Religious Workers – Priest Assistants

 Job Title
Salary Per Annum

Hours Per Week
Days Per Week

Job Status
Location
Reports to
Responsible to
Posting Date
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 Temple Overview

 London Sri Murugan Temple
Job Description

3 Religious Workers – Priest Assistants
£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 – 2 year Contract
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 (Vedagama Vidyalayam) in Tamil Nadu. They are regularly
asked to visit and perform prayers / poojas at various national and international events and
auspicious functions.

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.

Job Purpose

  To contribute to organisational growth through the quality service to ensure the 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 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

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

Roles & Responsibilities

The postholder should have previous experience of working in South Indian Hindu temples.

Responsible  for  assisting  the  priests  in  performing  homam,  abhishekam  (divine  consecrations),
alangaram  (decorating  deities)  archanai  (chanting  mantras)  and  pooja  (ceremonial  worship)  in
accordance with the strict Hindu 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 should be familiar with the necessary items for different ceremonies and
rituals.

To ensure that the deities and the altar/sanctum are always clean and tidy.  This includes the polishing
of the metal deities, disposal of all used flowers/garlands, arranging the deities’ clothing and placing
them neatly in the appropriate cupboards.   To ensure the pooja items and deities clothing cupboards
a kept tidy 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

  Applicant should have Brahmin lineage of priesthood.

  3+ years of experience working in Tamil Nadu temples after attending a religious based educational

centre (Vedagama Vidyalayam)

  Applicant must be Tamil speaking and have the ability to converse in English and Hindi is

essential.  Ability to converse in other South Indian languages is an advantage but not essential.

  Trained and well versed in one of the many branches of Shaiva Agama to enable the carrying out

of the priestly assistant duties.

  Must have good written, communication and interpersonal skills and demonstrate the ability to

work with other priests, devotees, temple staff and board of trustees.

  Able to conduct Poojas in both the Saivaite and Vaishnavaite traditions.



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