Sri Siva Vishnu Temple 6905 Cipriano Road, Lanham MD Tel: (301) Fax: (301) Web Site:

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1 Newsletter Vol 26, No. 6 Sri Siva Vishnu Temple 6905 Cipriano Road, Lanham MD Tel: (301) Fax: (301) ssvt@ssvt.org Web Site: SIVA BRAHMOTSAVAM Saturday, June 3 to Wednesday, June 7, 2017 According to both Shaiva and Vaishnava Agamas, Brahmotsavam is considered to be the chief among the festivals conducted for the main deities of a temple. Legend says that Lord Brahma himself officiated the first utsavam to mitigate Indra s sins arising from a happenstance event. Since then, annual Brahmotsavams are carried out for both Slva and Vishnu to enable the devotees to wash away their sins and negativities. Even Lord Brahma and other Devas are said to visit such utsavams and bless the devotees. The word Brahma in Brahmotsavam, denotes the supreme Brahman - the absolute one. By performance of this Brahmotsavam, the Jeevaathmas reach the Supreme Brahman in the simplest way. The five-day annua1 event for Lord Siva starts on June 3rd followed by special pujas for Lord Siva every day. Siva Brahmotsavam concludes on Vaikasi Vishaaka nakshatrarn day this year (Wednesday, June 7), a special day for His Divine Son, Lord Subrahmanya. Saturday, June 3, 2017 Morning - 9:30 am to 12:00 noon Ganapathy Homam, Prasannabhishekam, Navagraha homam, Skanda Homam, Pashupathasthra Santhi Homam. Evening - 5:00 to 9:00 pm Vighneshwara Pooja, Deivanugnya, Pravesha Bali, Vasthu Santhi, Rakshoghna Homam, Mruthsangrahanam Sunday, June 4, 2017 Morning 9:30 am to 1 pm Beri Thaadanam, Devathaahwaanam, Nava Sandhi Aavaahanam, Santhi Abhisheka for the Utsava Murthy Evening - 5:30pm to 9:00 pm Ankuraarpanam, Rakshaabandanam, Yagashalaarchanam, Agni Kaaryam, Dikbali Vidhanam, Special Deeparadhana to Moola Murthy and Utsava Murthy, Yaga Veekshanyam, Utsava Murthy Pradakshina Monday, June 5, 2017 Morning - 9:30 to 1:00 pm / Evening 5:30 to 9 pm Special Abhisheka Aaradhana, Yagashala Pooja, Vishesha Homam,, Dik Bali Vidhanam, Special Deeparadhana to the Utsava Murthy, Yaga Veekshanyam, Utsava Murthy Pradakshina Tuesday, June 6, 2017 Morning - 9:30 to 1:00 pm / Evening 5:30 to 9 pm Special Abhisheka Aaradhana, Yagashala Pooja, Vishesha Homam, Dik Bali Vidhanam, Special Deeparadhana to the Utsava Murthy, Yaga Veekshanyam, Utsavar Pradakshina Wednesdy, June 7, 2017 Morning 9:30 am to 1 pm Yagasala Puja, Maha Poornahuthi, Special Abhishekam (Yaagalaya Yagnya Kalasaabhishekam) to Lord Ramanatha along with Utsava Murthi, Choornothsavam, Teerthothsavam, Raksha Visarjanam, Beri Thadanam, Nava Sandhi Devatha Visarjanam, Swami Pradakshina, Aacharyothsavam, Bhakthothsavam, Prasadam Distribution, Bhagavath Aasheerwadam, Aacharya Bhojanam. Sponsorship: One Day - $101; All Five Days - $501; One Abhishekam/ Homam - $25 June 2017 Vaikasi Vishakam Celebration Sunday June 11, 2017 During the month of Vaikasi (Vrishabam) the Nakshatram Vishakam generally falls on the full moon day. This day signifies the birth of Lord Subrahmanya, the second son of Lord Siva. Lord Subrahmanya was born with the mission of saving earth from demons such as Soorapadman. He emerged as 6 sparks from the third eye of Siva, and passing through sky, wind, fire and the waters of Ganga, reached earth, formless at first and finally acquiring form in a pond. That the Almighty comprises the five elements is demonstrated by the manifestation of Lord Subrahmanya. Lord Subrahmanya is also known by many names including as