Newsletter Vol 26, No. 3 Sri Siva Vishnu Temple 6905 Cipriano Road, Lanham MD 20706 Tel: (301) 552-3335 Fax: (301) 552-1204 E-Mail: ssvt@ssvt.org Web Site: http://www.ssvt.org SARPABALI Thursday, March 9, 2017 Sarpabali is the worship of 55 divine snakes (including Siva s Vasuki and Vishnu s Adisesha) to ward off the bad effects of Sarpa Dosha, to help mitigate and eradicate the problems of skin diseases, to help people in search of life partners find suitable spouses, for progeny (Putra Bhaagyam) and for the overall well-being of all. (Sarpa Dosha may be present due to harm done to snakes and other reptiles in the past births and due to other causes. Sarpa Dosha is recognized when all the other grahas in one s horoscope lie between Raahu and Ketu. Sarpa Dosha is often a reason for late marriages). Turmeric powder, rice, milk, coconuts, fruits and flowers are the ingredients generally brought by devotees for Sarpabali. For the ingredients to be included in the Puja, they must be given to the priest before the Puja starts. Sankalpam for the Puja (when devotees can mention to the priest the problems to be overcome or desires to be fulfilled) will begin at 6:30 pm. Sarpabali Puja will be performed in the Kerala Tantric style from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Sponsorship: $35 Karadayan Nombu Tuesday, March 14, 2017 Karadaiyan Nombu, or Savitri Vratham, is a Tamil observance in which married woman prays for the well-being and long life of her husband. Karadaiyan Nombu date is March 14, 2017 and time of breaking of fast and to wear Saradu is 8:06 a.m.. It is observed on the particular day when the transition between the Tamil months Maasi and Panguni takes place. Karadai is the name of a unique neivedya (holy offering) prepared on this day. Nombu means Vratam or upavasam (fast). UGADI DAY (Hevilambi Nama Samvatsara) Tuesday, March 28, 2017 Ugadi marks the beginning of a New Year for several Hindu communities including Kannada, Telugu and Marathi communities. Ugadi is based on the lunar calendar and hence its occurrence may vary from year to year compared to the solar calendar. It is common to listen to the reading of the Panchangam that day so that one may mitigate the negative results and increase the prosperity that may be in store for the year ahead. It is also a tradition in Andhra Pradesh to eat a preparation that is made of sweet, sour, bitter, and hot ingredients to signify that life is a mixture of good and bad times and that one must face them with equanimity. 9:00 am MahaGanapati Homam, Utsava Ganesha & Utsava Srinivasa Abhishekam, Siva, Anantapadmanabha Abhishekam 7:00 pm Vishesha Arati to all Deities, Panchanga Patanam (Reading the Almanac) UGADI Celebration Saturday, April 1, 2017 7:00 am Suprabatham, MahaGanapati Homam & Devi Pancha Sukta Homam 7:30 am Ananthapadmanabha, Ayyappa, & Ganesha Abhishekams 8:00 am Siva Abhishekam 7:45 am Venkateswara Abhishekam, Vishnu Sahasranama Parayanam, Archana, Deeparadhana 10:15 am Panchanga Patanam (Almanac Reading), Srinivasa Kalyana Utsavam 1:00 pm Prasadam Distribution 2:00 pm Special Cultural Program 5:00 pm Soundarya Lahari Recitation by devotees Sponsorship: One Abhishekam $25 One Homam $25 Kalyana Utsavam $35 All the Pujas $51 To serve the devotees better Car pujas will be performed after 2 pm on this day Vasantha Navaratri Tuesday, March 28 Tuesday, April 4, 2017 March 2017 Navaratris are important festival days for Devi (the Divine Mother). The Goddess who appears in the terrible form (to destroy our sins) in autumn, appears in a peaceful and benevolent form in the spring. Hence by worshiping Her during the two Navaratris one