I want you to close your eyes and imagine that you are here with me. Well, don't really close your eyes. You wouldn't be able to read. But you know what I mean. Visualize Georgia.
What do you see? Do you see Plantation houses? Spanish moss? Lots of traffic?
What do you taste?
Grits? Peaches? B-B-Q? The wonder that is sweet tea?
What do you hear?
The call of Bulldog fans (sic 'em Dawgs, woof, woof, woof)? Country music? Engines roaring from the Atlanta Motor speedway? The soft lilt of a southern drawl?
Now I am going to show you Georgia. Because when you think "Georgia" - you think Hindu temple. 
Right? NO? Well, you should. Georgia is home to the largest Hindu temple outside of India.
And this temple is right here in my suburban city - Lilburn.
And the juxtaposition of the sacred.
With the profane is so Georgia.
Have I mentioned how much I like SAT words?
We have the iconic suburban strip mall - with the Publix grocery store.
And then across the street we have this:
The grounds of the temple are beautiful.
It is very peaceful.
And quiet.
The definition of serenity.
And for a few minutes, one might forget that we are smack dab in the middle of suburbia.
And we might imagine that we we are world travelers. 
Instead of looking at an example of what is quintessentially Georgian.
Ya'll come back now...
Theme song: The Beatles - Within You, Without You
Wow, that is amazing.
ReplyDeleteHow long has it been there?
Have fun on your BATW day!!
I love it. Just love it. Kat you are the best!
ReplyDeleteHow cool. I didn't even know that temple was in Lilburn. I really thought I was traveling outside of the country. Just goes to show our state is an original!
ReplyDeleteI lived in Marietta for four years. Never heard about the temple. I closed my eyes and all I saw was Kudzu:}
ReplyDeleteLOL
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine that there are many other places in America where one can find a strip mall and a sacred temple within such a close vicinity of one another! Georgia sure sounds original.
Wow... I had no idea. (and I grew up just one state away from you) Beautiful structure and grounds! (visiting via BATW from L.A.)
ReplyDeletetwo random thoughts---wasn't that temple on an episode of the Teletubbies once? And wouldn't you like to be hindu? Those ladies are always dressed SO pretty--even at the Wal Mart!
ReplyDeleteI learned a great new SAT word today--sisyphean. A never ending, difficult task.
And your music is cracking me up now ;)!
Happy BATW day!!!
What a beautiful temple! I had no idea that was in Georgia!!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog!!
I'm with Patti. I had no idea that temple was in Georgia.
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful.
Where did you get that music? I've never heard that type of music with words I could understand. tee hee
Congrats on your BATW day! Thanks for the new look at Georgia!
ReplyDeleteHigh School English/Journalism teacher checking in, who LOVES SAT words, too--and these fabulous snaps! Isn't BATW wonderful? Thanks for the tour!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your BATW feature!! I hope you enjoy your day in the sun:-) Great picutres!!
ReplyDeleteZoning laws must be interesting there! Thanks for a fantastic tour stop. You are a gifted writer.
ReplyDeleteVisiting from BATW. So amazing!! Thanks for sharing something so unique about Georgia!!
ReplyDeleteHip hip hooray, it's Kat's BATW day! I had NO idea that was in Georgia! It's gorgeous! My hubby brought home all sorts of pictures of Hindu temples when he went to India. The architecture is amazing. Thanks for sharing a little random piece of Georgia with us today.
ReplyDeleteHey all! There are a number of Hindu temples in Georgia. There is another one in Riverdale - close to the Atlanta airport. And this one in Lilburn was opened (is that the right word to use??) just a year ago.
ReplyDeleteAnd the music. Guys...it's the Beatles. From Sgt. Pepper's. Remember them going to India??
Wow, my old hood had one so similar. It was amazing to watch the construction process. My kids called it the "Beauty and the Beast castle".
ReplyDeleteComing by from BATW. I never expected to see this in Georgia! Isn't it amazing the global community we have become?
