RS 385 FINAL PAPER GUIDELINES
HINDU SITE VISITATION FINAL RESEARCH PROJECT (35% of grade)
LOGISTICS
Due Dates:
• Hindu Site Visitation Research Proposal: Sunday, November 24th - last
day to turn in your site/research proposal, though I highly recommend
turning it in earlier (see more info below).
• Hindu Site Visitation Research Final Paper: Thursday, December 19th
Submission: A place for you to upload your proposal and final paper is available on
Canvas in the “COURSE REQUIREMENTS & PROJECTS” Module. Please upload your
final paper as either a word doc. or .PDF - no other formats will be accepted.
Your paper should be a minimum of 1250 words (not including citations).
HINDU SITE VISITATION
This project will involve you visiting a Hindu temple/institution somewhere around
you. I would like you to attend a service or other religious function (holiday/ festival
/celebration/ritual), which you can observe or participate in. You may need to do
some research to find out when public services/functions are being held at
whichever place you choose to visit. If it is a private event, you may need to speak to
someone beforehand to make sure it is okay for you to attend. Many of these
institutions have websites where you can get this information (check their calendars
or "events" page), or you can call them directly if needed. If no functions are
happening, see if you can get a personal tour, which is also a great way to get
information about the place. I have included a list of Hindu temples/ institutions
around the Los Angeles area below, but you are welcome to choose any that is
around you, just be sure to get it approved by me before visiting.
FINAL ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH PAPER - Due by Sunday 11/24/2024
Your final ethnographic research paper will be broken up into two main parts. After
your visit to the site, 1. write a summary and reflection response about your
experience and observations at the site; and then 2. delve a bit further into
some research topic on Hinduism somehow related to your visit.
Let me break this down further:
1. The visitation portion of the paper is intended to be a descriptive account of
the religious visit and any activity you observed, neither laudatory nor critical. The
purpose is to observe the site/event carefully and empathetically, in regard to the
space and what is actually done there - you will simply describe your experiences
and observations. You should also reflect on how your personal observations from
the site visit challenged or expanded your understanding of Hinduism.
Examples about things you should try and tell me about in your paper (if
applicable), include:
– What you observed and learned during your visit
– Description of who else and roughly how many were in attendance (just
practitioners? the public? specific ethnic/regional community?)
– Is there a primary deity or just multiple deities represented? What specific
branch or sect of Hinduism does this particular religious institution belong
to?
– Any information regarding the history of the space (When was it established
and by whom or what group?)
– Any other interesting observations you can make about the space (religious
symbols, art, architecture, etc.) or the event (How it was set up? How was
worship conducted? What rituals or religious practices took place?)
– What was the meaning, significance, and function of the service/ritual/event
you attended - particularly to participants (worshippers or priest?) This
could involve you doing a short interview with participants or religious
leaders there.
– Make sure to include at least one a picture of yourself at the site along
with any other interesting photos you would like to share at the end of
your paper. If photography is not allowed inside, photos from outside
the building are ok.
2. Further research portion: Your visit will serve as an entry point into deeper
research about some aspect of Hinduism that is somehow related to your visit. For
example, you could research further on the following topics:
• The particular branch, or sub-branch, of Hinduism which this institution
belongs to. In this case you could look at the history and emergence of this
branch and/or discuss its particular philosophical point of view and/or
associated religious practices
• Some deeper research into of the particular deity or deities of the temple including its symbolism, history and mythology
• Analysis of some art, sculpture, and/or architecture of the temple
• If it was an event/holiday/festival you attended, you could do further
research into the history and significance of this event within Hinduism
• Analysis of some particular scripture associated with the temple
• Deeper analysis into one the religious practices you may have witnessed
For example, perhaps you visit a Krishna temple associated with the Vaishnava
sub-branch known as ISKCON aka the Hare Krishnas. In this case, your paper should
discuss your observations and experience during the site visit, while the next
portion can discuss a bit more about this particular branch of Hinduism (in this case
Gaudiya Vaishnavism) - including things like its history, its founder, and/or research
into its particular philosophical system. Your paper should incorporate knowledge
that we've been learning about Hinduism in class as well as 2-3 other academic
sources (articles/books). Note: Wikipedia is not considered an academic resource though it does point to a number of references which you should look up and which
could potentially be used.
