Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple Carrum Downs
શ્રી શિવ વિષ્ણુ મંદિર
Shiva and Vishnu temple · Carrum Downs, Melbourne, City of Frankston, Victoria, Australia
Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple is a Hindu temple at 52 Boundary Road, Carrum Downs, in Melbourne's south-east, run by the Hindu Society of Victoria (HSV). Its two presiding deities, Shiva and Vishnu, stand side by side in separate main sanctums (moolasthanams), each entered through its own rajagopuram.
The temple was consecrated on 22 May 1994 on land the society bought in 1985. It is widely described as Victoria's largest Hindu temple and is a centre of worship, festivals, weddings and cultural life for Hindus of many backgrounds across Melbourne.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple Carrum Downs
In the society's planning discussions, members chose to make Shiva and Vishnu joint presiding deities in adjacent shrines rather than favour one tradition. Shaiva and Vaishnava worship therefore run side by side here, each with its own associated shrines. A 2004 report in The Age, quoted by Hinduism Today, described the temple as an attempt to bring the two streams together in a synthesis.
The temple holds six daily poojas and annual Brahmotsavams for both presiding deities. One custom is especially well attended: since the 1990s, on 1 January, the temple has performed a Sahasra (1,008) Kalasabhishekam to Vishnu and later added a Sahasra Sangabhishekam to Shiva. The society says almost 10,000 devotees attend each New Year's Day. The HSV describes the temple as the largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere, and former federal MP Mark Dreyfus called it the largest Shiva temple there. Neither claim has been independently measured.
Heritage
History of Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple Carrum Downs
The Hindu Society of Victoria was founded on Vijaya Dasami day in 1982 at a meeting organised by the Ceylon Tamil Association in Glen Iris. Monthly prayer meetings began that November at the Prahran Migrant Resource Centre, and the society was formally incorporated on 21 June 1984, with building a traditional temple as its main aim.
According to the society's history, it bought 14.35 acres at Carrum Downs for $72,300 on 14 April 1985, chosen as virgin land in line with agamic guidance for Shiva temples. A bhoomi pooja followed in early 1986. Plans drawn with advice from Sthapati Nagarajan from India were checked for agamic validity by the Kanchi Mutt and Tirupati. Springvale Council issued the planning permit in January 1988, and foundation stones cut and blessed in India were laid on 5 June 1988.
Regular poojas began in a temporary shrine in 1990. A sthapati and eight artisans from India arrived in November 1992 to build the shrines, joined by six more in January 1994. The society also secured an interest-free loan from Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. After ten days of yagams led by priests from India, Sri Lanka and Australia, the Maha Kumbhabhishekam took place on 22 May 1994 before more than 5,000 devotees, and SBS covered the event.
The rajagopurams were consecrated on 25 May 1997. Reconsecrations (Punaravarthana Kumbhabhishekam) followed on 29 April 2007 and 12 April 2019. The Cultural and Heritage Centre, with a wedding hall, library, museum, classrooms and café, opened on 5 May 2012 with a $1 million Victorian Government grant. An Akshaya Patra annadanam hall opened in June 2022.
Architecture and sacred features
The temple is built in the South Indian Dravidian style, with granite and panchaloha images made by artisans in India. The original plan placed the Shiva and Vishnu shrines next to each other, each with a separate rajagopuram. Grouped around Shiva are Ambal, Ganapathy, Chandikeswarar and Subramaniam. Grouped around Vishnu are Mahalakshmi, Andal, Rama with Lakshmana and Sita, Gopalakrishna and Hanuman. There are also shrines for the Navagrahas, a kodimaram (flagstaff), Nandi and Garuda.
Later work extended the Navagraha and Hanuman shrines, added a Vasantha Mandapam and a space for the Alvars (Vaishnava saints) in 2007, and expanded the Ayyappa shrine and built a Chakrathazhvar–Narasimha shrine and yagasala in 2019.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
The temple opens daily with morning and evening sessions and a midday closure. Café Annapoorani in the Cultural and Heritage Centre keeps separate hours (as listed by the Hindu Society of Victoria, checked October 2026; confirm before travelling). Poojas, archanas and other services can be booked online or at the temple office.
