Pandit Rishikesh Bhattar (Founder Member )
0414 997 899 | srisanathanadharma@hotmail.com
Registered Marriage Celebrant(Religious) Born in Hyderabad Andhra Pradesh India. Began his studies in Sanskrit at the Ramanuja Sanskrit Pathashala until the age of 12 and then joined the Sri Venkataswara Veda and Agama Pathashala at Tirupati. He graduated in 1985 and migrated to Australia in 1986 to serve as the head priest of the Venkateshwara temple at Helensburgh. He served in that capacity until 1996 when he left the temple employment and began serving the community as a purohit. He has been involved in many temple consecrations in Australia, India and Srilanka and is still a visiting archaka at the Venkateshwara temple. Born in Hyderabad Andhra Pradesh India. Began his studies in Sanskrit at the Ramanuja Sanskrit Pathashala until the age of 12 and then joined the Sri Venkataswara Veda and Agama Pathashala at Tirupati. He graduated in 1985 and migrated to Australia in 1986 to serve as the head priest of the Venkateshwara temple at Helensburgh. He served in that capacity until 1996 when he left the temple employment and began serving the community as a purohit. He has been involved in many temple consecrations in Australia, India and Srilanka and is still a visiting archaka at the Venkateshwara temple. Pandit Ramachandra Athreiya (Founder Member)
0418 427 372 | vedasabha@gmail.com
Registered Marriage Celebrant (Religious) Religious Consultant Shri Shiva Mandir (Minto NSW), Broome Street (Ganesha) Temple New York USA Born in Madras India. Began his initial studies of Veda and Karma-khanda under his great-grandfather venerable Venkaṭarama Gaṇapāṭhi of Thillaiyadi. He later joined the Kanchi Shankara Matha and furthered his studies under the Matha Parikshadhikari and served as an apprentice purohit under his grandfather the venerable Sriman Nāgarāja Shastri Ji. He also studied yajna under the illustrious scholar Lakshmi-narayana Dikshitar of Madras and Nellure Viśvanatha Srauti. He has traveled extensively throughout India and has served as a priest (adhyāyana bhaṭṭa) at the famous Pashupati Nath temple in Kathmandu Nepal. He served as a temple priest of the Vara-siddhi Vinayagar temple of Besant Nagar for many years and then came to Australia to serve as a priest of Sri Venkateshwara temple Helensburgh NSW, from 1987 until 1992 then he began serving the community as a purohit. He has participated in a number of temple consecrations both in Australia, India, Srilanka and USA. Pandit Narayan Bhatt (Shastri)
Registered Marriage Celebrant, (Civil & Religious) Purohit, Kirtan & Kathakar, Phone: +61 (0)2 9600 7815 Mobile: + 61 (0) 430 338 770 e-mail : punditji108@gmail.com www.hinduheritage.org.au ------------------------------------------------------ Shri Pdt. Narayan Bhatt obtained his Shastri degree from the Sampurnanand University of Varanashi in 1986. He has also obtained a masters degree (MA) in Sanskrit from the Gurukul University of Haridwar Uttaranchal. He has studied Vedas, Upanishadas, Ramayan, Gita, Chanda Shasras, Kavya Shasrtas and other related Sanskrit literature. He narrates beautiful katha of Ramayan, Bhagwatam and Devi Bhagwatam. Shri Bhatt ji has also completed practical Training of Karmakanda of various sanskars and Anusthans conducted by the ministry of Human Resources in India. He has been living a priestly life since his teenage days. Pdt Narayan Bhatt has served the Hindu community of Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra since his arrival in Australia. He speaks fluent Hindi, English, Nepali, Gujarati and Sanskrit languages. He has helped and guided numerous organisations to achieve their aims and objectives from time to time and founded 'Hindu Heritage Society Inc', a charitable organisation dedicated to promote Education, Arts and Hindu Religious Heritage. The organisation is working towards promoting the values of Hinduism in Australia and has a strong and dedicated team of people. Hindu Heritage Society Inc is growing and has been well received by the community under his guidance and the guidance of the Almighty God. Pandit Venkatraman Shastri
0434 523 968 | kv66237@gmail.com