Vishaka, Senthil, Kumara, Shanmugam, Lord Karthikeya and fondly as Muruga. Lord Murugan has six faces and because of that He is also known as Lord Arumugam. Due to His six faces Lord Murugan can see in East, West, North, South, Heaven and Patala (netherworld) simultaneously. This year, Vaikasi Vishakam falls on Wednesday June 7. At SSVT, we will also have a Vaikasi Vishakam Celebration on Sunday June 11. This will also include the Paal Kudam (Kalasams filled with milk) procession around the temple prior to abhishekam. Those who would like to take the Kavadi can do so. The Utsava Murthy procession on the Mayura Vahanam will be done in the evening. Details are given below. 9:30 am Ganesha Puja, Subrahmanya Moola Mantra Homam 10:30 am Subrahmanya Abhishekam with 108 milk kalasams, Shashti Kavacham Recitation, Bhajans, Archana 1:30 pm Deeparadhana & Prasadam Distribution 6:30 p.m. Utsava Murthy Procession on the Mayura Vahanam Sponsorship: Homam $25, Milk Kalasam - $11; Kavadi - $25, Homam & Milk Kalasam - $35 For sponsorship and general donations please visit: If you would like to volunteer for the event please contact us at ssvt.muruga@gmail.com SAMVATSARA MAHOTSAVAM Sunday, June 25 - Tuesday, July 4, 2017 The Hindu Solar month of Mithuna (June 14 - July 15 this year) is very special in the history of our temple. It is in this month that many important milestones were reached like the Baalaalaya Prathishta, Bhoomi Puja, Prathistapana Kumbhabhishekams for the main Deities and more recently the Rajagopura and Jeernodhaarana Kumbhabhishekams. Hence in keeping with the tradition, the temple will be celebrating the Samvatsara Mahotsavam from Sunday June 25 through Tuesday July 4. To compensate for the acts of omissions and commissions during the year and to rejuvenate the spirit of devotion and service in the minds of devotees such festivals are conducted in temples annually. During this annual ten-day festival, there will be special Pujas to every Deity including special Homams, Abhishekams and Kalyana Utsavams. Devotees are requested to participate in these Pujas, especially in the Pujas to their favorite Deity (Ishta Devata) in large numbers, extend their generous physical, financial and moral support as they have done in the past and make this festival a grand success. (Continued on page 3) 1

2 June 2017 Thu 1 10:00 AM Andal abhishekam (Purva Phalguni) Fri 2 10:00 AM Parvati Abhishekam 10:00 AM Ayyppa Puja (Uttara Phalguni) Sat 3 9:30 AM Siva Brahmotsavam Begins (See Details) 4:00 PM Srinivasa Kalyanam Sun 4 4:00 PM Ananthapadmanabha Abhishekam (Ekadasi) Tue 6 9:30 AM Sudarsana / Yoga Nrsimha Homam & Abhishekam (Swati) 7:00 PM Siva Abhishekam (Pradosham) Wed 7 9:30 AM Subrahmanya Homam and Abhishekam (Vaikasi Visakham) 9:30 AM Siva Brahmotsavam Concludes Thu 8 7:00 PM Satyanarayana Puja Fri 9 10:00 AM Durga Abhishekam Sat 10 4:00 PM Anjaneya Abhishekam (Moola) Sun 11 9:30 AM Vaikasi Visakham Celebration (See Details) Mon 12 9:30 AM Ganesha Homam (Sankatahara Chaturthi) 7:00 PM Ganesha Abhishekam (Sankatahara Chaturthi) Tue 13 10:00 AM Utsava Srinivasa Abhishekam (Shravana) Thu 15 10:00 AM Subrahmanya Abhishekam (Sashti) Fri 16 10:00 AM Mahalakshmi Abhishekam 7:15 PM Bhagavati seva Sun 18 10:00 AM Ayyappa Puja Tue 20 7:00 PM Ananthapadmanabha Abhishekam (Ekadasi) Wed 21 10:00 AM Utsava Subramanya abhishekam (Kriitika) 7:00 PM Siva Abhishekam (Pradosham) Thu 22 10:00 AM Krishna Abhishekam (Rohini) Fri 23 10:00 AM Sarada Abhishekam Sun 25 9:30 AM Samvatsara Mahotsavam