॥ ॐ नमः शिवाय ॥Serving devotees nationwide
(240) 602-7327(510) 556-3434gurukkalkumar@gmail.com

Today's Panchāngam · San Francisco Bay Area

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Pooja at home

Book a pooja or homam at your home.

Sri Kumar Gurukkal comes to your home and performs the ceremony on an auspicious day, with clear samagri guidance for your family. Pick a common one below, or ask for another.

Request a Pooja See all poojas & ceremonies →
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Sivachariyar · San Francisco Bay Area

Sacred traditions, faithfully carried forward.

Sacred ceremonies performed with tradition & devotion.

Sri Kumar Naganathan Gurukkal

Sivachariyar · Krishna Yajurvedi

Tamil · Telugu · Hindi · English · Vedic & Āgamic Sanskrit Mantras

Sri Kumar Naganathan Gurukkal has served Hindu families in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1990, performing traditional poojas, homams, weddings and samskaras faithfully to the Vedas and Āgamas.

Explore Poojas & Ceremonies Speak with Gurukkal →
Since 1990·Sivachariyar·Krishna Yajurvedi·Vedic & Āgamic Tradition
Priest Kumar Naganathan Gurukkal, Sivachariyar
Rooted in Tradition✦ Guided by Shiva✦ Dedicated to Humanity

Guidance for every occasion

What are you celebrating?

Tell us the moment in your family’s life — we’ll guide you to the right ceremony. Not sure of the name? Simply ask the Gurukkal.

A New HomeGṛha Praveśam · Vāstu Śānti · Ganapati Homam A WeddingVivāham · Niścayatārtham · Muhūrtam A New BabySīmantam · Nāmakaraṇam · Annaprāśanam Children & EducationAyuṣ Homam · Akṣarābhyāsam · Upanayanam Blessings & PoojasSatyanārāyaṇa · Lakṣmī · Navagraha Milestones & LongevityṢaṣṭyabdapūrti · śatābhiṣekam · Gṛha Śānti

Not sure which ceremony you need?

About the Gurukkal

A life devoted to Vedic and Āgamic priestly service.

Over three decades of faithful service across India, Singapore, and the United States.

SivachariyarKrishna YajurvediServing Since 1990Kumbhabhishekam Acharya

Sri Kumar Naganathan Gurukkal is a Tamil Sivachariyar and Krishna Yajurvedi who has performed worship and conducted sacred ceremonies for devotees across three continents. He was trained at the Sri Karpaga Vinayaka Vedāgama Vidhyalayam in Pillayarpatti, Tamil Nadu, in the disciplines of Sivāgama Rathnam, Vishesha Yogyatha, Veda Pandit, and Agora Sivam.

Scriptural Mastery

  • Ganapathi Upanishad
  • Sri Rudram & Chamakam
  • Purusha Suktham
  • Pancha Sukthigal
  • Skanda & Siva Puranas
  • Devi Mahathmyam
  • The Sahasranamas
  • The Ashtothrams

A Lifetime of Service

His priestly journey began at the Sri Bala Murugan Temple in Edaikattur, then continued at the Sri Dharma Muneeswaran Temple in Singapore. Since 2004 he has held senior priestly roles at the Sri Murugan Temple of North America in Lanham, Maryland, and the Hindu Temple of Greater Tulsa, and has led Kumbhābhiṣekams at many temples — including the renowned Iraivan Temple in Hawaii.

Languages & Service Area

He officiates in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and English, with sacred mantras performed in Sanskrit according to Vedic and Āgamic tradition. Families from Kannada, Malayalam and other regional traditions are warmly welcome — please speak with Gurukkal about your family’s customs. He serves devotees across the San Francisco Bay Area — Dublin, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Livermore, Fremont, Milpitas, San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale and surrounding communities.

Priest Kumar Naganathan Gurukkal

Guru & Paramparā

A living lineage of Sivachariyars.

Sri Kumar Gurukkal with his guru Sri Pichai Sivachariyar
With his guruSri Pichai Sivachariyar
Sri Kumar Gurukkal in devotion to Lord Shiva’s family
Sri Kumar Naganathan GurukkalIn devotion to Lord Śiva’s family

Sri Kumar Gurukkal belongs to the Ādi Śaiva Paramparā, the ancient priestly lineage descending from the Nāyanmār saint Sundaramoorthy Swāmigal. His family recalls at least seven generations of Sivachariyars who served at the Sri Maragathavalli Chandrasekara Swami Temple in Sethur — one of the 108 temples of the Sivagangai Samasthānam, about 56 miles from Madurai. Sri Kumar Gurukkal was trained in the priestly tradition carried forward by Dr. K. Pichai Sivachariyar of Pillaiyarpatti, whose work in Vedic and Āgamic priestly education has received international recognition.

He undertook specialized study of the Agora Bhadathi section of the Karana and Kāmika Āgamas (Yajur Veda) under his spiritual guru, Sri Pichai Sivachariyar, at the Sri Karpaga Vinayaka Vedāgama Vidhyālaya in Pillayarpatti, Tamil Nadu.

Inspired by Saint Sundarar's vision of carrying the fragrance of the Śaiva tradition across the world, this calling has taken him from temples in India to Singapore, and across the United States — a devotion he continues today in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Under the guidance of his guru
Sri Pichai Sivachariyar

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Poojas & Sacred Ceremonies

Every sacred rite, performed with care.

Explore traditional poojas, homams and samskaras, with guidance on their significance and how your family can prepare.