Registered Marriage Celebrant(Religious) Born in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India he studied under his father, Shri G. Krishnamurthy Ghanapathigal, (alias Sri G. Babu Sastrigal) and Shri Neelakanth Vaishampayan, Baroda. He completed Krishna Yajur Veda, up to Padam level. Also studied Sanskrit from Shri Venkatachala Shastri (professor-Madras Sanskrit College). Pandit-ji also had the opportunity of studying directly from His Holiness Shri Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal of Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt, Kanchipuram, India. Besides this, he has studied B.Com, IRPM, and Post Graduate Diploma in Counseling in Australia. And prior to taking up paurohitya full-time he worked as an Executive Pers. &HR with Larsen & Toubro Limited, Jamshedpur and Baroda, India for 22 years. Venkatraman-ji worked with Ekkavan Shakti Peeta, Shri Kamakshi Temple, Ambaji, Gujarat, India for 4 years before coming to Australia in November 2007, he served as a Priest with Shri Shiva Mandir Ltd. Minto until 2013. Currently he serves the community as a purohit in Sydney and other parts of Australia. Pandit Siva Srinivasan
0434 015 564 sivakumarsrini@gmail.com
Born in a traditional brahmin family from Ambasamudram,Tirunelveli, India and started priestly training underlies father’s guidance at the Kashyapanathar temple, Ambasamudram at which they are the Parampara Archakas (hereditary priests).He studied and gained the knowledge to conduct Hindu karma-khanda in sanskrit and also learned to perform various pujas, rituals according to various hindu traditions. Beside this he has also completed Diploma in Engineering and migrated to Australia 2007. Currently serving as Temple Priest at Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, Regents park and Strathfield south. Apart from regular temple routines he has been conducting vedic Samskaaras in Sydney such as Grihapravesham, Griha shanthi, Navgraha shanthi, Satyanarayan puja, Naamakaranam, Punyavachanam, Rudraabhisekhams and many more. Pandit Davendra Sharma
89 Brisbane St., Oxley Park NSW. Australia
P: +61 414560424 E: pdt108@yahoo.com.au W: www.Hindu-Cosmos.com Pandit-ji is available for all Hindu rituals and samskaras from birth to death and beyond.
Pandit Sri Rama Ramanujacari (Founder Member)
0419 654 987 | kulaguru@bigpond.com | www.srimatham.com/
Registered Marriage Celebrant Born in Durban South Africa. Pandit Rami Studied Vedanta philosophy at Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh for 1 year at the age of 18. He then went to Benaras and studied Sanskrit and Veda at Swami Sanjayananda's gurukul for 2 years. He also studied Karma-kanda, Yajna and Puja vidhi under Satyanarayana Shastri of Tirupati. His theoretical Agama training was done in Madras under Srimati Sita Padmanabhan. In 1983 he took pancha-samskara initiation from His Holiness Sri Sri Varada Yatiraja Jiyar swami the (late) pontiff of Adi Kesava Perumal temple in Sriperumbudur, Tamilnadu and in 1993 he was granted the Acharya degree by His Holiness and given full authority to teach, initiate, administer the sacraments and to conduct temple installations and consecrations. He studied Vedic astrology under the renowned Hart deFouw and has been serving the Hindu community in Australia as a purohit, counselor and Dharma-teacher since 1980. He is much valued for his extensive explanations of the rituals being performed and for his inclusion of English in marriage vows etc. Rami-ji is also a registered nurse. He travels extensively and teaches Hindu Philosophy, Sanskrit and ritual and regularly participates in Yoga workshops in Australia, Bali and in the USA. He has participated in a number of temple consecrations in Australia and in the USA. He performs all samskāras from birth to death, all Vaidik, Pauranika and Pancharātra rituals and since 9th January is performing marriage ceremonies for Same-Sex couples. Pandit Narendra Dave
|0403 226 364| npanditji@gmail.com
Registered Marriage Celebrant (Religious) Pandit Narendra was born in a traditional Brahmin family in the state of Gujarat, India. Since his childhood and while living in India, he studied yajña, Karma-khanda, Vedas & other scriptures under a variety of renowned Gurus. He received his Masters Degree in Engineering Geology and worked for the Government of Gujarat prior to coming to Australia in 1997. In Australia he has been practicing as a Hindu Priest. His personal goal is to pass on the invaluable knowledge of the Hindu religion to the society at large. Pandit Jatinkumar Bhatt
0423 341 604 | jrbhatt@hotmail.com
