A combination of the fascinating spiritual rites and lengthy histories, temples are monuments that draw large crowds of people, and Australia is home to several of these enthralling sites. Whether it is one of the Hindu temples in Sydney or the Buddhist monasteries, people of all religions from all over the world come to visit these spiritual sites.

Famous Temples In Sydney That’s a Must-Visit

Temples become essential to a city’s cultural environment and provide a window into the illustrious spiritual traditions. Many architectural wonders reflect a country’s rich cultural and creative legacy. Here’s a compilation of 18 must-visit temples of Sydney. 

1. Sydney Murugan Temple

Sydney Murugan Temple is one of Sydney’s most well-known Hindu temples in NSW. The temple is devoted to Lord Murugan, who is called the God of War and is the most revered in South India. It is also one of the most preferred wedding destinations for South Indian Hindus in Sydney.

The temple is carved with commendable intricate designs, and the environment is lovely. The air filled with the rejuvenating scent of sandalwood would take all your worries away. The chanting of the priests and the serene beauty filled with idols will calm you and supply you with positive energy once you step into the Sydney Murugan Temple.

Location: 217 Great Western Highway, Mays Hill NSW 2145, Australia

2. Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery

One of Sydney’s most prominent Buddhist temples is the Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery, New South Wales. It was founded on August 14, 1999, and has since gained international fame. On December 10, 2007, the Sydney monastery was established.

People from all over come to learn about Dhamma because of their excellent environment for meditation and adhering to the Dhamma. They are welcome regardless of their faith or cultural background. They also host unique occasions that everyone can attend.

Location: 105 Wisemans Ferry Road, Cattai, NSW 2756, Australia.

3. Shree Swaminarayan Temple

With a rich history, Shree Swaminarayan Temple was built in response to the vision of His Holiness Acharya Maharaj Shree Tejendra Prasad Ji. It is among Sydney’s most well-known Hindu temples of NSW. The temple is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan, one of the eminent Hindu deities. Besides Lord Swaminarayan, Guru Parampara, Lord Shiva, and Lord Krishna are worshipped here.

The temple is built in the Nagara architectural style and is surrounded by a vast area of preserved gardens. Whether a devotee or not, people from all over the world visit this temple to seek the deities’ blessings and for a better spiritual connection. The subdued atmosphere of this temple is a perfect place to ease the mind.

Location: 1-3 Tasha Pl, Kings Park NSW 2148, Australia

4. Bodhisaddha Forest Monastery

The Bodhisaddha Forest Monastery officially opened on April 20, 2012. It provides a haven for monks and laypeople to study and follow the Buddha’s path of spiritual development. The monastery is a model community where monks are encouraged to live lives of charity and reflection.

The environment is ideal not only for the locals but also for the tourists. Visitors can learn about the Buddha’s teachings, which will aid them in developing the virtues of kindness, belief, and mindfulness.

The mission of Bodhisaddha Forest Monastery is to spread Dhamma and provide tranquillity to the lives of people and the local community. As a result, it is one of Sydney, New South Wales’s most well-known Buddhist temples.

Location: 654, Cabramatta Road W, Bonnyrigg New South Wales 2177, Australia

5. Sai Temple

Also known as Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, the Sai Temple is devoted to the spiritual leader Shirdi Sai Baba, one of the most celebrated among all the Hindu deities. With a rich history, the temple was founded in Sydney by a group of devotees devoted to Sai Baba and his spiritual teachings.

This temple is one of the most sought-after temples, and people from every corner of Sydney flock here to seek blessings and spiritual guidance from the leader. Sai Baba is the prime deity in this temple; people also look for Lord Ganesha, Goddess Durga, and Lord Hanuman.

The peaceful atmosphere of the temple is an immaculate place for meditation and spiritual introspection. One can feel the divine presence and spiritual aura once they step into the temple’s boundaries, and their mind and body will feel revitalized at once.

Location: 25 Rose Crescent, Regent Parks, New South Wales 2143

6. Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Temple

One of Sydney’s must-see Buddhist temples is the Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Temple, which is referred to as the biggest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. The outside is enormous, and you can enjoy lovely views of Wollongong from a hill nearby. Before entering the main temple complex area, you may walk up there and explore.

The complex’s architecture is odd; it was built using modern methods to resemble a Chinese palace. The inside is enormous and includes a museum, meeting spaces, conference rooms, cultural centers, restaurants, and lodging options.

In addition, it has two enormous prayer rooms home to countless statues of the Buddha and the Bodhisattva.

Location: 180 Berkeley Road, Berkeley, NSW 2506, Australia.

