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Sri Maha Kaleshwar Mandir is the first Jyotirlingam Shiva temple in the United States. Its two ton granite sahasralingam was inaugurated on August 28, 2010 by Swami Sathasivom, head priest of Sri Kalikambal Temple in Chennai, India, and President and Founder of Sree Narayanee Kalikambal Sathasivom Foundation.
The temple houses a two ton solid granite Shivalingam with 1008 individual shivalingams inscribed upon it. This is known as a “sahasralingam,” and multiplies Lord Shiva’s power by 1000 times. In addition the lingam is consecrated as Sri Maha Kaleshwar, who is one of the 12 Jyotirlingams, especially sacred manifestations of Lord Shiva in India. This is the first of an eventual twelve Jyotirlingam temples to be established in the United States under the auspices of the Sree Narayanee Kalikambal Foundation.
Sri Maha Kaleshwar, whose original temple is in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India, is known as the Lord of Time. Unlike other Shivalingams, Sri Maha Kaleshwar faces South, the traditional direction of death in Hindu culture. As such he is the Lord who does not turn his face away from suffering, illness, or death, and who is capable of conquering the most difficult of circumstances. Prayers to him for relief of mental and physical suffering are particularly effective. He grants wisdom, peace, and well-being.
Our temple is open to all, without regard to religion, race, caste, or gender, and is dedicated to the service, enlightenment, and upliftment of humanity. Our temple is unique in that devotees are invited to participate fully in worship, including performing abhishekam (bath with sacred substances) of Sri Maha Kaleshwar (see Calendar to the right for dates). Devotees may request and/or sponsor pujas or perform worship themselves, as they prefer.