The Hindu Temple Society of North America, Queens NY

The Hindu society of North America runs this temple mainly dedicated to Lord Ganapati called Maha Vallabha Ganapati temple. It's a very beautiful and very very spacious temple with a very serene atmosphere. The idol of Lord Ganapati is quite big with very intricate carvings and artwork. Further there are number of small shrines dedicated to most of the popular Gods and Goddesses all with beautiful and intricate carvings. To mention some: Shiva, Parvati, Vishnu, Lakshmi, Balaji,
Shanmukha with his consorts, Garuda, Sathyanarayana, Seetharama, Hanuman and many others.

Located in Flushing NY on a very peaceful road with not much vehicular traffic.

A very very spiritual and enlightening temple.

Very nice temple. Canteen very good. Delicious South Indian food, fast service, friendly staff.

Nice place and good temple. Overall nice, parking is a challenge but you can still get it. They do have a canteen downstairs with good south Indian food at a reasonable price.

Ableist: (

Our extended family has been coming here for decades. All of my cousins have gotten married here. We recently had a death pooja for my uncle.

We have a small child who is autistic. He requires his stroller as a place of safety and comfort especially when going to new places that have sensory overload. It is a disability accommodation for him. He is visibly autistic so they definitely knew. We have NEVER had anyone refuse us entry when we explain his disability and needs. When we asked, they said “can he walk? ” Not all people who need strollers and wheelchairs are completely unable to use their legs! Not all disabled people are in wheelchairs! There are many disabilities and accommodations people require! They offered a wheelchair which makes no sense. That is not the accommodation he needs.

Also their new building uses the word “handicapped” which is a very very out of date word.

They badly need some trainings on disabilities and disability accommodations that can catch them up with the 21st century. I’m happy to help them get connect with trainers specifically on autism and neurodivergence and how they can make their space somewhwre where ALL people, even disabled people, have a right to worship.

Well maintained temple with lot of deities around. Very quiet and right place for meditation

I had to travel for an hour to visit this temple from New jersey. It's a nice temple. Lord Ganesha is the main idol along with Lord venkateshwara, lakshmi Mata, shiva, subhramanya swamy, and many more. I have never seen guru Agasthya and Lopa mudra idols anywhere else. There is a navagraha temple separately at the backside. At the entrance, there is a shoe rack to deposit your shoes, and there is a hand and legs wash area with tap. Once you enter, there is a counter to pay for Archana and any other service. Temple is peaceful. After Darshan, they give a small cup of prasadam. There is a temple canteen where South indian food is available along with poor chole, coffee, tea cooldrinks, and snacks. You can buy anything and you have seating space to sit and enjoy your food. I recommend spicy paneer dosa here. There is a temple gift shop too to buy any pooja related things.

Best South Indian temple in all of New York City. Feels so divine. Don't miss the prasadam and temple canteen.

The best South Indian temple in NY. Feels like you're in India. Free prasadam all the time. The canteen has very nice food. Spotted Indian celebrities.

Amazingly beautiful, serene Vallabha Ganapathy temple with numerous beautifully carved idols of several Hindu gods & goddesses including: Ganesha, Shiva, Parvathi, Karthikeya, Ayyappa, Vishnu, Lakshmi, Sudarshana, Saraswathi, Durga, Kamakshi, Agasthya, Gayathri, Rama, Seetha, Lakshmana, Hanuman, Dhanvanthri, Garudalvar, Navagrahas, and others.
Beautifully maintained, and a must-visit temple.
Being a place of worship, dress code excludes shorts and torn jeans.

This place is famous for the authentic Indian food mostly! It was a great experience visiting the place. When I reached there with my friends, it was some abhishek time, so there was a small procession within the temple.

The food in the canteen downstairs is pretty good and authentic. The place is usually crowded and there’s a bit of wait time after you order food. Vada-sambar and Set dosa tasted great. I would NOT suggest to try Mango Lassi. It seemed sourer and watery than real lassis.
Has good snacks options to take home.

Peaceful temple. The main deity of this temple is Ganesh, and there are hanuman, Lakshmi, Balaji, Shiva, and murugan temples located inside the main temple complex. There is a canteen in the basement that serves authentic South Indian cuisine. Overall, it was a peaceful temple with a long history in the USA. Visit once and see, you'll feel very happy.

First time visiting a Hindu temple. The atmosphere was great, and it's very beautiful architecture with Hindu deities on the top. I heard it's the first Hindu temple in North America. And there is a Indian restaurant in the basement of the temple. The food was great. Definitely visit this temple again.

When they name Temple Canteent, then they should not seel the food prepared with onions, I am very disponted that temple canteen having food with onions.

I’m South Indian and grew up eating Dosa, and consider it one of my favorite foods. This place is exceptional and reminds me of the dosa I enjoyed growing up.

Dosa has become popular and there are a lot of restaurants taking advantage of the craze, and unfortunately do a mediocre job of recreating it. This place does it right. I also encourage you to try the vada and uttapam (tomato is my favorite) when you’re here. Absolute gem of a spot and will return again and again!

South Indian food was amazing! Wish Sambhar was a little more flavorful! But over all great place to eat and ofc pray!