Begins (See Details) 9:30 AM Navagraha Homam & Abhishekam 10:00 AM Rama Abhishekam (Punarvasu) Tue 27 9:30 AM Ganesha Homam & Abhishekam (Chaturthi) Thu 29 10:00 AM Nataraja Abhishekam (Ani Tirumanjanam) 10:00 AM Andal Abhishekam (Purvaphalguni) 10:30 AM Subrahmanya Abhishekam (Sashti) Fri 30 10:00 AM Ayyappa Puja (Uttara Phalguni) 10:00 AM Parvati Abhishekam RELIGIOUS CALENDAR SSVT Mini Bazaar Saturday June 24 th :00 AM to 7:00 PM! ADMISSION FREE (Tickets for Food Only) Delicacies like Masala Dosa, Mirchi Bajji, Bhel Puri, Puri Chole, & Ice Cream Vendors for Sarees, Jewelry, and Clothing Light Music & Dance Performances in the auditorium 1:00 PM For further information contact Manager: Event Contact: Anu Iyer: Vijaya Reddy: July 2017 Sat 1 4:00 PM Srinivasa Kalyanam Sun 2 8:00 AM Sudarsana Jayanti (See Details) Mon 3 9:30 AM Sudarsana / Yoga Narasimha Utsava Moorthy Abhishekam (Swati) Tue 4 9:30 AM Samvatsara Mahotsavam Concludes (See Details) 10:00 AM Utsava Subramanya Abhishekam (Visakha) 4:00 PM Ananthapadmanabha Abhishekam (Ekadasi) Thu 6 7:00 PM Siva Abhishekam (Pradosham) Fri 7 10:00 AM Anjaneya Abhishekam (Moola) 10:00 AM Durga Abhishekam Sat 8 4:00 PM Visesha Satyanarayana Puja (Guru Poornima) Tue 11 10:00 AM Utsava Srinivasa Abhishekam (Shravana) Wed 12 9:30 AM Ganapathy Homam (Sankatahara Chaturthi) 7:00 PM Ganesha Abhishekam (Sankatahara Chaturthi) Fri 14 10:00 AM Subramanya Abhishekam (Sashti) 10:00 AM Mahalakshmi Abhishekam Sun 16 10:00 AM Ayyappa Puja 7:15 PM Baghavathi Seva [Daily till Aug 15] Rest of July in the next newsletter DAILY & WEEKLY ABHISHEKAMS Daily Abhishekams Daily: 9:30 AM Ayyappa, Anantha Padmanabha 10:00 AM Siva Weekly Abhishekams Monday: 9:30 AM Ganesha, Sri Rama Tuesday: 9:30 AM Durga, Anjaneya Wednesday: 9:30 AM Andal, Sarada, Navagrahas Thursday: 9:30 AM Krishna, Subrahmanya Friday: 9:30 AM Mahalakshmi, Parvati, Sudarsana/Yoga Narasimha Saturday: 10:15 AM Venkateswara Temple Hours: Monday through Friday: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM (except for special events); Saturday, Sunday, & Holidays: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM BUY EARLY AND SAVE! DISCOUNT BOOK OF $6 FOR $5 Available at Temple Manager s Office and front desk AMPLE PARKING AT THE NEW PARKING LOT 2

3 (Continued from page 1) SAMVATSARA MAHOTSAVAM Sunday, June 25 - Tuesday, July 4, 2017 Daily Program Sunday, June 25, :30 AM Ganesha Puja, Anugnay, Dwaja Aarohanam, Ankurarpanam Rakshabandanam 9:30 AM Ganapathy Homam, Navagraha Homam & Abhishekam 10:00 AM Rama Abhishekam Monday, June 26, :30 AM Sankshepa Ramayana Homam 9:30 AM Ganesha Abhishekam 5:30 PM Ganesha, Siva and Rama Sahasranama Tuesday, June 27, :30 AM Ganesha Homam and Abhishekam 9:30 AM Durga, Anjaneya Abhishekam 5:30 PM Durga, Anjaneya, Subrahmanya Sahasranamam 8:00 PM Anjaneya Aradhana, Hanuman Chalisa Wednesday, June28, :30 AM Medha Sukta Homam 10:30 AM Sarada, Andal and Navagraha Abhishekam 5:30 PM Andal, Padmanabha, Ayyappa Sahsranama Thursday, June 29, :30 AM Subrahmanya Moola Mantra Homam and Abhishekam 10:00 AM Nataraja and Krishna Abhishekam 5:30 PM Sarada, Venkateswara and Krishna Sahasranama Friday, June 30, :30 AM Lalitha Sahasranama Homam and Parvathi Abhishekam 9:30 AM Lakshmi, Sudarshana Abhishekam 7:15 PM Lalitha Sahasranama Parayanam 8:00 PM Lakshmi Puja Saturday, July 1, :00 AM Venkateswara Suprabhatam 9:30 AM Ashtakshara Moola Mantra Homam 9:30 AM AnanthaPadmanabha Abhishekam 10:00 AM Siva Abhishekam 10:15 AM Venkateswara Abhishekam 4:00 PM