason one arrives with improper dress, saris are provided. Tours are self-​guided daily from 9 – 12 and visitors can drop in at any time, or guided once a week (usually Wednesdays) for 90 minutes beginning at 9 am. Reservations are a must for the guided tour.
The grounds are lush and green, abundant with plant life. Incredibly friendly and informative staff in traditional Hindu garments are scattered throughout, ready to answer questions. Most impressive is the Kadavul Temple to Lord Ganesha with an enormous 16 ton statue of Nandi presiding in front. Remove your shoes and step inside the sacred space where others are engaged in silent prayer or meditation, and lovely gold statues depicting each of the 108 karanas of Lord Siva’s Tandava line the walls.
When you’ve finished touring the grounds, take a two minute drive farther up 580 to the rudraksha forest. The monks planted this grove 25 years ago, and it’s the only stand of rudraksha (or Blue Marble) trees in the U.S. The trees are sacred to the Hindu religion, and the seeds are worn close to the body to bring good health and mental peace.
A fabulous place to restore the soul on an already soul-​restoring isle.