Shiva murugan temple, concord

Shiva Murugan Temple was established in 1957 in San Francisco, California,[1][2] by an American born Hindu monk, Sivaya Subramuniya Swami.[3] It is known as the first traditional Hindu temple established in the USA. In 1988, to better serve the Hindu community, the temple was moved to a larger site to its current location in Concord, CA. Originally the temple was called Palanisami temple. Still same idol is worshiped in Concord. Temple added Shiva, Ganesha, Durga and Navagraha deities over the time. It is one of the two temples in San Francisco bay area that is run by elected public members.

Location

Temple is situated in San Francisco Bay area Concord, California. It is connected by public transportation BART. You can walk from concord BART station to temple. Its address is 1803 2nd St Concord, CA 94519-2623

Temple is open from 10 AM- 12 Noon and evening 6 PM-9PM on weekdays and in weekends from 10AM to 9PM. Festival day time may be different.

All people are allowed inside temple, if they follow the Hindu customs like remove the shoes outside or in specified location. More understanding of Hindu temple can be found here.

Festivals

Temple's main festivals are New Year, Tamil New Year, Ganesha Chathurthi, Navarathri, Shivarahtri and Thaipusam.

Monthly SankataHara Chathurthi is celebrated on 4th day after full moon. On 8th day after full moon Bairavar Puja is celebrated. Fortnight Pradhosam is also celebrated for Shiva. These routine pujas brings many devotees from far away places. All celebrations are free to participate and no need to register or reserve.

Thaipusam Walk

During Thaipusam many people walk about 21 miles in Iron Horse Trails starting from San Ramon Central Park to Concord temple. Some people walk from Fremont and other far distances, which takes about two to three days of walk. People all around North America coming for this walk. Here is tentative walk route: Google Map

Services

According to Veda Agamas rituals were performed periodically. Temple offers free Aarathi and common Archana services several times a day and free prasadham (food) during festivals day. The following special services are also offered either at temple or at home or at special locations.

  1. Archana for each deity
  2. Abhisheka for each deity
  3. Car Pooja
  4. Ganapathi Homa
  5. Murugan Wedding (Tirukklyanam)
  6. Navagraha Homa
  7. Satyanarayana Pooja
  8. Gruhapravesha
  9. Anna Prashana
  10. Akshara Abhyasa (Start of education)
  11. Seemantham
  12. Nama Karan
  13. Sashtiabthapoorthy & Sadabhishekham
  14. Punyaha Vaachana
  15. Wedding Upanayana (Thread Ceremony)
  16. Bhoomi Puja (Ground Breaking Ceremony)
  17. Naga Dosha Parihara (Sarpa Santhi Homa)
  18. Ayush Homam
  19. Hiranya Sraardam

Renovations

To build traditional temple structure proposal is submitted to Concord city for permit. Groundbreaking is expected sometime first quarter 2016.

Priests

All three priests went through rigorous Vedic education for several years and experienced in temple services.

Chief priest Ananth Sivachariar is from Sri Karpaga Vinayakar Temple, Pillaiyarpatti. His Five generations had served Vilathikulam Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple and Arulmigu Sankaranarayanaswamy Thirukkovil Temple in Sankarankoil. The Temple was built by the eleventh century king Ukkirapandia. Sivachariar Started His Service in Sri Karpaga Vinagayar Temple at Pillaiyar Patti. Then he went All over India, and also participated in Temple Function held at Nepal, and Singapore. He started serving the Concord Shiva Murugan Temple in USA from 1998

Priest Viswanathan Gurukkal is from Erode. He first served Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Kaspa Pasur, Erode Tamil Nadu.This was also served by his family. The Family has been known as samhitha Apasthamba Poorvaaparaprayogam and Bhodhayanam. He started serving the Concord Shiva Murugan Temple in USA from 2002.

Priest Sathish Gurkkal is from Madurai. He first served Sri Sundara Vinagayar Temple and Sri Saravaswarar Temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. He has participated in many Temple Functions all over India and Malaysia. His Family has been known as Vedha Agamam. He started serving the Concord Shiva Murugan Temple in USA from 2008.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.temple.org
  2. ↑ "Hinduism in America". www.pluralism.org. Retrieved 2015-10-12.
  3. ↑ Martin, Douglas (2001-11-19). "Satguru Subramuniyaswami, Hindu Spiritual Leader, 74". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2015-10-14.
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