Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Main Deity: Lord Shiva
Nearest Railway Station: Haupt Bahnhof
Timing: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays
Address: Sivan Temple, Industrie Strasse.34, Postfach-1006, CH-8152 Glattbrugg
The Shiva Temple is a small Hindu temple located in Zurich, Switzerland. It is located on the first floor building. The Nataraja and Shakti are present in the Garba Griha (i.e. the Sanctum Sanctorum), which is behind the Shiva Lingam. Despite the lack of space in the temple, the external as well as the interior parts of the temple are well-maintained and very clean.
The Shiva Temple in Zurich is regarded as one of the famous Hindu temples where people from all over the world and especially the Hindu devotees in the area come to worship their deity and celebrate Indian festivals.
The Shiva Hindu temple was built in the 1990s to bring together the Tamil Hindu population in Switzerland. The temple was established as a non-profit organization where people could come together to pray Lord Shiva. It was set-up with an aim to have a common place where they could practice their faith and religious practices. This initiative was taken by the interreligious society of Zurich. At the time of its establishment, there was around 35,000 Tamil population in that area. A society was formed to maintain and preserve the culture of the Tamil Hindu population. In the year 1994, the work of this revered temple was finished.
Twice per day pujas are held witnessing a huge gathering of people and devotees. However, during festivals, the temple sees around 4000 devotees who come from all over the world to be a part of the grand celebrations. The festival of Mahashivratri is held with enthusiasm and is celebrated in the month of February.
The temple is decorated beautifully and people break their fasts and provide their offerings to Lord Shiva. The temple is normally open in the evenings for two hours only. However, during festivals, the temple is open for a longer period of time. Other festivals that are celebrated in the temple are Pradhoosham during which there are special pujas in the temple.
During the festival time of Aani Thirumanjanam which is celebrated generally in the month of Aani, i.e., between mid-June to mid-July, the yearly festival of Brahmothsavam is celebrated in the temple. Other festivals are Markazi Thirupalli Ezuchci, Skandha Shashti, Vinayaka Chaturthi and Purattaachi Saturdays which are also celebrated in the Shiva Temple. All of the festivals in the temple witnessed a huge gathering with people from various places.
To reach the temple the tram number 11 should be taken from the Main railway station of Haupt Bahnhof towards Oerlikon and Bucheggplatz is the station to get down at. Then the bus number 74 is to be taken and the passenger has to get down at the third stop. The temple is located in the opposite direction of the bus stop.
The temple is generally open for two hours from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm only on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. However, during festivals, the temple might be open for a longer duration. In the Maarkazi month which is from mid-December to mid-January the temple is also open in the morning.