ReplyDeleteThat temple is GORGEOUS. I had no idea it existed down there. Thanks for the lesson!
ReplyDeleteAnd I heart Publix so much. The one close to me is opening next month and I can hardly wait!
How cool is that?!?!?
ReplyDeleteI would have never guessed that temple was in Georgia. It's amazing! Thanks for hosting us at BATW. Enjoy your day!!
ReplyDeleteIt's like going to India (or maybe even Burma). Thanks for a glimpse of the unique architecture right in the middle of Lilburn!
ReplyDeleteThat's incredible. I wanna visit now!
ReplyDeleteMy husband is from LaGrange, Ga., so we have a fondness for Georgia. I would have never guessed those photos were from Georgia, and in fact wondered if there was some mix-up when your photos loaded. But then you surprised me by revealing our destination. Thanks for the tour!
ReplyDeleteThat's definitely not a part of Georgia that I've seen!
ReplyDeleteOh, and the bulldogs have nothing on the Sooners!
That is absolutely beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous! Thank you for sharing such gorgeous photos.
I love your take on presenting Georgia! I didn't know that the largest temple outside of India was in the south.
ReplyDeleteAnd here I thought I knew all about my beloved state. Never knew of this temple 'til now, Kat. Wow...it's almost unreal. And in Georgia? Wow...
ReplyDeleteI love my homeland.
And I loved the Bulldog shoutout, of course. Somehow I always manage to make everything about my Dawgs this time of year. Just a little bit a fan, you know.
That's great! It screams "GEORGIA" to me with the Publix looming in the distance!!
ReplyDelete: )
here from BATW. I have never seen anything like that. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletewow! who knew? that is amazing!
ReplyDeletethat would be on my list of places to visit, if i ever actually made it to Georgia...sigh, perhaps someday!
Wow! I'm only a few hours from you and didn't realize the suburbs of Atlanta had this. What a unique look at Georgia. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteOnly in America can you go to the shopping and worshipping in a brief walk.
ReplyDeleteThat temple is AMAZING. Truly gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteYou're hilarious. Love this post. GREAT job!! And the photography...all the different aspects of the temple grounds and architecture. I'm blown away.
It's only midday and look how many comments you have?! Holy mackrell.
ReplyDeleteStopping in from Louisiana via BATW. That is absolutely beautiful. TFS!!
ReplyDeleteOk, I lived in Atlanta as a kid and I don't recall ever seeing or hearing of this beautiful place. I love it and have a new place I must visit. Esp if I never actually get to the Real place itself. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt looks amazing...
ReplyDeleteI never would have guessed it was located in GA. It makess you wonder what kind of person came up with that idea.
Thanks for sharing the pictures they are beautiful! Saying Hi from Louisiana! Much Love
ReplyDeleteThat is amazing! So beautiful. I may have to visit someday.
ReplyDeleteWho would have known that Georgia held the biggest temple AWESOME PICS
ReplyDeleteThose pictures are amazing.
ReplyDeleteHope your blog trip is wonderful. I enjoyed visiting.
That was beautiful! I lived in Georgia until I was 22 years old, and I had no idea that was there! I may have to go visit the next time I go home.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!! Today, I need to go sit by that fountain and meditate, or something, to keep from losing MY MIND!
ReplyDeletewow, that is fascinating, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWow, Georgia? You learn something new every day. It is very beautiful and peaceful.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog!
Look at you all in the spotlight today! You're kinda in the spotlight every day though :) Great stuff---who would've ever known? Thanks Kat! Enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteI'm married to a GA Boy. A true GA Bulldog fan living in TX. As a former resident of Gwinett and Dekalb counties, this was definitely and educational blog for me. I didn't know that temple was there. The architecture is amazing.
ReplyDeleteI love the trip to Georgia. I love you have hindu temple right outside your door. Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Kat
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your mini tour of beautiful Georgia. That temple is amazing.