Registered Marriage Celebrant (Religious) Pdt. Jatinkumar Bhatt has been full time priest of Sri Mandir since 2004 and has been one of the most respectable and recognised priest in the community since then. He has held an excellent reputation in the community with his extensive knowledge, patience, & his performance of rituals and prayers. He has performed over 250 marriages according to Vedic tradition. Pdt. Jatinkumar Bhatt is a highly qualified priest with the degree of “Jyotish Alankar” and serves the community with free astrological consultations and counseling. Panditji performs all kinds of poojas & hawan including Satya Narayan Katha, Grih Pravesh, Rudra Abhishek, all shanti pujas (e.g. Grah Shanti, Vastu, etc…), all sanskar pujas (excluding antyesti), Marriages, and new vehicle puja. Pandit-ji is also very active in the community teaching Hindu philosophy and devotion/duties of a an individual towards God and humanity in community. Panditji has been regularly sharing his knowledge and talking about our festivals, rituals, significance of a particular ritual/day/festival and various factors related to Hinduism and humanity on radio programs – Indian Link and SBS. He has attended various interviews on radio community programs and helped sharing his religious & spiritual knowledge to people seeking information. It has been a huge contribution to the community in bringing awareness on why and how the rituals are performed and what really religion means. In addition, Pdt. Jatinkumar Bhatt hold degree of Masters in Chemistry as his academic background. Saiva Pulavar Sivasri Bala Indra Kurukkal
0430628061 | indran_388@yahoo.com
Registered Marriage Celebrant (Religious) Born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, Studied Veda and Saivagama from Dharmasastha Gurukulam in Sri Lanka under Sri T Mahadevaguru. Came to Sydney in 2009 and since then Indran Kurukkal has been serving as a priest at the Sydney Murugan Temple. He got his Bachelor Degree in Sanskrit from the famous Madras University and Masters in TAMIL. He is a religious marriage celebrant and knows Tamil, Sanskrit, and English. widely traveled within Australia and many overseas countries (South Africa, UK, Switzerland, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia and India). In the past he has been invited as a keynote speaker at Saivaagama and Saiva Siddhanta Conferences. Available for all samskāras and home ceremonies. Sivashri Chandrasegara Sivachariar (Nathan Gurukkal) - 0403 112 724 Email. myhomepriest@gmail.com
Shiva Shri Chandrasegara Sivachariar Popularly known as Nathan Gurukkal from Sri Lanka, Poorvigam Thirupugaloor Kumbhakonam Tamil Nadu. Studied Saivagamam From father then in Dharma Sastha Gurukulam Inuvil Sri Lanka. Came to Australia in 2002. To work in Sydney Murugan Temple. Worked 2002 to 2009 in Murugan temple
Then went to Melbourne to work in shivavishnu temple ( 2010 to 2014 January) Again in Murugan temple from 2014 May Participated in kumbhabishegam mahotsavam special poojas in temples in Australia, London, Switzerland , Malaysiya , Srilanka Languages Known- Tamil English,Sinhala Sanskrit, Currently studying Hindi Doing Poojas for Sri Lankan and Indian community .Girahapravsam Ghanapathy Homam Wedding, Also Vedic kriyas like seemantham Jadhahakarma, Srardham Sivāgama Ratna Ranjith Gurukkal
0411821224| ranjith1801@gmail.com
Born in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu India in a Sivacharya family. Started his priest training under his father at the Vellalore Theneeswarar Temple in Coimbatore Dist. at which they are Parampara Archakas (hereditary Priests ). Later he joined Sivaneri Kazhagam (This organization’s focus is on teaching Saiva philosophy) Pillayarpatti Sivaganga Dist. Tamil Nadu under the tutelage of Poojyasri Vikasratna Dr. Pitchai Shivacharyar. He graduated in Veda and Saivagama. He also obtained a Degree in Astrology/Prasnam and Vastu shastram from Kasyap Vedic Studies Coimbatore. Ranjit Gurukkal served as a priest at Ayyapan Temple Raf Camp Coimbatore, Uttara Swamimalai Mandir New Delhi, Siddhi-vinayak Temple Bhandup Mumbai, and many other temples all over India for over 16 years. During this time he has taken part/assisted in Temple consecrations at Kasi Visalakshi temple, Sri Ramanatha Swamy temple at Rameshwaram, Sri Dandayodapani Temple Palani, Sri Ananamalaiyar Temple Tiruvannamalai, Tiruchendur Murugan Temple just a few to mention. He has traveled widely through out India and is fluent in Tamil, Sanskrit, Malayalam, Hindi and English. Ranjit Gurukkal came to Australia in August 2010 served as a Head Priest at the Perth Hindu Temple. In 2012 he moved to Sydney since then has been serving as a priest at Sydney Murugan Temple. He is well experienced in conducting and or assisting Dwajarohanam, Mahotsavam in various temples in Australia. He is available for conducting all samskaras and domestic ceremonies and puja. Sivashri Arumugam Iyer - 0419 486 713