7. Sydney Shakti Temple

Sydney Shakti Temple is one of those deeply culturally embedded temples in Sydney, situated on Old Windsor Road. It is a perfect location for significant occasions, including realizing a couple’s dream wedding. The temple bases all of its guiding ideas and ideals on Karma and Dharma, and the devotees believe nothing is more significant than them.

People can enrich themselves with culture and education once they enter this sacred shrine, which adheres to Hinduism’s principles and teachings. Shakti and the Navagrahas are worshipped in this temple.

Location: Old Windsor Road, Toongabbie, NSW 2146, Australia

8. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

One of Sydney’s most well-known temples is the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, often known as Sri Swami Narayan Mandir or BAPS. Shastriji Maharaj founded this subdued and exquisite temple. It is firmly based on Vedic principles and has branches in every corner of the world.

One can find the sculptures of Shri Swaminarayan and Guru Parampara inside the temple, which has an intensely ethereal aura. The temple is also the house of other deities such as Lord Krishna, Goddess Radha, Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, Lord Ram, and Hanuman.

Location: 40 Eleanor St, Rosehill NSW 2142, Australia

9. Sri Venkateswara Temple

The Sri Venkateswara temple Helensburgh is dedicated to Sri Venkateswara, also known as Lord Balaji. With a long and rich history, the temple was founded in the 1980s by some devotees who highly believed in Lord Balaji.

The temple is established in serene surroundings- woodlands and verdant meadows surround it. It is one of the significant pilgrimage sites for Hindus in Sydney, and worshippers from everywhere get drawn to this place. While Lord Venkateswara is the temple’s central deity, worshippers honor Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva, and Sri Tripurasundari.

The Sri Venkateswara temple adds to Helensburgh’s old-world charm, enriching the atmosphere of the entire city. It is highly noted for its ornate gopuram or the gateway tower decorated with exquisite carvings and sculptures, a feature of traditional South Indian architecture.

Location: Temple Road, Helensburgh, NSW 2508, Australia

10. Shri Shiva Mandir

Serving Lord Shiva, one of the most revered Hindu gods in Hinduism, Shri Shiva Mandir is one of Sydney’s most well-known and ancient Hindu temples. It was founded in 1991 by some devotees who believed in Lord Shiva. The temple stands tall, and a non-profit organization working to its full extent strives for the societal advancement of religion and education.

Spanning up to five sections of land, this temple sits in beautiful surroundings that will surely delight your inner connoisseur with its divine aura. Besides Lord Shiva, other deities glorified in the temple are Lord Muruga, Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman, Ram-Sita-Laxman, Radha-Krishna, Nandikeshwara, and the Navagrahas.

Location: 201 Eagleview Rd, Minto NSW 2566, Australia

11. Sydney Durga Temple

One of Sydney’s most well-known Hindu temples is the Sydney Durga Temple, often called the Regents Park Temple. The temple’s stunning designs, icons, and architecture make it one of the best venues for auspicious occasions, such as temple weddings.

The philanthropic establishment of Shri Durgadevi Devasthanam runs it. While the incarnation of Goddess Parvati is the prime deity of the temple, worshippers also honor Goddess Saraswathi and Goddess Lakshmi here. The calmness one feels when one steps into the interior is unparalleled, as Goddess Durga is there to protect her worshippers from evil forces.

Location: 21 Rose Cres, Regents Park NSW 2143, Australia

12. ISKCON Temple

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness Temple, usually known by its abbreviation ISKCON, is a well-known Hindu temple located in Sydney that is also well-known across the globe. The Sydney branch was founded in 1966, and the organization is based on the Vaishnava tradition and the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.

The ISKCON temple in Sydney is devoted to Lord Krishna and his celestial consort, Radha. The intricate interior reflects the lives and teachings of Radha and Krishna through exquisite sculptures and murals.

Followers of Krishna from every corner of the city and the world get drawn to this abode with an amicable and welcoming ambiance. They seek blessings, spiritual growth, and connection. The temple offers its members and the more extensive community educational lectures, cultural festivals, and volunteer opportunities in addition to traditional Hindu rites and practices.

Location: 180 Falcon St, North Sydney NSW 2060, Australia

13. Mingyue Lay Buddhist Temple

A trip to Sydney’s magnificent Mingyue Lay Buddhist Temple, one of the oldest Chinese Buddhist temples still in existence, would be incomplete without a stop here. Since its humble beginnings as a café in 1982, this Buddhist temple has grown to occupy an area of almost 16,000 square kilometers.

