North Carolina’s mountains hold many secrets from the past and the present. And one of them is a 434-acre Vedic Vastu community found high on a mountaintop near Clyde, North Carolina, a mere 37 miles northwest of Asheville. It’s no wonder, really, that few people have heard of Mount Soma or its mysterious temple. Afterall, it was only founded ten years ago.

But for many it is a mysterious and wonderful place to discover.
Google/manish das
Based on the ancient texts of Hindu, the Vedic community is home to a little-known temple that anyone can visit.
Sri Somesvara Temple is of true Vedic construction, meaning it blends architecture with nature using ancient principals.
Google/Srikantha Kalaghatta
The structure is made out of hand-carved Indian granite — 46 tons of hand-carved granite. That's dedication! But the temple isn't the only thing to see and admire in Mount Soma.
Three parks are filled with notable sights, starting with the Nandi Park, which sits on a hill opposing the Temple.
Google/Shruty Reddy

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The bull featured in the park actually looks out over the gap between the two mountains, as if gazing at that temple. The white bull is considered the gatekeeper who clears the way for the Shiva. The bull here represents single-minded devotion as well as strength and protection.
TripAdvisor/Jaya J
Moving on to Hanuman Park, visitors will find a 14-foot, nine-inch stature of Sri Hanuman carved out of solid black granite.
Google/Bhargav Patel
Located only a short walk from the temple, Sri Hanuman doles out health, power, and blessings to all who visit.
The third park, Ganga Park, showcases a waterfall along a picturesque creek.
Google/Matthew Carter
Just under its ribbons of water flowing over the falls are two Shivas that were installed by the community. The falls is said to be, among other things, especially purifying and are the epitome of all sacred waters.

Visitors don’t necessarily need to practice Hinduism to enjoy a relaxing visit to explore the many wonderful features of this Vedic community in the mountains. Stop by the Visitor Center to learn more and if you’d like to extend your visit to more than a day, consider checking out the lodging options offered by the community and the Sri Somesvara Temple. Learn more about the temple and community with a visit to the official website, here. Check out the daily visitation hours at this link.

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Sri Somesvara Temple, 95 Mount Soma Blvd, Clyde, NC 28721, USA