About Us
Sri Kamakshi Community Center (SKCC) is a non-profit organization that was established in 2013 with a singular mission of preserving the Hindu Vedic traditions and Sanatana Dharma, as per the Vedic Shastras and the teachings of Sri Sri Sri Maha Periyava (the 68th Pontiff of the Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt, Kanchipuram, India) and the Guru Parampara (lineage of spiritual Gurus)
A temporary place of worship was established in 2015 at Santa Clara, California, USA, with shrines for Goddess Sri Kamakshi and Sri Sri Sri Maha Periyava. Since its establishment, SKCC has served as a focal center for the Hindu community in the Bay Area, offering various religious, spiritual and cultural events and opportunities for all its members and devotees.
Overview
Mission
SKCC was established with a mission :
- To operate a spiritual and cultural center to propagate and perpetuate the religious and cultural aspects of Hinduism (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism) and teachings of Sanatana Dharma (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San%C4%81tana_Dharma)
- To organize spiritual as well as religious events associated with the worship of various Hindu Deities (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_deities) as per Vedic scriptures and traditions (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedas)
- To teach kids and youth, Tamil and Sanskrit (the world's two oldest languages) through the SKCC Bala Vidyalaya Initiative
- To teach and inculcate in kids, youth and adults, the chanting and practice of the Vedas (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedas) and the Puraanas (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puranas), which has multifold benefits of promoting internal spiritual growth of the mind including focus, concentration and good health, promoting internal and external harmony resulting in domestic happiness as well as promoting world peace.
- To adhere to the teachings and philosophy of Sri Sri Sri Maha Periyava (Sage of Kanchi - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandrashekharendra_Saraswati_VIII) and the Guru Parampara (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru)
- To promote the awareness of Hinduism and Sanatana Dharma to the community through various formats such as music, dance and other art forms; lectures, discourses and speeches by renowned and esteemed scholars ; and through various social media, electronic and print publications
- To nurture, encourage and provide a platform with multiple opportunities to the local San Francisco Bay Area and surrounding communities, including various art schools and cultural institutions for kids and adults, to showcase their talent and devotion in classical Hindu art forms such as music, dance, classical musical instruments etc.
- To provide a platform and to support up-and-coming and renowned artistes from across the globe, to perform concerts and programs in various classical Hindu religious, spiritual, cultural and art forms, and to use these as a medium to promote the wellbeing of all mankind
- To provide assistance to other communities (local and worldwide) in the area of human, religious and community services
Vision
The founding member of SKCC, Sri Pandit Chandramouli Narayanasastrigal, established and started the Community Center with a vision to ensure perpetual continuity of the Santana Dharma and Hinduism in future generations of devotees living in the United States and the San Francisco Bay Area specifically, and to teach the next/younger generation about the Hindu Scriptures, Shastras, the Hindu philosophy and the Dharmic way of life.
- Programs/Services: SKCC offers a variety of programs and services, including:
- Scheduled pujas (prayer events) and special worship services.
- Classes on Hindu scriptures, philosophy, and culture to perpetuate thousands of years of traditions
- Language instruction in Tamil and Sanskrit (classical languages practiced by millions in India).
- Providing a platform for both established and up-and-coming artists to perform Indian Classical music (instrumental & vocal) and Indian Classical dance and other Cultural events.
- Community outreach programs.
- Community: SKCC serves a diverse community of over 5000+ families in the Bay area.
