The temple is a culmination of years of planning by the Hindu Society of Victoria, formed in 1982. The temple site at Carrum Downs comes close to the scriptural injunctions for auspiciousness: closeness to sea and river confluences. It is situated not far from the picturesque beaches of Port Phillip Bay, and the pretty lakes around the Patterson river.

The worship is centred around Shiva and Vishnu the presiding deities of two dominant streams in the Hindu ritualistic tradition. The temple attempts to bring the two streams together and provide a synthesis.

The temple is built at a cost of 1.5 million dollars with a wide participation from the Hindu community in Victoria. The temple provided challenges in combining the construction practices in Australia with classical Hindu traditions.

There are plans to develop cultural and educational facilities and also develop some residential accommodation around the temple site. In time the Carrum Downs complex will become the focus of the entire Hindu community in Victoria.