Serving the Hindu community in Australia

Welcome to the website of the Australian Council of Hindu Clergy. We are a council of Hindu priests, monks, nuns, astrologers and preachers (kathakaras) coming from a wide range of backgrounds:— India, Srilanka, Nepal, Fiji and South Africa and practicing throughout Australia. We are dedicated to the service of the Hindu community at large  and the promotion of the Hindu Dharma in general and have been operating since 1989.
Our Management Team
President: Pandit Athreiya, Vice-President: Pandit Dave, Secretary:  Pandit Venkatraman Shastri,
Joint Secretary:  Pandit Bhattar,  Public Relations Officer: Pandit Sivan, Treasurer: Pandit Sharma
We are here to help you to celebrate your festivals and observe  your sacraments such as birth, marriage and funerals etc. As well as playing a role in educating and instructing the community in all matters pertaining to the theory and practice of the Dharma.

Application for Clergy Membership
Download an application form, fill it in, scan and send it to us by email. To download an application form click HERE

WE WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY NEW YEAR

The 6th of April heralds the Lunar New Year named Vikari.
Traditionally, on this day of  Yugadi, people used to visit the temple and listen to the panchangam which is recited by a Siddhanti (scholar). It was a social function where the scholar used to make general predictions to the gathering regarding the future aspects. It is said that Panchanga Sravanam does good to the people. The forecast for the country is pronounced, as well as for different places and in the lives of people based on their rāsis (Zodiac birth signs) would be predicted for the whole year ahead.

This is also the beginning of the 9 days festival known as Vasanta Navaratri which culminates in the celebration of the birthday of Lord Rāma on the 14th April. It is customary to begin the new year with the study of the Rāmāyana during these 9 days. The study of which reorientates us to Dharmic values and ideals which we hope to adhere to in the coming year.

The Australian Council of Hindu Clergy wishes all the citizens of this great country all the best for a blessed, prosperous and peaceful new year.
adhyāpanam adhyayanaṁ  yajanaṁ yājanaṁ tathā |
dānaṁ pratigrahaṁ ca-eva brāhmanānām akalpayat || 

To Priests was assigned the duties of teaching and studying (the Veda), performing rituals for their own benefit and for others in the community, giving and accepting (of donations). (Manu 1:88)
Panchang for 2019 calculated for Australia
                            Disclaimer
All the articles and comments on this site are the personal opinions of the author and not reflective of the views of all the members unless otherwise  stated.

            The Crime of Dowry

We, the Hindu Clergy of Australia unreservedly condemn the giving and the taking of Dowry. It is a social evil as well as a sin, condemned by the Shastra.

       strīdhanāni tu ye mohād upajīvanti bāndhavāḥ |
        nārī yānāni vastraṁ vā te pāpā yānti adhogatim ||
Those deluded relatives who live off a woman’s property — her carriages, her clothes, and so on are evil and go to hell.  (Manu 3:52)

It is illegal under the Australian Marriage act to pressure or to coerce the parties to a marriage in any way, and the giving and taking of dowry is a form of coercion. Participants to a coercive marriage can be prosecuted under the law.
                                False Advertising by so-called PANDITS

There are a number of so-called PANDITS that advertise in the local Indian Newspapers, claiming to be able to remove black-magic and witchcraft, to practice faith-healing, bring back-loved ones and to solve every problem with 100% Guarantee and 100% satisfaction.

These so-called PANDITS are not members of this organization and have nothing to do with us. We do not approve of their practices nor do we endorse their claims. No one, not even scientists can give 100% guarantee about anything and to claim this regarding voodoo and black-magic and other personal problems is plainly misleading, deceptive and false advertising.

                                               We request you to avoid these charlatans by all means.