About Us

SKCC was established with a mission:

• To operate a spiritual and cultural center to propagate and perpetuate the religious and cultural aspects of Hinduism and teachings of Sanatana Dharma.
• To organize spiritual as well as religious events associated with the worship of various Hindu Deities as per Vedic scriptures and traditions.
• To teach children and youth, Tamil and Sanskrit (the world's two oldest languages) through the SKCC Bala Vidyalaya initiative.
• To teach and instill in children, youth, and adults the chanting and practice of the Vedas and Puranas, which promotes internal spiritual growth, focus, concentration, good health, harmony, domestic happiness, and world peace.
• To adhere to the teachings and philosophy of Sri Sri Sri Maha Periyava (Sage of Kanchi) and the Guru Parampara.
• To raise awareness of Hinduism and Sanatana Dharma through music, dance, art, lectures, speeches, and 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 support emerging and established artists worldwide, host concerts and programs in various classical Hindu religious, spiritual, cultural, and artistic forms, and promote human well-being through these mediums.
• To provide assistance to other communities (local and worldwide) in the area of human, religious and community services.

The founding member of SKCC, (Late) Brahmasri Pandit Chandramouli Narayanasastrigal, established and started the Community Center with a vision to ensure perpetual continuity of the Sanatana 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 Puja (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 Maha Periyava), 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 Swami Kalyana Utsavam), a way to highlight and propagate the importance of family in our society.
    • A week-long recitation of the Holy scriptures (Vedas) by knowledgeable scholars, both annually and monthly.
    • 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.
  • Providing a platform for artists of various ages and talents to perform, using arts as a medium of expression.