Religious Worker – Vaishnava Priest Assistant

 Job Title
Salary Per Annum

Hours Per Week
Days Per Week

Job Status
Location
Reports to
Responsible to
Posting Date
Closing Date
 Temple Overview

 London Sri Murugan Temple
Job Description

Religious Worker – Vaishnava Priest Assistant
£20,000. We comply with the National Minimum
Wage regulations, provide holiday pay and other
benefits according to the laws of UK
30
5-6 Days - Flexible Work Pattern requiring early
morning and evening duties

Full Time
London Sri Murugan Temple, London E12
Chief Priest
President
3/3/2026
2/4/2026

London Sri Murugan Temple is a Hindu Religious charity which was formed in 1975. In 2005, the
Trustees opened a grand new Temple built mostly in granite with a 50 feet Rajagopuram (Tower)
conforming to the South Indian (agama shastra) architectural principle. The Temple has become a
phenomenal success not only as a place of worship but also as a community centre for social and
cultural services. London Sri Murugan Temple is now a well-established landmark in the London
Borough of Newham. Many students from local schools, visitors from further afield and international
countries visit the Temple on a regular basis.

The successful candidate will be instrumental in motivating and encouraging the devotees to
participate regularly in all temple activities. None of the rituals, rites, poojas that are performed by
the priests and/or priest assistants in our temple involves any preaching or leading a congregation.

Our priests/priest assistants are well renowned and have acquired their skills and knowledge via the
most prestigious Hindu educational centres in Tamil Nadu. They are regularly asked to visit and
perform prayers / poojas at various national and international events and auspicious functions.

Job Purpose

• To contribute to organisation growth through the quality service to ensure the vaishnava spiritual
needs and requirement of the devotees.

• To ensure all activities are carried out at the scheduled time and in a sanctified manner.

• Be of exemplary character befitting the position of the Priest Assistant and adhere to temple
processes and policies.

• Have sufficient training and experience under a senior priest in Hindu Vedas and
Vaikhansa/Vaishnava agamas to assume the role and duties of the Priest Assistant.

• Willing to accept both Saiva and Vaishnava faith of Hinduism as the Temple has both deities.

Key Working Relationships Internal
Board of Trustees
Administrators
Ancillary Staff

Roles & Responsibilities

External
Devotees
Local Schools
Board of Trustees from Other Temple(s)/
Organisations

The postholder should have previous experience of working in South Indian Hindu temples. The
successful postholder will be responsible for performing homam, abhishekam (divine consecrations),
alangaram (decorating deities) archanai (chanting mantras) and pooja (ceremonial worship) in
accordance with the strict Hindu Vaishnava agamas (rules) and traditions of the Temple.

Postholder should affirm their faith as a Hindu as the role involves assisting in worshipping and
performing poojas for the Hindu Gods in a traditional way and offer of neiveithyam as part of
accompanying pooja rituals to the deities.

Detailed working knowledge of the various steps involved in some of the most common worship
services, ability to chant special prayers that may be in Sanskrit or vernacular Indian languages
(mantras or stotrams) and is familiar with the necessary items for different ceremonies and rituals.

To ensure the deities and the altar/sanctum are clean and tidy at all times. This includes the polishing
of the metal deities, disposal of all used flowers, arranging the deities’ clothing and ensuring all pooja
items are placed in the appropriate cupboard and are neatly arranged on a weekly basis.

Direct all requests by devotees for special Pooja (prayers), Abishekam and Havan (homam) to the
Temple office.

Liaise with the admin team, president, secretary and/or other designated Trustees where
appropriate.

Carry out such other reasonable religious duties as may be requested from time to time by President,
Secretary and/or other Board of Trustees.

Other Requirements

1.  Applicant should have Brahmin lineage of priesthood.
2.  3+ years of experience working in a South Indian (Tamil Nadu) temple after attending a

religious based educational centre.

3.  Applicant must be Tamil speaking, however ability to converse in English, Hindi and other

South Indian languages is preferable but not essential.

4.  Previous experience in conducting vishesha poojas - Sri Rama Navami, Sri Krishna

Janmashtami, Nithya Aaradhana and Sathyanarayana Pooja. Familiarity in conducting
Kalyanam services like: Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam, Sri Srinivasa Kalyanam, Sri Andaal Kalyanam
and all Vaishnava holy weddings. Skilled in singing bhajans, Vishnu & Lakshmi Sahasaranam
and Divya Prabandham.

5.  Detailed working knowledge of the various steps involved in some of the most common
worship services in Tamil Nadu temples, ability to chant special prayers that may be in
Sanskrit or vernacular Indian languages (mantras or stotrams) and is familiar with the
necessary items for different ceremonies and rituals.

6.  Trained and well versed in Vaikhanasa Agama Bhattacharya , Vaikhanasa Agamapravesha,

Vaikhanasa Agamavara Certificate or equivalent certificate.

7.  Able to conduct Poojas in both the Saivaite and Vaishnavaite traditions.
8.  Must have good written and communication skills.  Should demonstrate the ability of having
good interpersonal skills to work with other priests, devotees, temple staff and board of
trustees.

9.  Strict adherence to and high standards of personal cleanliness.

How to apply:

Please apply by sending a CV/written application to:

  The President & Secretary
  London Sri Murugan Temple
  78 Church Road, Manor Park
  London, E12 6AF
  Email:admin@londonsrimurugan.org