Srinivasa Kalyanam Sunday, July 2, :00 AM Sudrasana Jayanti, (see details) 9:30 AM Ganesha Puja, Rudra Homam 10:30 AM Siva Abhishekam 7:00 PM Ayyappa Padi Puja Monday, July 3, :30 AM Mahaganapathi Homam and Abhishekam 5:30 PM Ganesha, Rama and Siva Sahasranamam Tuesday, July 4, :30 AM Kalyana utsavams for Siva, Subrahmanya and Srinivasa 12:00 PM Rathotsavam, Visesha harathi, Acharya Sambhavana, Dwaja Avarohanam, prasadam Distribution Sponsorship: $ 15 per Sahasranama Archana; $ 25 per Homam or Abhishekam or any Kalyanam $ 51 for all Pujas for a Deity; $ 101 per day Puja $ 501 for the entire Samvatsara Mahotsavam Sudarsana Jayanti Sunday, July 2, 2017 Sudarshana, the holy discus (wheel) in the hands of Lord Narayana (Vishnu), is the embodiment of the power of Lord Vishnu in destroying the evil and protecting the righteous as he took the shape of the claws in Narasimha Avataram, arrows in Rama Avataram, axe in Parasurama Avataram and Chakra (wheel) in Krishna Avataram. Hence the worship of Sudarshana as a devata (deity) is extolled in Vaishnava agama Sastras. Worship of Sudarshana bestows good knowledge and good faculties as the syllable Su stands for Good and Darshana for Vision. SSVT will be conducting a grand Sudarshana homam followed by an abhishekam in the evening, to enable devotees to obtain all the beneficial effects of the worship of Lord Sudarshana. 8:00 AM Suprabhatam, Dhaama Pradakshanam, Viswaksena Aradhana, Sri Bhagavad Vaasudeva Punyahavachanam, Agni Prathishta, Sudarsana Sathaka Homam, 4:00 PM Mahasudarshana & Yoga Narasimha Abhishekam, Alankaram, Sudarshanashtaka Parayanam, Archana, Sengolam, Saathumurai Seva, Maha Mangala Arathi, Theertha Prasada Viniyogam Sponsorship: $51 Volunteering at DC Central Kitchen Saturday, June 17, 2017 from 8:45 AM - 1:00 PM Sri Siva Vishnu Temple has been preparing and donating balanced vegetarian meals to homeless at DC Central Kitchen from The eleventh anniversary is on June 17. So far we have donated more than 50,000 meals. Following the SSVT initiative now there are 25 groups representing the Hindu community donating 125,000 meals in a year. Hindu American Community Service Inc. has been co-ordinating these events. We request the volunteers to register with to volunteer on Saturday June 17 from 8:45 am to 1 PM. The groceries cost approximately $2,800. Any donation to SSVT for the annadhanam is welcome. Note: Volunteers don t need cooking or food service experience. DC Central Kitchen Address: 425 2nd St, NW, Washington, DC

4 International Yoga Day Curtain Raiser Event Saturday, June 10, 2017 from 11 AM - 1:00 PM SSVT in association with Indian Embassy and partner organizations Heartfulness Institute, Art of Living foundation, Isha foundation, Life in Yoga foundation and SSVT Yoga group is doing a International Yoga Day curtain raiser event in the auditorium on June 10th from 11 AM - 1PM. This event will raise awareness of the International Yoga day celebrations on 17th June from 8:30 AM - 11 AM at Sylvan Theater next to Washington Monument. The event consists of demonstrations of Yoga, Pranayama and meditation techniques from these organizations. Attendees will get awareness of the Diverse Yoga traditions that focus on different aspects of yoga. People are encouraged to bring their yoga mats. International Yoga Day Saturday, June 17, 2017 from 8:30 AM - 11AM At Sylvan Theater next to Washington Monument Sri Siva Vishnu Temple 6905 Cipriano Road, Lanham MD Tel: (301) Fax: (301) ssvt@ssvt.org Web Site: SSVT Cultural