Branch Story

The Springfield Branch was established in 1955 by the late Swami Sivanantha Navalar and was the second branch of the Sungum to be established.

 Sunday services were conducted at a home in Quarry Road – Floxglove Place vicinity.

The first Guru of this Branch was Swami Sivananda Navalar. owing to the pressure of work at Headquarters he was recalled.The next Guru was Sri Swami Somanananthar. The members worked tirelessly to spread Saivism.

In 1957 Sri Somanananthar was transfered to a newly created branch at Umhlatuzana Township .

His place was filled by Swami Nithiananda. Under his leadership the Branch grew from strength to strength.Mr M Murugan was the Chairperson, Mr K Ravanananthan was the Secretary and Mr K.L Padayachee the Treasurer.

The members took a keen interest in performing cottage services.Services were also held in the homes of the sick.

To spread the appreciation for Saivism, vernacular classes were resumed.For this task Mr Ravanananthan and Mr k.L Padayachee have to be highly commended for their voluntary sacrifice.Full credit is also due to Mr Francis Nair for his unceasing operation toward the various activities of the branch in its early days.

Swami Nithianandar worked tirelessly to propogate not only Saivism but also the Tamil language and culture.

He served the Sungum faithfully with the assistance of a few dedicated members including Guru Ravenanantha, the Late Francis Nair, Mr T.L. Ram, Mr Naidoo, Late Mr A Nair and the Late Mr Roy Thangavelu, who served as the Chairman of the branch for a number of years.

When Swami Nithinandar passed on in 1973 – spiritual leadership passed onto the Late Swami Venugananda (Better known as Swami Nainaar). During this period Mrs Simadari (Swami Nainaar’s wife) conducted Tamil vernacular classes and helped to prepare children to participate at the Children’s Day functions at Derby Street.

It was during this period that the Springfield Branch had embarked on a temple building project in Clayton Road, Asherville. Unfortunately the Swami did not live long enough to see the completion of this project.

Guru Sonny Perumal who succeeded Swami Venugananda, appointed new officials and continued from where the Late Swami had left.

Officials and members of the Springfield Branch under the chairmanship of the Late Mr Captain Marimuthu worked very hard, made great sacrifices and helped in raising funds to complete a shrine in the name of Lord Siva. 

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In the year 2000, Guru Sonny Perumal was initiated into the divine order and given the name Swami Siva Gnaana Pragasen and subsequently appointed Deputy Spiritual Head of the Saiva Sithantha Sungum and resident Guru of the Durban Branch.

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The Springfield Branch was re-established in 2008 by Santhieran Marimuthu, Vishantham Naidoo and Myurie Naidoo as a youth project after realising a need for spiritual upliftment in the community.

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The branch is led by Guru Kogie Soobramoney (Nithianandhar) under the able Chairmanship of Mr Magen Kandan.

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The Springfield Branch is the oldest established branch of the Saiva Sithantha Sungum - Universal Mission

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