Shiva Murugan Temple was initially established in a small wood framed house in San Francisco, California, way back in 1957, by an American born Hindu guru, Sivaya SubramuniyaSwami. It may have been the first Hindu Temple to be opened in the USA.

Offering Pujas to murtis of Ganesha, Muruga and Lord Shiva, it was founded on the traditions of Shaiva Siddhanta and called as the Palani Swami Sivan Temple. It quickly became a popular pilgrimage site in California. Over the years, and on traditional festival days, the small temple could hardly accommodate the crowd of devotees. In 1988, to better facilitate the Hindu community, the temple was moved to a larger site in Concord, California. 

First owned by the Lutherans and later by the Greek Orthodox, structures on the site include the temple proper with a social hall in the basement, a separate building that’s used as an office and classrooms, and a private residence for the Priests.

Due to his efforts to build an orthodox temple on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, Subramuniya Swami decided to sell the temple in Concord to the local Hindu Community in 1995. The Shiva Siddhanta Ashram was incorporated as a non-profit organization, purchased the temple in May, and changed the name to Shiva Murugan Temple.

The first few years have been most generally spent in maintaining the buildings and a dependable schedule of religious events. The Board of Directors continues to look for ways to enhance the temple’s services to the Hindu community by considering the expansion of Temple structure, religious and cultural services.