The Buddhist Temple is a magnificent illustration of the Buddhist Mahayana tradition, towering tall with its front towards the East and its rear facing the West. As it is modeled after Chinese architecture from the 12th century, its building lacks the towering, pointed spires seen in Buddhist temples in Cambodia and Laos.

The inside and outside of the structure were built utilizing supplies often seen in Chinese temples. The interior is at its finest, and for a tiny glimpse, the Main Shrine, the room with the largest and most spectacular hall, has 37 bronze Buddha statues imported from Thailand.

Location: 654, Cabramatta Road W, Bonnyrigg NSW 2177, Australia.

14. Sri Karphaga Vinayagar Temple

The Sri Karphaga Vinayagar Temple is the most exquisite and celestial of all the Hindu temples in Sydney, with a glorious and rich culture. Lord Ganesha, the God who eliminates all barriers and the patron deity of this temple, is reportedly worshipped here. Hindu couples who want to tie their knots in a Hindu temple prefer this establishment. As one steps inside the premises, one can feel the heavenly grace of the Karphaga Vinayakar.

Sri Karphaga Vinayakar temple celebrates the Vinayaka or Ganesh Chaturthi and Sankara Hara Chaturthi with great joy and delight. Festivals like Navarathri, Skanthashashti, Thiruvembavai, Deepavali or Diwali, Shiv Rathri, Tamil, and English New Year are also celebrated tremendously.

Location: 123 The Crescent Homebush West NSW 2140

15. Sri Mandir

A Hindu place full of spirituality and culture, this temple is Sydney’s first and oldest. It is home to various deities such as Sri Radha Krishna, Lord Rama, Lord Shiva, and Goddess Durga. Founded in 1977 by a small group of devotees, the Sri Mandir has a long history and proffers a spectrum of cultural occasions and religious services.

Location: 286 Cumberland Road, Auburn NSW 2144

16. Mukti Gupteshwar Mandir

An abode of Hindu weddings, the Mukti Gupteshwar temple serves the thirteenth jyotirlinga Gupteshwar, who is incarnate of Lord Shiva. It is one of Sydney’s oldest Hindu temples, opening its doors in 1999. Besides that, it is the first and the only temple to date that is an artificial cave temple.

Other than Mukti Gupteshawr, the temple houses 12 other replicas of jyotirlingas. The interior will leave you spellbound as it is filled with 1228 replicas as well as 108 lingas and 1008 fannings of Lord Shiva, representing the Rudra and Shastra names.

The temple celebrates many festivals like Maha Shiva Ratri, Shravan, Bhairava Ashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, and others with incomparable power. Pilgrims from every corner of the world visit this one of the biggest attractions of Sydney.

Location: 203 Eagleview Rd, Minto NSW 2566

17. Shri Ram Krishna Temple

Sydney’s Shri Ram Krishna temple is devoted to Lord Ram and his divine consort, Goddess Sita. Devotees of Ram and Sita flock here to seek spirituality and follow the sacred path of The Legend. Other than the prime deities, one can also find the idols of Lord Hanuman, Lord Laxman, Goddess Radha, Lord Krishna, and Lord Shiva in the temple.

Location: 275 Fifteenth Ave, Austral NSW 2179

18. Sri Vakratunda Mahakaya Temple

One of Sydney’s oldest Hindu temples, it is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Flowing rich history, Hindu settlers established the Sri Vakratunda Mahakaya Temple in the late 1980s. It has become a famous shrine of worship since its establishment. Besides the prime deity, worshipers also honor Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Location: 1292 Mountain Hwy, The Basin VIC 3154, Australia

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many temples are there in Sydney?

Whatever your religion, Sydney is home to a large number of temples. When you travel to Sydney, you might stop by them.

2. Which is the famous Hindu temple in Australia?

Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar is a famous Hindu temple in Australia. You should go to this holy shrine devoted to Lord Ganesha to connect with the spiritual world.

3. What is the famous Buddhist temple in Sydney?

The famous Buddhist temple in Syndey is the Nan Tien Temple. It is one of the Sydney Buddhist temples that you must visit. The outside is enormous, and a hill nearby offers lovely views of Wollongong. You can stop there before going to the main temple complex area.

4. Which was the first Hindu temple in Sydney?

Sri Mandir is the first and oldest Hindu temple in Sydney. It is home to various deities such as Sri Radha Krishna, Lord Rama, Lord Shiva, and Goddess Durga. Founded in 1977 by a small group of devotees, the temple holds a long history. It proffers a spectrum of cultural occasions and holy assistance by the temple volunteers.

Last Updated on March 6, 2024 by Namrata