Committee presents GRAND CARNATIC MUSIC CONCERT BY Smt. Raji Gopalakrishnan (Vocal) Kamalakiran Vinjamuri (Violin) Vijay Ganesh (Mrudangam) Samyuktha Sreeram (Ghatam) ADMISSION: FREE DONATIONS: WELCOME Date: Sunday, 4 th June 2017 Time: 4:30 PM 7:30 PM at SSVT Smt Raji Gopalakrishnan is a leading musician from Chennai. She holds a Diploma in Vocal Carnatic Music from Krishna Music Academy, Mumbai. She was trained by Smt. T.R. Balamani and late Sangeetha Kalanidhi Shri T.M. Thyagarajan. Raji is an A Grade Artist at A.I.R Madras. She was awarded the Gold Medal by the Music Academy, Chennai, for rendering the best Ragam Thanam Pallavi during the music season of Also, she has been adjudged as outstanding lady vocalist for the years 2002, 2003, and 2004 by the Music Academy, Chennai. She was awarded the title "Suswara Sukhalaya" in the year 2003.Raji has been conducting advanced music workshops since 2001 in Toronto, Canada. Kamalakiran Vinjamuri is a child prodigy from Virginia. His father Sri.Subhash Vinjamuri, a violinist himself, started teaching him violin at the age of 7. He is currently under the tutelage of Kalaimamani A. Kanyakumari. He has won several prizes both in India as well as in the US. In December 2010 and 2013 music seasons, Kamalakiran got the Best Performer Award from Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha, Chennai. He has been performing in all major sabhas in India since In 2014 Spirit of Youth series, Kamalakiran was selected as the best violinist at the Music Academy. Kamalakiran has accompanied many senior artists both in the US, and in India. He is currently a Junior at George Mason University, VA. Vijay Ganesh began learning the mridangam from the age of 6. He had his tutelage under the great and illustrious master, Vidwan late Sri.Kumbakonam Rajappa Iyer. Vijay Ganesh has established himself as a leading Mridangam player, and has performed extensively in music festivals in India, USA and Canada. He has accompanied many leading artistes including musicians of the Hindustani stream. He has won several awards which include Best Mridangist award from Music Academy in 1999, Best Mridangist award from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha in 1998, Government of India Cultural Scholarship for Mridangam from 1995 to 1999 and several other prizes from various sabhas in Chennai. He is an AIR graded artist. Samyuktha Sreeram is a talented young 9th grader at Briar Woods High School in Virginia. She learns ghatam percussion from Sangeetha Kala Acharya Sri TH Subash Chandran and vocal music from Kalaimamani Smt. Charumathi Ramachandran. She has participated in various music festivals and accompanied concerts in US and Chennai. Samyu has also won awards at Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana and recently, from the VVSF Foundation in Chennai. For further information and to get updates for cultural events, contact: SSVT Cultural: cultural.ssvt@gmail.com HIS LIFE AND TIMES - Celebrating the 250th Birth Centenary of the Saint Composer Thyagaraja Saturday June 10, PM 7 PM at SSVT Admission Free; Donations Welcome SSVT Cultural Committee Invites All Music Lovers and Devotees to a LEC/ DEM by Noted Historian and Musicologist Sri V. Sriram Venkatakrishnan Sriram (born 22 June 1966) is an Indian entrepreneur, columnist, music historian and heritage activist who is known for his books on the history of Chennai, Carnatic music and Chennai theatre. Sriram studied engineering at the College of Engineering, Delhi