Lindsay
Wow, I had no idea! What a beautiful piece of architecture. And so amazing that you get to see it everyday. Lucky you!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing :o)
ReplyDeleteYour popularity is crazy! Love the elephant fountain. Great temple. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing post! What amazing photos! What an amazing tour! Thanks for taking us around your fair city...BATW is the best!
ReplyDeleteWow, that's very interesting. I guess I didn't get out of Marietta too much. We went to Atlanta, Dalhonega, Gay, Alpharetta, Savannah, and Augusta. That's about it.
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah, I used to hang out in Buck Head beacuse that is where Johnny Rockets was.
very cool!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures! And I learned something I didn't know! (It really isn't that hard to find something that I don't know, I guess.)
ReplyDeleteGreetings from California!
Wow! I had no idea that was outside Atlanta! Amazing!
ReplyDeleteHappy BATW day!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome temple. Not what I would have expected to see on a trip to Georgia!
So very cool!!! What a great thing to have in your very own backyard!!
ReplyDeleteWow, I've been to GA lots of times and had no idea about this. Makes me wonder if they finished the one that's supposed to be going up in our area. My favorite thing that I ever discovered in GA was the Cheesecake Factory.
ReplyDeletebeautiful pictures and thanks for the education.
ReplyDeleteWow .. who knew? It's so pretty! Thanks for sharing :o)
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and I love it! These are seriously cool pics.. thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteWhat great pictures! Enjoy your BATW day!
ReplyDeleteWow! I have lived in Alabama my whole life and never knew that was so close by. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI did not know that.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures are very beautiful!! thanks for sharing
Visiting from BATW...
ReplyDeleteI never knew that! You learn something new everyday...
The temple is very pretty, though...but very NOT what I have in mind when I think of Georgia!
WOW.... that is totally unexpected. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOkay ... now what is sweet tea? I've heard that drink mentioned a couple of times lately. Is it tea with a lot of sugar in it?
Fabulous! Just amazing. Two worlds in one town. A definate must see on my dream vacation. Thanks for the tour!
ReplyDeleteSorry I missed your day on BATW. I never knew about this temple! I'm going to Atlanta this spring and will have to swing by and check this out!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome post Kat! & that temple...WOW.. I know it must be wild having it in your suburb... but it is BEAUTIFUL
ReplyDeleteHi from Louisiana!! I am actually from Georgia, but have been in La. forever! Awesome post!! Thanks for the tour!
ReplyDeleteThat place is amazingly beautiful! Ask me some time about the what I saw when driving past it on the opening weekend. VERY interesting comment on Georgia, imho.
ReplyDeleteThe location is so weird, though. It just kind of sneaks up on you and BOOM! Fairyland. Surreal.
Wow - the temple is just gorgeous! I had no idea that there was that large of a population outside of here. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat family photo too!
Wow. That is amazing... and bizzare.
ReplyDeleteHey Kat! I didn't realize that this temple was in Lilburn! I think there is another large on in Riverdale!
ReplyDeleteI saw your comment over at Hokey...I used to live in Fayetteville. When were you there? We were there from 2000-2006 until we decided to go "peachy".
We're practically neighbors now!
LOVE YOUR MUSIC, GIRL!
I'm embarrased to say I've lived in Atlanta almost 15 years and never knew that temple was there.
ReplyDeleteWow, I never knew that was here, I mean there. There truly is more to this state than peaches and Gone With the Wind.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I don't hear Go Dawgs....I hear Go Jackets! Sting Em! Buzzzzzzzzzz! ;)
That is so gorgeous; wish I could've tagged along!
ReplyDeleteThat's okay, my Michael will love taking us on a family outing there. We've been to many Buddhist temples in various places, but never a Hindu temple.
I love the last pic!
Wow, that is awesome. I had no clue that would be in Georgia! Thanks from BATW! Cool trip!
ReplyDelete