Saivagamaratna Sivasri K. Vekavaneswara ( Lavan) Kurukkal
0478 540 077 | lavan2320@yahoo.com
Born in Jaffna Sri Lanka, hails from Tamil family Son of Sivasri Alavi Kugasamy Kurukkal, He initially started vedāgama studies under his father then continued his studies at Dharmasastha Gurukulam Jaffna Sri Lanka under Sri T Mahadevan Kurukkal. Later he travelled to India and completed his formal Saivāgama studies at Sri Karpaga Vinayakar Vedāgama Vidyalaya Pillayarpatti Tamil Nadu India under Sivasri Pitchai Gurukal. Lavan Kurukkal came to Sydney in 2011, since then he ihas been serving as a priest in Sydney Murugan Temple Mays Hill NSW. Lavan Kurukkal has participated in several temple consecrations and Annual Festivals (Brahmotsavams) at various famous temples in Sri Lanka, India as well as Singapore, Malaysia, UK and Germany. He speaks fluent Tamil and English and is also familiar with various other Indian Languages. Apart from conducting daily temple duties, he has also been serving the Australian Hindu community, conducting all the sacraments (Weddings, Grihapravesam etc.) for people from Tamil, Telugu and Hindi speaking communities within Australia. Pandit Prakash Dhodari
0411838449 | panditdhodari@gmail.com
Nepalese Hindu Society of Australia Website: www.nepalesehindusociety.org.au Pandit Prakash Dhodari is well known priest from Nepal in Nepalese Community Australia. He finished his basic study from Ram Mandir, Pashupati. He finished his Shastri degree from Mahendra Sanskrit Bishwobidalaya Nepal. He came to Australia in 2009. And started working in Nepalese Community. He is the founder of Nepalese Hindu Society of Australia(NHSA). He has been conducting all the Hindu rituals like Wedding, house warming, birthday puja, satyanarayan puja, naming ceremony, funeral etc for the Nepalese community in Australia from 2009 He is the head priest of NHSA. Dr. Meena Srinivasan, Sanskrit
Sanskrit Teacher and Pracharaka
Women's Affairs drmeenak@yahoo.com.au The myth that Sanskrit is difficult, incomprehensible, boring and dull was shattered by Dr Meena Srinivasan, a PhD in Sanskrit with over twenty years of teaching Sanskrit. Having worked with Samaskritha Bharati, an institution that saw the revival of Sanskrit across the length and breadth of India, Meena has conducted over 2000 camps in her association with the organisation. The unparalleled experience, coupled with her academic qualification, employment in academic institutions in Bangalore teaching Sanskrit at the graduate and post graduate levels a boon to those who were eager yet unable to learn the language professionally. Dr Meenakshi also
Pandit Rajnikant S. Shukla
02-86777033 | 0401877783 | mrajshukla@yahoo.com
I am originally from Mumbai practicing Karmakand and Jyotish Shastra {Astrology} from last 45 yrs, in Mumbai. I am Auditchya Shastra Brahmin born in Uttar Gujarat Village-UNAVA. I migrated to Sydney in 2005. I perform all ceremonies with Vedic mantras and proceedings. I also perform all normal and special rites and rituals for the Hindu Vidhi’s that may be required for any occasion. I have taken further professional training from Bhartiya Vidhya Bhavan-Mumbai-to enhance my knowledge and share best practices while in this profession. I also have been trained under various Gurus from Gujarat and other states. My father and above seven ancestors are from the same profession and I have continued with the same, adding immense substance and sharing knowledge to all involved. I have taken specialisation in many Shastra and I perform Vidhi’s Such as: Satyanarayan Katha, Vaastu Puja, Laghu rudra Puja, Baby Shower Puja, Gruha Shanti, Navchandi Havan, Ghar Pravesh Puja, Small Havan and Shanti Puja, Mantra Jaaps, And Many More. I live with my Son who is an Advertising Specialist and have 3 daughters who are all settled in Sydney. Pandit Sukhendra Shandil
Pandit/Archaka Sudarshan Thakar
0469347257 | rushithakar9@gmail.com
Pandit Sudarshan Thakar born in Gujarat, India, belongs to an Aaudichya Shastra Brahmin family. Pandit Sudarshan had began his study of Veda, yajna and puja vidhi soon after Upanayana Sanskara in traditional Guru Parampara under his holiness Sri Tejas Vyas. Sudarshanji was also blessed to enhance his Scriptural knowledge under the direct tutelage of his holiness Swami Asanganand Saraswatiji. Apart from his scripture knowledge, he has studied M.Sc. in Environment Science in Sydney. Sudarshanji served at one of the Bhavani temples in his hometown Anand as volunteer priest before coming to Australia. He has currently been serving as the temple Priest (ARCHAKA) in Shree Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan, Sydney since 2012. Having served the community back in India as a purohit, Sudarshanji looks forward to developing a career serving the Hindu community presently in Australia and New Zealand. Pandit Ajay Adhyaru