As at other Hindu temples, remove footwear and dress modestly. Confirm current arrangements with the Hindu Society of Victoria before visiting, especially on major festival days, which the society says can draw more than 15,000 people.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Hindu Society of Victoria (Aust) Inc. (official website) before travelling. Last reviewed 5 October 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple Carrum Downs
New Year's Day Sahasra Kalasabhishekam and Sangabhishekam
A tradition peculiar to this temple: 1,008 kalasams for Vishnu and 1,008 conches for Shiva on New Year's Day, which the society says draws almost 10,000 devotees.
Brahmotsavam
The temple holds separate annual Brahmotsavams for both presiding deities, Shiva and Vishnu.
Skanda Shashti
Celebrated for Subramaniam (Murugan) since the temple's early years, according to the society.
Navaratri
Among the festivals the society has marked with special ceremonies since consecration. The HSV itself was founded on Vijaya Dasami in 1982.
Holi
First celebrated on the temple grounds in 1994. The Age (2004) said the temple was best known for its Holi and Diwali celebrations.
Deepavali
Celebrated on the temple site since the 1980s, before the temple was built, and one of its best-attended festivals.
Thai Pongal
Held on the site from the time of the 1986 bhoomi pooja, and the day in 1990 when the first images were installed in the temporary shrine.
Location
How to Reach Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple Carrum Downs
The temple is at 52 Boundary Road, Carrum Downs VIC 3201, in the City of Frankston, about 21 miles (roughly 34 km) south-east of Melbourne's city centre according to The Age. Carrum Downs has no railway station of its own; the nearest stations are on Metro Trains' Frankston line, with bus connections planned through Public Transport Victoria.
The nearest major airport is Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine), with Avalon Airport as an alternative. The temple has large car parks, extended in 2012 and again in 2021–22.
Location: Carrum Downs, Melbourne, City of Frankston, Victoria, Australia 3201
Nearest airport: Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine)
Nearest railway station: Frankston line stations (no station in Carrum Downs)
More in Hindu temples in Victoria · Shiva and Vishnu temples
Questions
Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple Carrum Downs: Frequently Asked Questions
When was Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple consecrated?
The Maha Kumbhabhishekam was held on 22 May 1994, after ten days of yagams. Its rajagopurams were consecrated on 25 May 1997, and reconsecrations followed in 2007 and 2019.
Why does the temple have two main deities?
The Hindu Society of Victoria decided to make Shiva and Vishnu joint presiding deities in adjacent shrines, so that Shaiva and Vaishnava devotees could worship together. Each has its own shrine, associated deities and rajagopuram.
Who runs the temple?
The Hindu Society of Victoria (Aust) Inc., founded in 1982 and incorporated in 1984. Its management committee of volunteers is elected by members each year.
Is it the largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere?
The Hindu Society of Victoria describes it that way, and The Age called it Victoria's largest Hindu temple. HinduTone has not found an independent measurement comparing it with other temples.
How do I get there without a car?
Carrum Downs has no train station. Take a Frankston line train and connect by bus, checking the Public Transport Victoria journey planner for current routes to Boundary Road.
Are there facilities beyond the temple?
Yes. The Cultural and Heritage Centre, opened in 2012, has a wedding hall, library, museum, classrooms and Café Annapoorani, and the Akshaya Patra hall serves annadanam.
What happens on New Year's Day?
The temple performs a Sahasra (1,008) Kalasabhishekam to Vishnu and a Sahasra Sangabhishekam to Shiva. The society says almost 10,000 devotees attend.
Sources and attribution
- Hindu Society of Victoria — Temple History – Hindu Society of Victoria: A Look Back at 40 Years
- Hindu Society of Victoria — About Us
- Hindu Society of Victoria — Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple – home page (opening hours, contact)
- Hinduism Today / Hindu Press International — Featured Temple: The Melbourne Shiva Vishnu Temple (from The Age, 7 May 2004)
- Office of Mark Dreyfus QC MP — Isaacs electorate – Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple (speech on the Cultural and Heritage Centre opening)
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