Trust

Editorial & Ritual Standards

Last reviewed: 12 August 2026

SaivaPriest.com exists to help Hindu families prepare for life’s sacred moments with clarity and confidence. These standards describe how the site is written, reviewed and maintained. They are a public commitment — you are welcome to hold us to them.

Reviewed by Gurukkal

The ceremony descriptions and guidance on this site reflect the training and practice of Sri Kumar Naganathan Gurukkal, a Tamil Sivachariyar and Krishna Yajurvedi serving Hindu families since 1990. Substantive ritual content is reviewed by him. Where a page has been reviewed, we aim to note when.

Respect for regional variation

Hindu tradition is not monolithic. Procedures, sequence, and even the timing of an observance can differ by sampradāya, region, family custom and the guidance of one’s own Guru or priest. This site reflects Sri Kumar Gurukkal’s tradition and should not be read as the single correct way. Where practices commonly differ, we try to say so, and Gurukkal will always shape a ceremony to your family’s custom.

Honest language

We state only what is accurate. Sri Kumar Gurukkal conducts ceremonies and speaks with families primarily in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and English, with sacred mantras performed in Sanskrit. We do not claim fluency in languages he does not speak. Families following Kannada, Malayalam and other regional traditions are warmly welcome to contact Gurukkal to discuss their customs.

Traditional purpose, not guaranteed outcomes

A pooja is an act of prayer and devotion, not a transaction with a guaranteed result. Our descriptions state the traditional purpose of a rite — what families pray for — rather than promising outcomes.

• Instead of “this pooja removes all obstacles,” we write “traditionally performed to seek Lord Ganapati’s blessings for an auspicious beginning.”
• Instead of “eliminates planetary problems,” we write “traditionally performed to pray for balance and relief during a challenging period.”
• We never promise wealth, cures, marriage, or the removal of specific difficulties.

Panchāngam methodology

The daily Panchāngam and Muhūrta guidance on this site are computed automatically for the San Francisco Bay Area. They are offered in the spirit of a traditional almanac — no vague predictions, no sensational astrology, no advertising, no tracking.

• Basis: Drik (observation-based) Panchāngam, Lahiri (Chitrapakṣa) ayanāṃśa, with sunrise/sunset computed astronomically.
• Location & time: calculated for Bay Area coordinates in the America/Los_Angeles timezone, with daylight saving handled automatically. Timings display in the visitor’s own device time.
• Variation: festival dates and observances can legitimately differ by location, sampradāya and the timing of the relevant tithi.
• Not a personal ruling: automated output is preliminary guidance, not a muhūrtam personally selected by Gurukkal. For a wedding, gṛiha praveśam or any important ceremony, the exact muhūrtam must be confirmed with Gurukkal, who considers the family’s birth details and tradition.

The full calculation method is described on our Panchāngam methodology page, and we welcome review by qualified Panchāngam scholars (see Corrections, below).

The website assistant

The “Ask about a pooja” assistant offers general guidance only. It is an assistant for the website — it is not Sri Kumar Gurukkal and does not speak for him. It will not select an exact muhūrtam, give personal horoscope or dosha rulings, guarantee spiritual outcomes, quote fees, or resolve doctrinal disputes. For anything specific to your family, it will ask you to speak with Gurukkal directly.

Photography & privacy

Ceremony photographs are published only with the family’s permission. We do not stage false rituals, and we do not use AI-generated “sacred” imagery in place of real ceremonies. Personal details shared through the request form are used only to respond to and prepare for your ceremony; they are never sold. See our Privacy Policy for details.

Corrections & scholarly contributions

We would rather be corrected than be wrong. Qualified priests and scholars are warmly invited to submit terminology corrections, regional variations, pronunciation notes, source references, or Panchāngam observations. Accepted contributors are acknowledged by name, with permission. Please write to gurukkalkumar@gmail.com with “Correction” in the subject.

For priests & temples

This site is meant to serve the wider community, not compete with it. Fellow priests and temples are welcome to request shareable resources — family intake templates, samagri checklists, and guest ceremony-guide templates — and to discuss collaboration. Please reach out at gurukkalkumar@gmail.com.

A note of humility

This guide reflects Sri Kumar Gurukkal’s training and practice. Procedures may differ according to sampradāya, region, family custom and the guidance of one’s own Guru or priest. If something here differs from your tradition, your tradition is not wrong — and we would be glad to learn from you.