The first Hindu temple in the Western World was dedicated at San Francisco on 7 January 1906.
Swami Trigunatitananda planned the temple himself, combining ideas from a Hindu Temple, a Christian church, a Moslem mosque, and an American residence. Regarding the future of the temple, Trigunatita said, “I shall not live to enjoy; others will come later who will enjoy”; and, referring to his own participation, he boldly proclaimed: “Believe me, if there is the least tinge of selfishness in building this temple, it will fall; but if it is the Master’s work, it will stand.” It is amazing that the terrible earthquake and fire of 1906, which destroyed much of San Francisco, did no damage to the temple.
(p.504, God Lived with Them)
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