0430115484 | pandit.4you@yahoo.com.au
Born in Vadodara Gujarat India. Pandit Ajay began his studies in Sanskrit with specialization in Shukla Yajur Veda at Faculty of Sanskrit Maha Vidyalaya of The Maharaja Sayaji Rao University of Baroda, he studied for 5 years completing visharad qualification and 1st and 2nd year of the Shastri Degree. In 2008, upon completion of his studies he came to Australia and served at Shree Shiva Temple at Minto as an assistant priest for a few months and began serving the community as a purohit. Pandit Ajay has been serving as a purohit since 1999 and has been involved in many temple consecrations in India. Acharya Anil Gyawali
04021046561 | panditanilg4u@gmail.com
Born in a traditional Brahmin family in the Nepal. He stared his study of Veda ( yajan and Karmakand ) at the age of 10 by living in Unnayan Sansthan Veda Pathashala, Varanasi, India. He also got chance to enhance his knowledge of Veda and other Hindu scriptures under direct guidance of various Gurus’. He completed Master Degree (Vedaacharya) in Yajurveda From Sampoornanad Sanskrit University-Varanasi India, in 2010. Anil has served him self as Veda Teacher for more than 6 years in Baba Neev-karori Veda Sansthan, Lucknow, India. Acharya Anil is a highly qualified ( Temple and Community) priest with the degree of “Ved Bibhushan” from Maharshi Sandipani Ved Vidya Pratishthanam-UJJAIN and Uttar Pradesh Sanskrit Sansthan LUCKNOW. He has attended various Vaidik Seminar across the India. He has vast knowledge of Vaidik tradition, Hindu rituals and rites to perform all kind of pooja and homa including Satya Narayan Katha, Griha Pravesh, Rudra Abhishek, Graha Shanti, Vastu Shanti, all Sanskar pujas (Namakaran, Anna Prashan, Yagyopavit and Marriages). He came to the Australia as a Temple Priest at Mukti-Gupteshwar Mandir-Minto and served there from 2012 to 2016. Currently he is serving himself as Temple Priest at Shirdi Sai Baba Temple- Regents park and Strathfield south. Pandit Samir Vyas
0425 355 657 | pandit4you@gmail.com
Born in Gujarat, Samir began the study of the Veda in a traditional guru parampara under His Holiness Sri Dinanath Bhatt soon after upanayana. He also studied Yajña and puja vidhi from his father Sri K.P. Vyas according to vamsha parampara. In 2000 he began his Shukla Yajur-vediya yajña and recital training under Sri Rampal Shukla. In 2005 he joined the Sanskrit pathshala M.S. University, Gujarat, India where he studied Jyotisha vidya, Vastu Vidya and Philosophy of Karmakand. He continued his studies in Hindu Law by taking a Bachelor in Law from S.P. University, India. Since 2010 he is working as Head Priest at Sri Saibaba Temple, Strathfield South. Pandit Kandhadai Abhishek
0439 957 276 | sydneyvaidikam@gmail.com
Born in Chennai, India and initiated to Yatirāja Jeeyar Mutt, Sri Perumbudur. Began his studies in Veda primarily under the guidance of Sri U.Ve. Kuruchi Kidambi Lakshmi Narasimhan swamy. Introduced to purva prayogam by Sri Manapakkam Narayanan swamy and furthered vaidika studies under Sri Rama Ramanuja ācharyan. He also learnt Pāncarātra purva prayoga rituals under Sri Rama Ramanuja ācharyan. Migrated to Australia in 2006, works as telecom engineer in the aviation and marine sectors, and is available on weekends as a Purohit. He performs all purva prayoga samskārās - Vaidik, Pauranik and Pāncharātra Pandit Daxesh Joshi
0402 523 128 |daxeshnikora@gmail.com
Born by the banks of the Narmada River into a religious Brahmin family in the state of Gujarat, India, Pandit Daxesh has been exposed to traditional Hindu ceremonies and rituals from a very young age. From very early on he would help in his local village Ramji Mandir and soon became the main Pandit there. He has studied and dived deep into understanding a variety of scriptures like yajña, karma-khanda, vedas & others under well-known Gurus including Param Pujya Shree Pandurang Shashtri Athavale at Tatvajnana Vidyapeeth in order to understand what is at the core of spirituality and Hinduism. He received his Diploma In Mechanical Engineering prior to coming to Australia in 2008 and continues to spread his knowledge to the community. Purohit Srinivasa Vijayendra Rao Damathmari
|
In order to book a priest please contact the individual priest directly - phone numbers and email contacts are next to their names.
|
