Temple

Priests & Staff

The people who perform the poojas and look after the temple every day

Priests

Our priests

Our priests perform the daily poojas, archanai, abhishekam and homams, and the temple's festivals. They also perform ceremonies at your home or venue, such as weddings and housewarmings.

Suthan Gurukkal

Vethovacha Aagama Vidwan, Sivaagama Thatva Visharath Nithyanantha Suthanantha Sivacharyaar Popularly known as Suthan Gurukkal

Suthan Gurukkal hails from a highly respected Aadi Saiva Sivacharyaar family that has served at Chankanai, Jaffna, for nine generations. He is well versed in the Saiva Aagamas and Hindu philosophy, and completed the full Veda Aagama curriculum at Sridevi Gurukulam, Nallur. He is widely recognised in the local Hindu community for leading religious services, traditional rituals and educational outreach.

As the resident senior priest at Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar Temple, Suthan Gurukkal oversees the major religious observances, festival preparations and astronomical advisories. He pioneered an interactive, multilingual question-and-answer session for younger generations, explaining in English, Tamil and Sanskrit the deeper spiritual philosophies, the purpose behind complex temple rituals and the meaning of ancient mantras, to bridge cultural barriers.

Gurumurthy Senthilkumarasivam

“Vedhasivagama Rathnam” · “Sivakama Praveena” · “Jyothish Visharath” Gurumurthy Senthilkumarasivam BA in Astrology

Sivacharyar Senthilkumarasivam brings 29 years of experience in temple service and Hindu religious practices, along with 25 years of experience in astrology. He completed five years of study in Veda Agamam and received a certificate upon completion. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Astrology and provides astrological consultations and horoscope readings.

Dedicated to preserving Sanatana Dharma and Hindu traditions, he performs poojas, abhishekams, homams and other sacred ceremonies in accordance with traditional practices. Through his religious service and astrological knowledge, he strives to support devotees in their spiritual journeys and preserve the rich heritage of Hindu worship at Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar Temple.

Dr K Lingeswarasivachariyar

“Sakalagama Sankiragar” Sivabrammasri Dr K Lingeswarasivachariyar

Dr Lingeswarasivachariyar is a dedicated Hindu priest with extensive knowledge of the Vedas and Agama Shastras. He completed five years of traditional training at a Gurukulam, gaining a strong foundation in Vedic teachings and temple rituals. In 20 years of service at various temples, he has conducted numerous Kumbhabhishekams, Mahotsavams, Shankhabhishekams and Hindu wedding ceremonies.

In recognition of his religious knowledge, practical experience and dedicated service to Hindu traditions, he has been awarded a doctorate. He is committed to preserving our ancient spiritual heritage, and to serving temples and devotees with sincerity, humility, discipline and unwavering devotion.

Sabarathinakkurukkal Jothikarasharma at the temple, ringing the bell beside the kumbam

Brahmasri Sabarathinakkurukkal Jothikarasharma

Brahmasri Sabarathinakkurukkal Jothikarasharma is a Hindu priest with a sound knowledge of temple rituals and traditions, and a deep sense of dedication. He completed his traditional training at the Gurukulam of the International Hindu Religious Guru Peedam, gaining extensive knowledge and practical experience in traditional temple worship.

In 19 years of service at various temples, he has served as a Yaga Samrakshakar, who supervises and protects the sacred fire ceremonies, at numerous ceremonies and festivals, including Kumbhabhishekams, Mahotsavams and Shankhabhishekams. He has also prepared Naivedyam, the sacred food offered to the deity, considering service to God the highest duty of his life.

Deeply committed to preserving and upholding the ancient Saivite and Hindu spiritual traditions, he continues to serve temples and devotees with integrity, humility, discipline and unwavering devotion to God.

See Poojas for the daily times and prices.

Musicians

Our musicians

Dr Srinivasan Kaliyamoorthy

Nathaswara Vidwan Dr Srinivasan Kaliyamoorthy

Dr Srinivasan Kaliyamoorthy, associated with the Kudanthai Brothers, carries forward a Nathaswaram tradition spanning five generations. He holds a PhD in Music from Tamil University, Thanjavur, and has served as Nathaswara Vidwan at Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar Temple, Melbourne, since 2018.

His honours include the “Nathaswara Navarasa Mamani” title from Isai Velalar Sangam, “Best Nathaswara Player” recognition from Tamil Nadu’s Iyal Isai Nadaga Mandram, and gold medals from Kannur Sundareswara Temple and Melbourne Vinayagar Hindu Sangam. With over 3,500 performances, his international experience includes temple festivals, weddings and cultural events across India, Australia, Singapore and Sri Lanka, celebrating his rich musical heritage.

T. Vasanth

Thavil Artist T. Vasanth

T. Vasanth is a Thavil artist continuing his family’s musical tradition. He has worked at Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar Temple, Melbourne, since 2024. Trained under Vedaranyam V. G. Balasubramaniyam and Thiruramaeswaram T. B. Radhakrishnan, he completed his Diploma in Thavil at Tamil Nadu Government Music College, Thiruvaiyaru, in 2020.

With over 1,500 performances since 2018, his experience spans temple festivals, Hindu weddings and public events. His honours include “Sangeetha Seva Rathna” (2022) and “Laya Nada Sol Sudaroli” (2023). He has performed at Nattiyanjali festivals, Chandigarh Tamil Sangam’s Chithirai Thiruvizha and Cuddalore’s Neithal Kodai Vizha, sharing his musical heritage with audiences through traditional percussion.

Temple kitchen

Madapalli priests

The madapalli is the temple’s kitchen. Its priests prepare the naivedyam offered to the deities at every pooja, and the prasadam shared with devotees afterwards.

Dhinesh Ravi, standing before a garlanded painting of the goddess Annapoorani
Dhinesh Ravi
Jayanthi Ramachandramurthy, standing before a garlanded painting of the goddess Annapoorani
Jayanthi Ramachandramurthy
Kannan Manikandan, in a white veshti and angavastram, standing before a garlanded painting of the goddess Annapoorani
Kannan Manikandan
S. Kalyanam, in a white veshti, standing before a garlanded painting of the goddess Annapoorani
S. Kalyanam
Subramanian Gopi, in a white veshti, standing in the temple kitchen
Subramanian Gopi
Priests

Saiva priest

Iyangran, wearing a red rudraksha mala

Iyangran