- Key Achievements:
- Congregation of a large part of the Bay Area community, bringing them together through multiple religious, spiritual and cultural events
- Development of a wide range of programs and services such as -
- Annual Sahasra Suvasini Pooja (Celebrating and respecting the feminine Goddess form amongst Women of all walks of life)
- Annual 9-day celebration of the auspicious period of Navaratri, a religious observance period of praying and worshiping various Hindu Goddesses
- Annual day-long birthday celebrations of a revered Sage of Kanchi (Sri Sri Sri Mahaperiyava), spreading and teaching the tenets of Sanatana Dharma (Eternal Order of the right way of living) as per His teachings
- Annual Celebration of Hindu Gods' Celestial Marriage Celebrations (Sri Venkateswara Kalayana Ustav), a way to highlight and propagate the importance of family in our society
- Annual and monthly recitation of Holy scriptures (Vedas) over a week by learned scholars
- Monthly Birthday Celebration (as per the lunar calendar) of the main temple deity (Sri Kamakshi)
- Annual, monthly and weekly prayer events that bring together the community towards a common cause, spreading the good word of righteousness and discharge of duty within the constructs of the family and the society as a whole
- All other Indian Hindu religious and cultural Festivals
- Cultivation of a strong and active community.
- Daily communion - open to all members and non-members who follow the culture & traditions
- Weekly Special - Friday Prayers and communion
- Community School to teach youngsters traditions and classical languages
Expansion Plans
Keeping in mind the growing devotee population in the Bay Area and to fulfill the long-desired dream of the SKCC founder (Late) Pandit Shri Chandramouli to establish permanent shrines for the SKCC deities, with the dedication and commitment of Pandit Chandramouli and the support of the community, SKCC recently purchased a facility housed at 16705, Butterfield Blvd, Morgan Hill, CA 95037 that boasts of 2,160 Sq. Ft built-in area on a 2.1 Acre lot and with 97 parking spaces in the latter half of 2024.
This establishment, hereafter referred to as the Kapilaaranya Kshethram (believed to be a possible cognate of the word California) will serve as the permanent facility for SKCC and plans are currently being prepared for submission to the City of Morgan Hill to obtain the permits to re-configure the facility.
The upgraded facility will be a Hindu Temple modeled similar to Sri Kamakshi Temple in the city of Kanchipuram in Southern India. The facility will have Goddess Sri Kamakshi as the main presiding deity with Sri Adi Shankaracharya and Sri Sri Sri Maha Periyava as other presiding deities. The temple also will have shrines for the idols of 9 other Hindu deities, representing other forms of cosmic energy, as is the tradition in any Hindu Temple.
The new facility also has a fully equipped kitchen with commercial grade equipment. It offers separate rooms to conduct various religious and spiritual classes for children and adults, host various traditional art and cultural programs, and to allow devotees/members of the SKCC community to host religious family events.
Leadership Team
Founder
Brahmasri Chandramouli Narayanasastrigal studied Krishna Yejurvedam Kramantham from his father. Acquired skills of Smartha Prayogam from Mannargudi, Tamil Nadu and Veda Bhashya Pravesam from Srimatam at Kancheepuram.
Brahmasri Chandramouli Narayanasastriga
Sri Brahmasri Chandramouli Narayanasastrigal worked at the Sri Matam, Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Kancheepuram for 18 years under the guidance of Sri Sri Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi (Maha Periyava). Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Kancheepuram was established by Sri Adi Shankara and has the distinction of an unbroken line of 70 Acharyas (spiritual leaders). In 2002, he moved to the United States and had the privilege to work as Priest at Livermore Temple, California for 10 years.
With the blessings for Sri Mahaperiyava Sri Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Swamigal; Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetadhipathi Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal, and Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal, he established the Sri Kamakshi Community Center (SKCC), Santa Clara, California in 2015.
Pandit Chandramouli served the Bay Area community not only as the priest of the SKCC Temple, but also as the guiding Guru and family priest, extremely learned in the Vedas, Upanishads and the Shaastras, for hundreds of devotees in the Bay Area. He was an extremely ardent devotee of Maha Periyava and was very particular in not only following His teachings, but to teach all others around him. He believed very strongly in the Santana Dharma and the Hindu culture, and believed that the way forward was to inculcate and inbibe in the youth of today, the Dharmic way of life. He believed in teaching the Vedas and Shlokas, not only to interested adults, but to kids and young teens, who are the next generation to take Maha Periyava’s teachings forward.