SITE VISITATION RESEARCH PROPOSAL: Due Sunday, November 24th
Your Hindu Site Visitation Research Project proposal should include the following
information:
1. The name of the site/institution you wish to visit (along with address and
website, if they have one.
2. The event or service you hope to attend (including date, if there is one)
3. What topic associated with the temple you hope to research deeper (in some
cases, this could change depending on your site visitation experience)
4. 2-3 academic sources you could potentially use for your paper - give full
citations
If you have any questions or need help, please arrange a time to visit me over Zoom.
Some reminders:
•
•
If you are using any research sources (online/articles/books/pamphlets) make
sure you cite them properly. You may use the citation style of your choice (MLA,
APA, Chicago, etc.), but please be consistent. For more information, go to:
https://libguides.csun.edu/research-strategies/citing-sources
As stated previously, we have software which can detect online plagiarism and
the use of AI generated information, so be sure to only use your own words or
cite properly if using quotations. Anyone who fails to do this will receive severe
consequences, so don't take any chances!
SAMPLE HINDU SITES IN GREATER LOS ANGELES REGION – FEEL FREE TO
CHOOSE YOUR OWN AS LONG AS IT IS APPROVED BY ME!
Note: not all info may be updated, double check before visiting!
HINDUISM
Vedanta Society of Southern California
Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) Mount
1946 Vedanta Pl Los Angeles, CA 90068
Washington International Headquarters
Phone: (323) 465-7114
3880 San Rafael Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90065;
http://www.vedanta.org/
Phone (323) 225-2471
Founded by Swami Vivekananda's disciple
Founded by Indian yogi/mystic/guru,
Swami Prabhavananda in 1930
Paramahansa Yogananda, in 1920
Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine
17190 W Sunset Blvd Pacific Palisades, CA
90272
Phone: (310) 454-4114
http://www.lakeshrine.org
Sri Aurobindo Center of Los Angeles and
the East-West Cultural Center
12329 Marshall St, Culver City, CA 90230
Phone: (310) 390-9083
http://www.sriaurobindocenter-la.org/
Founded in 1953 by a direct disciple of the
Mother and Sri Aurobindo and enshrines the
sacred relics of Sri Aurobindo
ISKCON - International Society for
Krishna Consciousness of Los Angeles
3764 Watseka Ave, LA, CA 90034
Phone: (310) 836-2676
https://www.iskconla.com/
ISKCON - Laguna Beach
285 Legion St, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
https://lagunatemple.org/
Shree Venkateswara Malibu Hindu
Temple
1600 Las Virgenes Canyon Rd, Calabasas,
CA 91302
Phone: (818) 880-5552
www.malibuhindutemple.org
Transcendental Meditation Los Feliz
1655 Hillhurst Ave, #102 LA, CA 90027
Phone: (323) 375-4108
https://www.tm.org/transcendentalmeditation-la
Founded by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
Transcendental Meditation - West LA
Phone: (323) 375-4108
2001 S Barrington Ave, #202
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Valley Hindu Temple
18700 Roscoe Blvd Northridge, CA 91325
(818) 772-7736
www.valleyhindutemple.org/
Ma Durga Temple
2007 E Foothill Blvd Pasadena, CA 91107
Phone: (626) 578-9009
http://www.madurgatemple.org
Lakshmi Temple
8130 Laurel Canyon Blvd, North
Hollywood, CA-91605
Phone: (818) 827 7927
www.ashtalakshmitemplela.org
Radha Krishna Mandir
12634 Pioneer Blvd, Norwalk, CA 90650
Phone: (562) 868-9059
http://www.radhakrishna.org/
Shree Pashupatinath & Buddha Mandir
10843 Kenney St, Norwalk, CA 90650
Phone: (562) 864-7600
http://www.pashupatinathfoundation.org/
https://www.facebook.com/SPFULA
Gayatri Temple
22116 Pioneer Blvd, Hawaiian Gardens, CA
90716
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
15100 Fairfield Ranch Rd.
Chino Hills, CA 91709 USA
Phone: (909) 614 5000
https://www.baps.org/GlobalNetwork/North-America/LosAngeles.aspx
2nd largest Hindu temples in the U.S. - highly
recommend for its beautiful architecture
Diorama-Museum of Bhagavad-gita