Descriptions reflect the traditional purpose of each rite. Practices vary by sampradāya and family custom — Gurukkal will guide what is right for your family. Our standards →

Don't see the ceremony you need? Sri Kumar Gurukkal performs the full range of Hindu rites — please ask.

Hindu Wedding details · Wedding Muhurtham guide

Where Ceremonies Can Be Performed

Wherever you are.

At Your Home

The Gurukkal travels to your home to perform the ceremony with your family.

At a Temple or Venue

Where permitted, ceremonies and archanas can be arranged at appropriate temples and venues, in coordination with the venue and your family.

Remote Participation

For families joining from afar, the Gurukkal shares the ceremony live over Zoom or WhatsApp, with sankalpam in your name — please ask which parts are suitable for your tradition.

Samagri checklist provided for every ceremony Languages: Tamil · Telugu · Hindi · English · Vedic & Āgamic Sanskrit Mantras Muhurtham guidance included

Preparing for Your Pooja

From preparation to prayer.

1

Request

Call, email, or send the form with your ceremony, date, and location.

2

Confirm

The Gurukkal confirms details and sets an auspicious muhurtham.

3

Prepare

You receive a clear samagri (materials) checklist so everything is ready.

4

Ceremony

The rite is performed with care and precision, faithful to the Vedas, Āgamas and your family tradition.

Guidance for Your Family

Explained as it unfoldsEach ritual’s meaning is shared in your language, so your family and guests can follow and take part — not simply watch.
True to your family traditionEach ceremony respects your family’s sampradāya, regional customs and preferred language — Tamil, Telugu, Hindi or English — with Sanskrit mantras performed according to tradition. Families from other regional traditions are warmly welcome.
One priest, a personal relationshipYou communicate directly with the priest who will guide your family, from preparation through the ceremony. Decades of practice stand behind every rite.
Prepared and attentiveYou receive clear preparation guidance in advance, and the appropriate muhūrtam is confirmed according to your ceremony, family tradition and relevant birth details.

Words from Devotees

A few words from families we have served.

Hindu Wedding · Bay Area
★★★★★

“Priest Kumar Gurukkal officiated our daughter’s wedding with remarkable expertise in Vedic traditions and such sincerity. Thanks to his guidance, it was a truly memorable experience.”

— Jai Ganesh
Seemantham (Baby Ceremony) · Bay Area
★★★★★

“Priest Kumar Gurukkal made our baby shower a spiritually enriching event. His warmth, compassion, and meticulous attention to detail added a special touch to the occasion.”

— Prasath
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Preliminary Panchāngam Guidance

See the day’s sacred and inauspicious windows.

See the day's sacred and inauspicious windows for the Bay Area, then let the Gurukkal confirm the exact muhurtham for your ceremony.

Bay Area · Pleasanton, CA (Pacific Time)
Enter a date and your details to see the day's muhurtham windows.

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions.

Which areas does Sri Kumar Gurukkal serve?+
He serves the San Francisco Bay Area, including Dublin, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Livermore, Fremont, Milpitas, San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale and surrounding cities. Ceremonies can be held at your home, at a temple, or online.
What languages are ceremonies performed in?+
Ceremonies are performed in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and English, with Sanskrit mantras.
What ceremonies does he perform?+
Weddings (Vivaham), Griha Pravesham, Namakaranam, Seemantham and Upanayanam; homams such as Ganapathi, Navagraha, Rudra, Mrityunjaya and Chandi; Satyanarayana Pooja, Vastu Shanti; milestone birthdays like Shashtiabdapoorthi and Sathabhishekam; and horoscope and muhurtham guidance.
How do I book a priest?+
Call or WhatsApp (240) 602-7327 or (510) 556-3434, email gurukkalkumar@gmail.com, or use the booking form on this site with your ceremony, date and location.
Can the priest help choose an auspicious date (muhurtham)?+
Yes. This site has a Bay Area muhurtham finder for preliminary timing, and Gurukkal will confirm the exact muhurtham for your ceremony.
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Request & Connect

How may Gurukkal help your family?

Call, message on WhatsApp, or check his availability and schedule a time online.

Call(240) 602-7327 · (510) 556-3434 Emailgurukkalkumar@gmail.com Ask About AvailabilityAsk the Gurukkal for a convenient time
Personal confirmation by the Gurukkal

Every ceremony is confirmed personally. Share your ceremony, preferred date and city in the request form above — or reach the Gurukkal directly — and he will confirm availability, advise the right ceremony, and set the exact muhūrtam for your family.

Request a Pooja

Request a Ceremony

Request the Gurukkal.

Share a few details and Sri Kumar Gurukkal will respond to confirm your ceremony.

Sri Kumar Naganathan Gurukkal

Sivachariyar · Vedic & Āgamic Priest

Phone(240) 602-7327 · (510) 556-3434
WhatsApp(240) 602-7327 · (510) 556-3434
Emailgurukkalkumar@gmail.com
Service AreaSan Francisco Bay Area · Dublin · Pleasanton · San Ramon · Livermore · Fremont · San Jose · Santa Clara · Sunnyvale
LanguagesTamil · Telugu · Hindi · English · Vedic & Āgamic Sanskrit Mantras

Ceremony Request

This opens a pre-filled email to the Gurukkal.

Or call or WhatsApp (240) 602-7327 or (510) 556-3434 directly.

SaivaPriest Assistant
General guidance about poojas & ceremonies
General guidance from SaivaPriest.com. Please confirm family-specific ritual details and the muhūrtam directly with Gurukkal.
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