On a fateful day in November 2024, after putting up a very brave fight, he lost the battle against cancer, and attained the lotus feet of Sri Sri Sri Maha Periyava. “Chandramouli mama” as he was fondly called, was beloved to so many devotees of all ages, from young toddlers to senior citizens. His absence has left a void and is a great loss to the entire Bay Area community. His legacy lives on, in all his devotees and volunteers, who strive every day to inculcate his teachings and the teachings of Maha Periyava in their daily lives.
Experience and Expertise:
SKCC is led by a dedicated team of volunteers with extensive experience in non-profit management, community development, and Hindu culture and traditions.
Commitment:
The leadership team is fully committed to the success of the vision and mission statements and with regards to future expansion plans and the long-term sustainability of SKCC.
Founder
(Late) Pandit Chandramouli NarayanasastrigaPresident and Chairperson
Sruthi ChandramoulSecretary
Anand BandiTreasurer
Janaki VenkatasubramanianDirector
Jaya VishuDirector
Gouri JonnalagaddaDirector
Kausalya MadhusudanDirector
Sandhya VaradarajanExecutive committees
The organization has several executive committees that have been formed for effective functioning of various focus areas. Below are the list of committees and its members.
Administration Committee
Bala Vidyala & Pushpanjali Committee
Building Committee
Cultural Committee
Events Committee
Finance Committee
Facilities & Maintenance Committee
Food Committee
Fund Raising Committee
IT, Publicity & Communication Committee
Public Relations Committee
Religious Committee
Religious Inventory & Procurement Committee
Volunteer Coordination Committee
Young & Youth Committee
Events and Programs at SKCC
Regular Rituals, Ceremonies and Worship (Pujas):
- Daily prayers to Sri Kamakshi, Sri Ganapathi & Sri Sri Sri Maha Periyava
- Archana (offerings and veneration to the deity) & Aarthi (Holy lamp lighting) and other rituals for devotees seeking the deity's blessings.
Daily Events
- Sri Kamakshi abhishekam - every day. On Fridays, the program will be elaborate with Moola Mantra Homam followed by Abhishekam, grand alankaram, Sri Lalitha Sahasranama Chanting by devotees, Suvasini & Kanya Puja, followed by Archana, Aarathi, and Maha Prasadam distribution.
- Archana (offerings and veneration to the deity) & Aarthi (Holy lamp lighting) to Sri Ganapathi, Sri Kamakshi and Sri Sri Sri Maha Periyava
Weekly Events
Monday
Sri Shiva AbhishekamThursday
Sri Sri Maha Periyava Paduka AbhishekamSaturday
- Sri Sridevi
- Bhoodevi sametha Venkateswara swamy Abhishekam
Sunday
Sri Maha Ganapathi AbhishekamMonthly Events
Pooram / Poorva Phalguni star day
- Sri Ramaa
- Vaani sametha Sri Kamakshi abhishekam and chariot procession
Anusham / Anuradha Nakshatra day
- Sri Sri Sri Maha Periyava worship
- Sri Rudrabhishekam
- Bhajans
- Archana
- Swasthi - Vachanam
- Thotakashtakam Namaskaram for Sri Sri Sri Maha Periyava on his birth star every month
Full moon day
- Navaavarna (Pournami) Pooja
- Special Abhishekam for Sri Chakram with nine different fruits, flowers, and Prasadams offered to Sri Kamakshi
Other / Annual Events
All 4 seasons
- Navaratris
- Sharadha Navarathri Sahasra Suvasini Puja
May/June
Sri Sri Sri Maha Periyava JayanthiDecember
Sri Sri Sri Maha Periyava AaradhanaiAt least once a year
- Conducting Kalyanotsavams (Marriage ceremony of Sri Venkateswara swamy and His consorts)
- Maha Shivaraatri, Ganesh Chathurthi and other Hindu festival days
- Veda Parayana ( Reading & Chanting the Holy book of Vedas & scriptures)
- Special Devotee Pujas such as Wedding ceremonies, Baby Showers, Naming ceremonies, Ground breaking ceremony, House warming, Satayanarayana Puja, Funerals and other devotee requested Pujas and services as per the scriptures.