3764 Watseka Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 845-9333, info@bgmuseum.com
https://www.bgmuseum.com/Sri Ashta
Pasadena Shiva Temple
46 N Lotus Ave, Pasadena, CA 91107
Phone: (626) 304-0794
http://www.losangeleshindusociety.org/
Hindu Temple and Indian Cultural Center
21213 Devonshire St Ste 219, Chatsworth, CA,
91311
(818) 772-6020
Shri Nand Shiv Durga Mandir
3412 W Beverly Blvd, Montebello, CA 90640
Phone: (626) 808-5457
https://shivmandirca.org/
Sanatan Dharma Hindu Temple
15311 Pioneer Blvd, Norwalk, CA 90650
Phone: (562) 484-0822
Sdtemplela@gmail.com
https://www.sdtemple.org/
Shree Swaminarayan Temple
15213 Pioneer Blvd, Norwalk, CA 90650
Phone: (562) 864-8801
http://www.issola.com/
Shree Swami Narayan Temple
12147 Lakewood Blvd, Downey, CA 90242
Phone: (562) 622-0554
https://www.sssmla.org/
Radha Govind Dham Los Angeles
5530 Donna Ave, Tarzana, CA 91356
Phone: (818) 403-3270
Phone: (562) 425-3970
http://www.gayatrimandir.com/
https://www.rgdla.org/
Sri Panchamukha Hanuman Temple
3555 Lomita Blvd Unit A, Torrance, CA
90505
Phone: (310) 561-8082
https://www.hanumantemplela.org/
Kali Mandir
20371 Sun Valley Dr Laguna Beach, CA
92651
Phone:(949) 494-1906
http://www.kalimandir.org
Shri Siddhivinayak (Ganesha) Temple
201 West Ash Street, Brea, CA 92821
https://siddhivinayakla.org/
Bharat Sevashram Sangha
5600 Carbon Canyon Rd Brea, CA 92823
Phone: (714) 494-4531
http://www.bsswest.org
Los Angeles Hindu Temple & Cultural
Center
5306 S Normandie Ave, Los Angeles, CA
90037
Phone: 213-820-2671
https://losangeleshindutemple.org/
Bengali Hindu Temple established in 2018
KAILASA Los Angeles: Nithyanandeshwara
Hindu Temple
9720 Central Ave, Montclair CA 91763
Phone: 909-625-1400
info@nithyanandavedictemple.org
https://www.latemple.org/
Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan
144 S 4th St Montebello, CA 90640
Phone: (323) 721-1772
http://www.shirdisaila.org
Shree Ramkabir Mandir
530 E 231st St, Carson, CA 90745
Phone: (310) 549-4492
https://kabirtemple.org/
Please note: For all visits, please wear regular, conservative "church/temple"
clothing. In most Hindu Temples, shoes are not allowed inside the temple, so be
prepared. Please bring at least one dollar to all sites as an offering. As a guest, please
show humbleness, patience, and respect at all times.
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Justin Javaherian
CSUN
RS385
11-16-2024
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Hindu Site Visitation Research Project Proposal
Site Name and Address:
I propose undertaking a site visit to Malibu Hindu Temple, situated at 1600 Las Virgenes Canyon
Road, Calabasas, Los Angeles, California. The website of the temple is https://
malibuhindutemple.org.
Event or Service:
I will be able to attend a Puja in the temple on a weekend when the temple conducts religious
activities in conjunction with congregational gatherings. I will try to visit next week or the
following week, whichever is feasible. The required information of the schedule would be
obtained from the temple itself prior to the visit.
Research Topic:
My focus is on how rituals create this sense of togetherness and spiritual growth within the
Southern California Hindu diaspora. More narrowly, I have in mind an examination of how
ceremonies like Abhishekam work to create cultural memory and reinforce religious identities
within diaspora communities. This will provide a context for analyzing just how the performance
of Puja ceremonies within a temple binds individual spirituality to communal tradition.
Depending on how this plays out in my observations, I may also extend my focus to examine how
diaspora temples balance traditional practices with modern amenities reflective of the unique
needs within their communities.
Academic Sources:
Sharma, A. (2019). Modern Hinduism in Global Perspective: Ritual, Culture, and Identity. Routledge.
Singh, K., & Mohan, R. (2021). "The Impact of Rituals on Social Cohesion in Diaspora Communities."
Journal of Hindu Studies, 14(2), 134-156.
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