Hindu Temple Vandalism in Cary Spurs Police Investigation at Sri Venkateswara

In January 2026, vandals targeted the Sri Venkateswara of North Carolina, a beloved Hindu temple in Cary, damaging a sacred Dvarapalaka statue at its entrance in an early-morning incident caught on surveillance camera. Cary police identified five suspects fleeing in a small sedan and called on the community to provide information. The case underscored growing concerns about the security of South Asian religious sites in the Triangle region.

🪔 Vandals Strike Cary's Sri Venkateswara Temple in Early-Morning Attack

The ABC11 report details that the Cary Police Department launched a formal investigation after the Sri Venkateswara of North Carolina, a prominent Hindu temple in Cary, was vandalized in the early hours of Sunday, January 18, 2026. Surveillance footage captured at the scene showed at least five individuals running toward a vehicle and speeding away from the temple grounds around 3:00 a.m. Shortly after their departure, the Dvarapalaka statue positioned prominently at the temple's main entrance was discovered to have been damaged. Dvarapalaka figures are traditional guardian deities placed at the gates of Hindu temples, lending the act of vandalism particular symbolic weight for the congregation. The Cary Police Department confirmed the incident and opened a formal investigation to identify those involved and understand the circumstances behind the damage. Detectives called on members of the public with any knowledge of the incident or the individuals seen in the footage to come forward. Anyone possessing relevant information was urged to contact Cary Crimestoppers at (919) 460-4636, with assurances that callers may remain fully anonymous. The incident drew immediate attention to the vulnerability of Hindu religious spaces in the region and the importance of community vigilance. Five suspects remain unidentified as of the reporting date, and police emphasized the investigation was actively ongoing. [1]

🤝 Police Seek Community Tips as Temple Vandalism Investigation Continues

WRAL reported that law enforcement began publicly investigating the Cary temple vandalism several days after the incident occurred, calling on the broader public to assist in the case. Surveillance cameras positioned at the Sri Venkateswara of North Carolina in Cary recorded footage of five people at the site around 3 a.m. on a Sunday morning, with the group departing in a small sedan that accelerated away from the temple. Following the departure of the group, staff and devotees discovered that the Dvarapalaka statue at the front of the temple had been damaged. The Dvarapalaka, a sacred guardian figure in Hindu tradition, holds deep religious and symbolic significance for the temple's congregation and community. WRAL reported that the Cary Police Department confirmed their investigation remained active and ongoing, with detectives working to establish the identities of the individuals captured on video and to determine what motivated the act. Police encouraged anyone with relevant information to use multiple reporting channels, including the Cary Crimestoppers hotline at 919-460-4636 or the online anonymous tip platform at www.p3tips.com/1242. The case prompted wider discussion within Cary's South Asian community about the need for stronger protections at Hindu religious institutions, and the temple community expressed hope that the public would help bring those responsible to accountability. [5]

Sources: [1] ABC11 News · [5] WRAL