Hindu heritage abroad: temples and traditions beyond India

By the Nexara Holidays travel desk · 2 min read

Hindu culture spread far beyond India over centuries, through trade and migration. Many travellers find it moving to discover these connections abroad.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Originally built as a temple to Vishnu, with carvings of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. See Siem Reap (Angkor).

Prambanan, Indonesia

A ninth-century temple complex near Yogyakarta dedicated to the Trimurti of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Evening Ramayana ballet performances are held nearby.

Bali, Indonesia

Bali's Hindu culture is distinct but familiar, with temples like Besakih, Uluwatu and Tanah Lot, and daily offerings everywhere. See Bali (South Coast) and Bali's ceremonies and Nyepi: what visitors should know.

Nepal

Pashupatinath in Kathmandu is one of the most sacred Shiva temples, and the Kathmandu Valley is full of Hindu and Buddhist shrines. See Kathmandu.

Malaysia and Singapore

• Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur, with its giant Murugan statue and Thaipusam festival.
• Temples in Singapore's Little India, such as Sri Veeramakaliamman.

Mauritius

Grand Bassin, a sacred crater lake with a large Shiva statue, draws pilgrims at Maha Shivaratri. See Mauritius.

Fiji

A large Indo-Fijian community and South Indian-style temples in Nadi.

The UAE

The BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi.

Sri Lanka

Kataragama and Tamil temples in the north and east, and Ramayana-linked sites in the hill country.

Visiting

Follow local customs, which may differ from home, and dress modestly. See our Pilgrimage tours page.

Combining faith and travel

Many travellers plan trips around festivals, such as Thaipusam at Batu Caves, Maha Shivaratri in Mauritius or Galungan in Bali. Dates follow local calendars, so check the year's dates first.