Shiva Murugan Temple

The temple was originally built by an American-born Hindu guru, Sivaya SubramuniyaSwami, in a small wood framed house in San Francisco , California, back in 1957. It may have been the first Hindu Temple to be built in America, outside the reach of the numerous Vedanta centers that existed at the time.

It was built on the traditions of Saiva Siddhanta, and known as the Palaniswami Sivan Temple, offering Pujas to murtis of Ganesha, Muruga and Shiva. It quickly became a popular place for the ever-growing population of newly arriving Hindus, some of whom knew of Sri Lanka’s Sage, YogaSwami, who initiated the American Guru. The small temple could hardly handle the crowd of devotees, rising over the years and on traditional festival days. In 1988, the temple was relocated to a larger site in Concord, CA to better accommodate the Hindu community. Due to availability and the fact that it had already been a place of worship the location was selected.

The buildings on the site, first owned by the Lutherans and later by the Greek Orthodox, include the proper temple with a social hall in the basement, a separate building used as an office and school, and a private residence for the priests.

In 1995 SubramuniyaSwami agreed to sell the temple in Concord to the local Hindu Community because of his efforts to establish an orthodox temple on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. The Ashram of Saiva Siddhanta was established as a non-profit organisation, bought the temple in May, and changed its name to Shiva Murugan Temple.

To date the Temple Management has brought three Indian priests to supervise the daily rituals. The first few years were most generally spent in the upkeep of the buildings and a stable schedule of religious activities. By considering the expansion of Temple structure, religious and cultural facilities, the Board of Directors continues to look for ways of improving the temple facilities to the Hindu community.

Abhishekams are performed at the Temple to all gods on different days , please check their Temple Calendar for information. Devotees are welcome to sponsor Abhishekams to various gods performed by the Temple.

• Recommended donation is $51.
• Please work with their priests in bringing the things Abhishekam needs.
• If you need to perform any special Alankaram after the Abhishekam, please work with the board to see if it can be accommodated. Abhishekams are performed on various days for all gods at the Temple, please refer to their Temple Calendar for details. Devotees are welcome to sponsor Abhishekams to various gods performed by the Temple.