The Merebank Branch of the Saiva Sithantha Sungum was formed during the Spiritual Leadership of Late Swami Sri Karuniananda Swamigal. It was His aim and objective to spread the teachings of His Holiness Subramonia Guru Swamigal through out the length and breadth of South Africa.

 

The Swami, during his visit to Merebank was approached by the Late Mr Mannie Naidoo to form a branch of the Sungum in Merebank, with the blessing of Swamigal, services started in October 1962 at the Late Mr Mannie Naidoo’s residence in Jammu Road. Guru Ravenananda, the son of Sri Karuniananda Swamigal was the first Guru to conduct the services at this branch.

 

Late Guru Balakrishna was the first Guru to be appointed by Head Office to conduct the services at Merebank Branch. He is now presently the resident Guru of the Umhlatuzana Branch. The lounge of the Naidoo’s residence was not enough to accommodate the growing membership of the branch. A classroom at the Merebank State Aided School was used, and when the school was demolished the new Ganges Secondary School was used by the members for services and functions.

Late Swami Bramananda Succeeded Guru Balakrishna as the leader of the Merebank Branch and held the reigns for a short while. Head office then appointed Late Guru Govindsamy as the Guru in Charge of the Merebank Branch. He held this position for a long period. The Swamis and Gurus did yeoman service for the branch. The first executive committee to serve this branch was Mr Percy Vandiyar (Chairman), Late Mr Mannie Naidoo (Treasurer), Late Mr Boya Naidoo (Secretary), all are late now.

During the late seventies the congregation felt that a temple should be built to cater for their needs and propagate Saivism. The committee under the Chairmanship of Mr ST Moodley together with Guru Govindsamy approached Head Office to apply for a religious site in the Merebank area. Through the grace of LORD SHIVA the Sungum was allocated the vacant plot at 42 Gulmal Crescent, Merebank.

Members place on record their thanks and appreciation to Mr Jay Govender an ardent devotee of branch who undertook to draw the plans in consultation with Late Swami Sivantha Navaler and had it approved by the Durban City Council at his cost on the 10 th November 1982.

 

The Sungum is indebted to Mr Henry Naidoo a civil engineer who marked the trenches at no cost to the Sungum. As soon as the trenches were ready the foundation laying ceremony was observed, led and conducted by Swami Navaler together with Guru Govindsamy in March 1983.

The members pay a special tribute to Late Mr Marrie Naidoo & family, stalwarts of the branch for so lovingly bearing the cost of the foundation. Thanks also to Mr TS Moodley & family for donating almost all the common bricks used in the construction of this building. The loving families living around the vicinity of the temple have been of great assistance to the temple, with water, lights, telephone, labour and building tools during the construction of the temples.

 

We place our sincere thanks to them. Various fund-raising drives were held to finish the building project. The major part of the funds received was from the contributions made by the devotees of the branch.
Upon completion of the temple, Late Guru Govindsamy conducted services for quite a while till he was called to rest. Boya Naidoo was then appointed Guru of the branch. Guru Boya Naidoo suddenly fell ill in 1992 and was away from services for quite a while.

 

During his absence the services were conducted by Mrs Reghie Moodley and Mr Gonnie Pillay. Guru Boya did not recover from his illness and was called to rest on the 23 rd December 1992. Gonnie Pillay was then appointed Guru of the branch. Mrs Sagrie Naidoo is the current Guru of the branch.