Arulmihu Sivan Temple

The temple maintains a structured schedule of daily poojas at 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 7:00 PM. These regular rituals form the backbone of temple life, offering devotees consistent opportunities for worship and darshan. The morning pooja begins at 9:00 AM, the midday pooja at 12:00 PM, and the evening pooja at 7:00 PM. Special observances and variations in ritual practice occur on significant days in the Hindu calendar, which the temple tracks through its published calendar and panchanga (traditional astronomical almanac).

The temple accepts online reservations for certain poojas and ceremonies, reflecting its adaptation to contemporary practice while maintaining traditional ritual forms. Devotees seeking specific rituals or ceremonies can contact the temple directly to arrange their participation.

Festivals and Observances

The temple observes major festivals central to Shaivite practice, including Maha Shivaratri and Thai Poosam. An annual Grand Festival forms the centerpiece of the temple's calendar. The temple also marks numerous vrata (observance) days throughout the year, details of which are maintained in the temple's calendar and panchanga. Recent announcements indicate observances such as Vinayaka Chaturthi, Pradosha vrata, and seasonal festivals aligned with the Tamil calendar.

Beyond formal religious observances, the temple hosts cultural events including the Kalaivani festival, which celebrates Tamil arts and culture. These gatherings serve the dual purpose of maintaining religious practice and preserving Tamil cultural heritage within the Swiss context.

Visiting the Temple: Practical Information

The temple is open from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM in the morning and from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM in the evening. Visitors should expect variations in these hours during special festivals and observances. The temple is located at Industriestrasse 34, CH-8152 Glattbrugg, Switzerland. Contact details for inquiries are available through the temple's website at sivankovil.ch, by telephone at +41 (0) 44 371 02 42, or by email at info@sivankovil.ch.

Temples dedicated to Shiva typically expect visitors to remove footwear before entering the inner sanctum and to dress modestly. Menstruating women traditionally do not enter the inner sanctum in Shaivite temples, though practices may vary. Visitors are welcome to observe the poojas and receive darshan of the deities. Photography policies should be confirmed with temple staff upon arrival.

Community Services and Support

Beyond its primary religious function, the temple operates several community initiatives through the Anbe Sivam charitable foundation. These include housing projects, food service programs, and other welfare activities that extend the temple's role beyond worship to encompass broader community support. The temple also operates Sivan Television and Sivan Radio, extending its reach to the diaspora community. These services reflect the temple's understanding of spiritual practice as inseparable from social responsibility and community care.