The Gayathri Peedam of South Africa, abode of Divine Mother, was established in September 1996 and operated from a small temple building on the residential property of Swami Shankarananda. The Gayathri Peedam was consecrated by Swami Murugesu Maharishi at its official opening in 1998 and has also been visited by numerous spiritual teachers including Pundit Munilal, Sri Haridas Acharya, Yogiar Ramaiah and Shibendu Lahiri. The Gayathri Peedam provides a spiritual haven where multi-denominational members of the community can congregate to worship, study the scriptures and practice yoga.