Clocking in at a whopping 45,000 square feet, the Hindu Temple of Minnesota is the biggest mandir of its kind in North America—and it just happens to be sitting in a corn field in Maple Grove. At the heart of the 13-year-old property, which is run by the Hindu Society of Minnesota, is a vast, sun-dappled prayer hall. Twenty-one ornate shrines, each a miniaturized replica of a famous temple in India, line the perimeter. Nattily festooned columns and hand-hammered brass and copper doors are a sight for sore eyes, but leave your camera in your bag; photography is not permitted indoors.
The temple has 10,000 members, but you needn’t be religious to visit; everyone is welcome here. Check the temple’s calendar for special events, including dance performances and concerts, art shows, free yoga and meditation classes, vegetarian lunches (weekends only), a Cultural Heritage Day carnival, and blowout Holi and Diwali celebrations in March and October, respectively.
Temple tours are also available on Saturdays and Sundays starting at 9:30 a.m. and running every hour on the hour until close. Drop-ins are welcome, unless you’re rolling ten-deep—then you need to make a proper reservation (email manager@hsmn.org for details). The suggested donation is $5 per person.
Hindu Temple of Minnesota
10530 Troy Lane N., Maple Grove, MN; 763-425-9449.