A sacred thread from Tamil Nadu to Botswana.
Thiru Murugan Temple stands as a living continuation of the Shaivite and Murugan traditions, carried across oceans by devotees who sought both a home and a sanctuary.
From a small shrine to a sacred home.
The temple was established in 2010 by a gathering of devotees who longed for a place in Botswana to worship Lord Murugan in the traditional way. From a humble shrine, it has grown — through faith, donations, and many pairs of hands — into a devotional home where the community gathers in His name.
In that same year, the Murugan idol was built and Thirumurugan was lovingly entrusted to the care of trustees Mr. Sivalingum Naicker and Mrs. Thanuja Panicker, who led the very first Kaavadi for Lord Muruga in Botswana — and have remained in His seva ever since.
Thirumurugan presently resides at Plot 10963, Broadhurst, Gaborone, where devotees gather for daily darshan and seva. A permanent home is being prepared on Tribal Lot 765, on the banks of the Thagale river in Malotwana Village, where the Trust awaits final land-board approval.
Mission, values, and spiritual intent
We are guardians of a tradition; stewards of a community; a home for devotion in its quiet, everyday form.
Devotion
To preserve the traditional worship of Lord Murugan through daily rituals, festivals, and samskaras conducted in accordance with Agamic texts.
Community
To serve as a gathering place for the Tamil and Hindu community of Botswana — offering belonging, guidance, and shared celebration.
Continuity
To pass the living traditions of Tamil language, music, dance, and faith to the next generation born on this land.
Under the guidance of our Gurukkals
Our rituals are conducted by learned priests from the Shaivite and Agamic tradition — from Swamimalai and beyond.
SPS Ramesh GurukkalOfficiating Gurukkal — Swamimalai
CPKT 2025 was officiated by Balakrishna Sastry, SPS Ramesh Gurukkal Swamimalai, Swaminathan Gurukkal Ammankudi, and S. Saravanan Gurukkal.
Our trustees & committees
The trustees and volunteers whose devotion keeps Thirumurugan Temple alive and flourishing. Many serve across more than one committee.
The seven who began this seva
Mr. Jeyakumar ThiyagarajanTrustee Chairperson · Hospitality & Catering Committee Lead
Mr. Sivalingum NaickerFounding Trustee, Vice-Chairperson · Construction Committee Lead
Mrs. Thanuja Sivalingum NaickerFounding Trustee, Secretary- AAMrs. Anbu Arivukodi Hari ElumalaiTrustee Treasurer · Finance & Projects · Prayer & Bhajan Committee Lead
- AKMr. Arun KumaramanickavelTrustee · International Affairs Lead
Mr. Vasu (Leon) GovenderTrustee · Fund Raising Committee Lead
Fund Raising & Marketing
- Mr. Vasu (Leon) GovenderLead
- Mr. Sivalingum Naicker
- AAMrs. Anbu Arivukodi Hari Elumalai
- HEMr. Hari ElumalaiAuditor in Chief
Construction & Maintenance
- Mr. Sivalingum NaickerLead
- SMr. Sivashankar
Mr. Thabani Masvora
International Relations & PR
- AKMr. Arun KumaravelLead
- Mrs. Thanuja Panicker-Naicker
- PMr. Palanisami
- Swamimalai Ramesh Gurukkal
- ANMr. Arul Nambi
Mr. Magenthran Balakisten
Prayer, Bhajan & Decor
- AAMrs. Anbu Arivukodi Hari ElumalaiLead
Mrs. Lavanya Jeykumar- RSMrs. Radhika Sivashankar
Mrs. Usha Sundar- KMMrs. Kirija Mahendran
Ms. Ashwini
Mrs. Ezhil Sundar- LBMrs. Lavanya Balu
Dr. Panchu Subramaniam
Mrs. Raji Vineeth
Hospitality & Catering
- Mr. Jeyakumar ThiyagarajanLead
Mr. Dhevachellan Muruges
Mrs. Shanbagavelli Muruges- AKMr. Arun Kumaramanickavel
- MMr. Murali
- BMr. Balu
Ms. Shylaja Panicker- KPMrs. Kamala Palanisami
Mr. Sundar Rajan
Why Lord Murugan
Known as Kartikeya, Skanda, Subramanya, and Velayudhan — Lord Murugan is the warrior-sage, the eternal youth, and the protector who destroys ignorance with his sacred vel.
At Thiru Murugan Temple, we turn our hearts to His six sacred abodes — the Arupadai Veedu — and to His grace as the warrior-sage, the eternal youth, and the protector who destroys ignorance with His sacred Vel. Each year the community gathers for the Chitirai Paruvam Kavadi Thiruvizha, the temple's flagship festival, where the bond of faith between Lord Muruga and His devotees finds its fullest expression.
Devotees come to seek courage, health, clarity, and family wellbeing. They leave with a quiet that no words describe.