This Hindu Temple in Santa Clara houses a two ton solid granite Shivalingam with 1008 individual shiva lingams inscribed upon it.  This is known as a “sahasralingam”. In addition the lingam is consecrated as Sri Maha Kaleshwar, who is one of the 12 Jyotirlingams, especially sacred manifestations of Lord Shiva in India.  This is the first of an eventual twelve Jyotirlingam temples to be established in the United States under the auspices of the Sree Narayanee Kalikambal Foundation.

Sri Maha Kaleshwar, whose original temple is in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India, is known as the Lord of Time.  Unlike other Shivalingams, Sri Maha Kaleshwar faces South, the traditional direction of death in Hindu culture.  As such he is the Lord who does not turn his face away from suffering, illness, or death, and who is capable of conquering the most difficult of circumstances.  Prayers to him for relief of mental and physical suffering are particularly effective.  He grants wisdom, peace, and well-being.