and obtained an MBA from the Delhi University in Sriram started writing on the history of Madras from the mid-1990s. In total, Sriram has authored over ten books and is a regular columnist for The Hindu for whom he pens a column titled Hidden Histories. He was also one of the founders and principal organisers of Madras Day celebrations in the city, INTACH convenor for the Chennai region and editor of Madras Musings newspaper. For further information and to get updates for cultural events, contact: SSVT Cultural: cultural.ssvt@gmail.com 4

5 Program SSVT EDUCATION PROGRAMS Learn More about Your Roots & Culture Balavidyalayam Children s Educational Program - 10am 11:30am: Dr. Aparna Ramaswamy Using a strong program built on Samskritha verses, Indian mythology, bhajans, dance, kolam art & games, teachers inspire students to inquire into their cultural & social relevance. Balavidyalayam educates children over 5 years of age about Hindu practices, teaching how to incorporate concepts of dharma and truth in their everyday life in the US. Please enroll your student for classes at Bhagavad Geeta Classes for Adults with Guided Meditation - 9:15am 10:30am: Shri. Vijay Kumar The Bhagavad Gita is a doctrine of universal truth. It is a part of the scriptural trinity of Sanatana Dharma. The Gita deals with the most sacred metaphysical science as it imparts the knowledge of the self and answers two universal questions: Who am I? How can I lead a happy and peaceful life in this world of dualities? Bhagavatam for Adults - 3:30pm 5pm: Dr. Thaila Ramanathan Bhagavatam is considered the purnaana tilakam, vaishnavaanaam dhanam, bhkti, jnaana, vairaaghya pradaayakam. The pancama skandham in the Bharata Rahoogana Savaadam is presently discussed in class, along with word by word meaning, its explanation and significance. Upanishads for Adults - 2nd 12pm 1:30pm: Dr. Pradeep Kamath All ten principal Upanishads - isha, kena, katha, taittiriiya, aitareya, mundaka, maandukya, prashna, chaandogya and brhdaaranyaka are considered from different perspectives. When discussing a Upanishad, often related verses are invoked - from the Bhagavad-Giita, and sometimes even the aphorisms from the Brahma Suutras. After each session, written material is provided to all attendees. Sri Rudram Classes - 12pm 1pm : Shri. Ananth Krishnan Please download or print Sri Rudram pdf files, available in English, Kannada, Malayalam, Samskritham, Tamil, and Telugu at and bring to the class. Weekend Yoga - 7:30am 10:30am: Dr. Rajan Narayanan While traditionally yoga is thought as an art and philosophy of the nature of existence and connecting with the source of all, recent development of science in the area of coherence of matter makes yoga measurable and scientific as well. Our Saturday sessions brings this regular practice that is accessible to all: young and old, healthy or otherwise. Please walk-in any Saturday. No prior reservation is needed. The practices are gentle in nature within the capacity of most individuals. It consists of physical, breath, sound vibrations, affirmations and meditative observation. Midweek Yoga - 6:30pm 8pm: Shri Sabnis This is gentle yoga class for all levels and age groups with modifications for advanced practitioners. The class includes asana-s of all types; forward bend, backward bend, twist, balancing, strengthening, inversions etc. Also included are powerful breathing techniques, energy center cleansing techniques, relaxation, and mantra chanting for spiritual growth. The class is