Vandalism at Sri Venkateswara Temple in Cary, North Carolina, has sparked outrage among Hindu communities, with Hindu groups demanding a hate crime investigation into the deliberate damage to a sacred murti. The incident occurred early on January 18, 2026, around 3:00 a.m., when at least five suspects targeted the temple’s exterior, as captured on surveillance footage.

Incident Details

Surveillance video from the Sri Venkateswara Temple of North Carolina shows five individuals running to a small sedan before speeding away, followed by the discovery of damage to one of the Dvarapalakas—sacred guardian deity murtis—near the Raja Gopuram entrance. The Cary Police Department responded immediately after the temple reported the vandalism and is actively reviewing footage to identify the suspects, who remain at large with no arrests announced as of January 22. Police have appealed to the public for tips via Cary Crimestoppers at (919) 460-4636, emphasizing anonymity for callers.

Temple officials confirmed the inner sanctum and spiritual sanctity remain unaffected, with regular religious services continuing uninterrupted. Restoration of the damaged Dvarapalaka murti is underway following traditional agamic practices, guided by archakas and advisors to preserve its religious integrity.

Hindu Community and Advocacy Response

The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) condemned the act on X (formerly Twitter), stating it is “not ‘just vandalism'” but “an attack on a religious community,” warning that downplaying such incidents emboldens further attacks. HinduPACT’s American Hindus Against Defamation called the desecration of the sacred site “abhorrent,” urging prosecution as a hate crime and offering support to the temple while tagging local police and FBI Director Kash Patel.

Cary Town Council member Sarika Bansal, the town’s first Indian-American representative, denounced the vandalism as unacceptable, reaffirming Cary’s commitment to inclusivity for all backgrounds and solidarity with the Hindu community. The incident has heightened concerns amid reports of multiple temple vandalisms nationwide in recent years, including four desecrations in less than a year as noted by HAF in prior cases.

Rise in Hinduphobic Attacks in the West

Hinduphobia in the West has surged in recent years, with the US witnessing a sharp rise in attacks on Hindu temples—over 25 documented vandalism incidents since 2020, often featuring anti-India graffiti or pro-Khalistan slogans, according to the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA). Advocacy groups like the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) report that anti-Hindu bias now accounts for 23.3% of religiously motivated hate reports in California in 2024, surpassing anti-Muslim incidents at 14.6%, amid broader concerns including online harassment and assaults on individuals.

Notable incidents include:

• June 18, 2024: ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple, Spanish Fork, Utah, hit by 20-30 gunshots, causing structural damage while devotees were present.
• September 16, 2024: BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Melville, NY, vandalized with anti-India messages; similar attack on Sacramento temple.
• January 5, 2024: Vijay’s Sherawali Temple, Hayward, CA, graffitied amid a wave of Khalistani-linked attacks.
• March 8, 2023: Southern California Hindu temple vandalized with anti-India messages.​

In the UK, hate crimes against Hindus rose nearly 200% from 58 in 2017-18 to 166 in 2020-21, involving vandalism and assaults. These patterns highlight calls for federal probes and heightened security at Hindu sites.

Temple’s Role and Broader Context

Located in Cary’s Research Triangle region, the Sri Venkateswara Temple serves as a vital spiritual and cultural hub for North Carolina’s Hindu population, hosting religious services, festivals, educational programs, and community events. Local Hindu leadership has urged devotees to stay calm as the investigation proceeds, while police have not yet classified it as a bias-motivated crime but are probing potential motives. This event underscores ongoing worries about the safety of Hindu places of worship in the US, prompting calls for enhanced scrutiny and protection.