March 28, 2014: Devotees take part in a ceremony at the Shiva-Vishnu Temple in Livermore, which is open to visitors of all faiths.

Along a quiet neighbourhood street in Livermore, behind wrought iron gates and down a long tree-lined entry, stands a brilliant white temple, intricately carved in high relief.

Any Westerner whose curiosity has ever been aroused by Indian mythology or deities such as Ganesha, the remover of all obstacles, would be moved to see it.

Senior priest Monomohon Mukherjee calls the Shiva-Vishnu Temple one of the most popular temples of its kind in the United States, a must-see for any Hindu traveler to the Bay Area. And its ornate shrines and divine celebrations are open to all.

“American people come here and afterwards say, ‘This is fantastic,’ ” says Mukherjee. “They get the feelings and get the vibrations. Then it sparks an interest.”

In March, on the full moon of the Goddess Lakshmi’s birthday, SridharanPattachariyar is bathing a silver statue of Lakshmi in milk and honey while chanting sacred mantras. Pattachariyar is bare-chested, in a dhoti, and wearing beads of white, red, blue and gold. An elaborate figurine of Vishnu is being washed as well, this being the one day each year when the god visits Lakshmi in her home.

Regular rituals

The temple has 13 priests, many who have practiced here for 15 years after 12 or more years of training in India. Each priest focuses on a particular deity, embellishing the statues with garlands; decorating the shrines with fruit, spice and other colorful offerings; lighting incense; and performing regular rituals.

There are usually several ceremonies, or pujas, large and small happening at once. As Pattachariyar chants, there is a young family on the marble floor honoring their child as she takes her first bites of solid food – a porridge of rice, milk and sugar. Others entering the temple stop to give prayers to Ganesha, traditionally the first god a devotee honors.

Pleasanton resident Lou Beverino says the aim of the rituals is to “use the senses to direct the senses to focus on the divine.” He has been coming to the Shiva-Vishnu Temple for 16 years, and suggests newcomers “just follow along.”

“I’m probably one of the few Westerners that come on a regular basis,” says Beverino. “Unless you know what you’re looking for, you wouldn’t know it was here.” Once you find the temple, there are volunteers to answer questions, and there is a video showing 18 temple traditions that will help you get oriented.

It’s considered respectful to take off your shoes once you arrive. “That’s symbolic of leaving all your troubles in the shoe room,” says Beverino. “Then you wash away any remains (under the fountain). So when you come in here you are totally open to the divine.”

As he’s talking, a priest offers Beverino a giant bowl of tamarind rice to take home. The rice had earlier been offered to Shiva and now contained “the holy vibrations of the god.” Several delicious variations of rice, fruits, and sweets are offered to all guests and devotees each day.

Beverino says he had problems with anger before coming to temple, and credits active contemplation – of the pujas, the incense, the bells and the chanting – for clearing his mind and helping him connect with God.

Deity’s attributes

“It’s hard to relate to something that’s everywhere and in everything,” he says. “You can’t meditate on nothing. Through the ceremony and over time, you get some attributes of the deity you are worshiping.”

Susie and Peter Purdy are from New York, but have lived in India, and were in Livermore visiting relatives when they heard about the temple. Peter Purdy says everyone should feel welcome at the temple, regardless of their knowledge or background.

“It’s not all that different than going into a huge Catholic church,” he says. “You wouldn’t necessarily know the signs of the cross. Smell the incense and see the colors and wonder at all the mythological breadth of what you’re watching. It’s bound to leave you wanting more.”

If you go

Shiva-Vishnu Temple, Hindu Community and Cultural Centre: 1232 Arrowhead Ave. (near Goldenrod Drive), Livermore