taught by a certified yoga teacher. Spoken Samskritham - 10:30am 12pm: Smt. Savithri Devaraj This is a beginners-level class where no prior knowledge of Samskritham is required, although knowledge of any Indian language will help SAT Class - 1st & 3rd 3pm 5pm: Shri. Chandra Sekaran Meets every month on the 1st and 3rd Sundays. Students are encouraged to sign-up for guidance on SAT preparation. Classes are organized into two semesters: September - January and February - June. Robotics & Computer Programming Mon & 6pm: Shri. Vijay Kowtha This class is designed for teenage students and covers computer programming (Python, C, and Java), mechanical toolkit training, and concepts of electrical engineering. Classes are taught by professionals and college students. Please contact us to know of upcoming events, science café lectures, and to enroll in classes. Tripura Rahasya - 2nd 2pm: Shri. Kavi Rao Vajjhala Tripura Rahasya is a secret doctrine that describes several stories of the manifestation of the Universal divine mother, as disclosed to Dattatreya. The shloka-s are in Sanskrit, and their meanings are translated into English for the benefit of all the listeners. The next class meets on March 12th and students will be informed of future meetings in class. Devotional Bhajan Classes for Adults - Sunday 12 noon - 1 pm Smt. Prabha Maruvada Devotional songs, bhajans, Shloka-s set to melodic tunes, songs on religious festivals and deities, light music and much more. Childrens classes offered periodically - information provided in class. ALL EDUCATION CLASSES ARE FREE. Contact information for all education programs: education@ssvt.org Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Bhajans at SSVT Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Bhajans will be held at SSVT every First Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. To participate or for more information please contact: Shobha Prasad ; Sridevi Umesh ; Srini Tirumalasetti ; Rohini Homnappa ; Sujatha Badrinath SSVT SENIOR CITIZENS MEET UP The SSVT Senior Citizens Group meets twice a month on the second and fourth Wednesday in the Education room from 11 am to 1 pm followed by a potluck lunch in the cafeteria. We invite all seniors 55+ to join us at the meetings and share our seniors-related common interests. We invite speakers from within and outside the group to talk on topics of interest to senior citizens, such as those related to health, religion, finance, legal matters. vacation travel, etc. We also hold programs such as music & comedy, picnics and bus trips which would help promote social interaction between members of the group. For more information please contact: Sudarshan Gupta at or Sudarshan_gupta@yahoo.com, Satish Bhandari at or seniorcitizensgroup@ gmail.com, Sharan Prasad at or prasadsharan@ymail.com, Ramesh Godbole at or rameshgodbole@yahoo.com. SSVT COMMUNITY SERVICE Homeless SEVA, Sandwich Program, Second Saturdays, 2017 Each month, on the 2nd Saturday, volunteers make sandwiches for the homeless. Every time, roughly about 1500 sandwiches are prepared and delivered to Martha s Table, a DC shelter. SSVT encourages all devotees especially youth to participate in the program. Please be at the Temple at 10:30 am. Devotees can sponsor this program by donating $175 to SSVT. For additional information, please send to Jaithm@gmail.com, Tribhuvannath Mishra, Contact Phone number

6 UPCOMING CULTURAL EVENTS Date & Time Event / Artist Venue & Admission Fee Sunday, June 04, :30 PM 7:30 PM SSVT Auditorium Admission Free Donations welcome See Flyer/ web for details Saturday, June 10, PM 7 PM Saturday, June 17, 2017 & Sunday, June 18, 2017 Both Days 9 AM 9 PM SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, October 08, 2017 Shrikant Sabnis Grand Vocal Concert Smt Raji Gopalakrishnan Kamalakiran Vinjamuri Violin Vijay Ganesh Mrudangam Samyuktha Sriram - Ghatam 250th Birth Anniversary of Saint Thyagaraja Memorial Lecture V. Sriram DC Music Youth Festival Next Gen Program Various Performers SSVT Mahotsav Fundraiser Concert Sanjay Subramaniam SSVT Auditorium Admission Free Donations Welcome SSVT Auditorium Admission Free, Donations Welcome See Flyer/ web for details Eleanor Roosevelt School, MD Ticketed Includes Dinner More Details Later Spotlight on our Teachers in the Education Programs (Spotlight on our teachers in the Education Programs) Mid-Week Yoga; Tripura Rahasya; Samskritam Shrikant Sabnis is a 200 RYT - certified yoga teacher with over 500 hours of yoga teacher training. He has been practicing yoga for over 15 years and has taught yoga at SSVT for the last six years. He has practiced, trained, and taught at Life in Yoga Institute, One Aum Yoga Center, and Bikram Yoga Rockville. He has also learned other related techniques such as Art of Living Sudarshan Kriya, Vipassana, and 3 Step Rhythmic Breathing. Weekly, he teaches seven free yoga classes for the community. Opportunity to help the community, enjoying the lively company of the group, and observing the progress of the yoga students are the most satisfying aspects of yoga teaching from his perspective. His other interests and activities include spending time with grand kids, Chess, and Racquetball. Shri teaches midweek yoga on 6:30pm at SSVT. Kavi Rao Vajjhala Kavi Rao Vajjhala teaches Tripura Rahasya at SSVT on select Sundays at 2pm. A civil engineer turned property manager by profession, he was introduced to Chamundi Homam and Durga abhishekam at the SSVT in He has continued the tradition ever since. He was blessed with a copy of the Gnyana khanda that led to revelation of Tripura and Her secrets as a follow-up of Mahatmya khanda, This book is published by Ramanamaharshi ashram and can be downloaded via Google, The secrets are interestingly revealed of Supreme consciousness as Maha sakthi of which we all are possessed. He feels obligated to share Tripura Rahasya as a sadhak and not as a teacher. Smt Savithri Devaraj Smt Savithri Devaraj is a technologist by education and profession, but a teacher at heart. She has learnt Samskritam from several noted teachers in India and America. Currently,at Samskrita Bharathi, she has been learning Bhagavad Gita and Nyaya Shastram (Science of metaphysics and ontology where knowledge and instruments of learning are examined) in Samskritam. In keeping with the saying lé ÌWû ÉÉlÉålÉ xé zéç méìué ÉÍqÉWû ÌuÉSèrÉiÉå (there is nothing as purifying as knowledge), she has taught Chinmaya Mission Sunday balavihar classes in Vedanta and Sanatana dharma for several years at Silver Spring, MD. She has taught elementary and middle school kids Science and Math and volunteered in several county programs for STEM education. She continues to nurture Girls in STEM education to this day. She considers Swarup Bhai (from whom she is currently learning) as her inspiration to teach Samskritam and spread the knowledge and beauty of our ancient thought in the temple. SRI SIVA VISHNU TEMPLE 6905 Cipriano Road Lanham, MD Non Profit U.S. Postage Paid Permit #6038 Suburban, MD