destroys one s sins and begets peace and prosperity. DAILY PROGRAM: 11:00 am Trishathi Archana, Durga Sapta Shati Parayanam (4 PM on Saturday, April 1 and 7 AM on Sunday, April 2 (as part of the Chandi Homam Parayanam) 7:15 pm Lalitha Sahasranama Archana,Deeparadhana, Mahishasura Mardini Stotram, Devi Namaskaram (Evening Puja will begin at 6:00 PM on Saturday April 1 and Sunday April 2) 8:30 pm Prasadam distribution (Please note that there is no Evening Puja on the Concluding Day, Tuesday, April 4) SPECIAL PUJAS: Tuesday, March 28, 2017 9:30 am MahaGanapati Homam & Devi Moola Mantra Homam, Raksha Bandhanam, Mritsangrahanam, Ankooraarpanam, Purvanga Puja, Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati Aavaahanam 10:30 am Durga Abhishekam Wednesday, March 29, 2017 9:30 am Bhoo Sutha Homam 10:30 am Andal and Sarada Abhishekam Thursday, March 30, 2017 9:30 am Durga Suktha Homam, 10:30 am Durga Abhishekam Friday, March 31, 2017 9:30 am Sri Suktha Homam 10:30 am Lakshmi and Parvati Abhishekam Saturday, April 1, 2017 9:30 am Medha Suktha Homam 10:30 am Sarada Abhishekam Sunday, April 2, 2017 7:00 am Chandi Homam 10:30 am Kanya, Suhasini and Bhairava Puja 12:00 N Durga Abhishekam Monday, April 3, 2017 9:30 am Lalitha Sahasranama Homam 10:30 am Parvati Abhishekam Tuesday, April 4, 2017 9:30 am Devi Pancha Suktha Homam 10:30 am Abhishekam to Durga, Lakshmi and Sarada Sponsorship: Sahasranama Archana $15 Any One Homam or Abhishekam $25 Chandi Homam $25; One day s Puja $35; One day Sapta Shati Parayanam $ 25 1
March 2017 Wed 1 9:30 AM Ganesha Homam and Abhishekam (Chaturthi) Fri 3 10:00 AM Subrahmanya Abhishekam (Sashti) 10:00 AM Sarada Abhishekam Sat 4 10:00 AM Utsava Subrahmanya Abhishekam (Krittika) 4:00 PM Srinivasa Kalyanam Sun 5 10:00 AM Krishna Abhishekam (Rohini) Wed 8 11:00 AM Rama Abhishekam (Punarvasu) 7:00 PM Ananthapadmanabha Abhishekam (Ekadasi) Thu 9 7:00 PM Siva Abhishekam (Mahapradosham) 7:00 PM Sarpabali (see details) Fri 10 10:00 AM Siva Abhishekam - Maasi Magham 10:00 AM Nataraja Abhishekam 10:00 AM Parvathi Abhishekam Sat 11 4:00 PM Visesha Satyanarayana Puja Sun 12 10:00 AM Andal Abhishekam (Poorvaphalguni) Mon 13 9:30 AM Ayyappa Puja (Uttaraphalguni) Tue 14 8:06 AM Karadayan Nombu (see details) Wed 15 9:30 AM Ganesha Homam (Sankatahara Chaturthi) 7:00 PM Ganesha Abhishekam (Sankatahara Chaturthi) Thu 16 9:30 AM Sudarsana Yoga Narasimha Homam & Abhishekam (Swati) Fri 17 10:00 AM Utsava Subrahmanya Abhishekam (Visakha) 10:00 AM Durga Abhishekam 7:15 PM Bhagawati Seva Sat 18 4:00 PM Subrahmanya abhishekam (Sashti) Sun 19 9:30 AM Ayyappa Puja Mon 20 10:00 AM Anjaneya Abhishekam (Moola) Thu 23 10:00 AM Utsava Srinivasa Abhishekam (Sravana) 7:00 PM Ananthapadmanabha Abhishekam (Ekadasi) Sat 25 3:15 PM Siva Abhishekam (Sani Maha Pradosham) 12:00 N Tulsi Ramayan Pararayan Begins Sun 26 9:30 AM Navagraha Homam & Abhishekam Tue 28 12:00 N Tulsi Ramayan Parayan concludes Vasantha Navaratri Begins (See Details) Uagadi (See Details) Fri 31 9:30 AM Ganapathi Homam & Abhishekam (Sukhla Chaturthi) 10:00 AM Utsava Subrahmanya Abhishekam (Krittika) RELIGIOUS CALENDAR April 2017 Sat 1 7:00 AM Ugadi Celebration (See Details) 10:00 AM Krishna Abhishekam (Rohini) 4:00 PM Subrahmanya Abhishekam (Sashti) Sun 2 7:00 AM Chandi Homam Tue 4 9:30 AM Sri Rama Navami Day & Festival Begins (See Details) (Punarvasu) 9:30 AM Vasantha Navaratri Concludes Thu 6 7:00 PM Anantha Padmanabha Abhishekam (Ekadasi) Fri 7 10:00 AM Parvati Abhishekam Sat 8 9:30 AM Andal Abhishekam (Poorva Phalguni) 11:00 AM Sita Rama Kalyanam 3:15 PM Siva Abhishekam (Sani Maha Pradosham) Sun 9 9:30 AM Panguni Uttiram Day & Celebration (See Details) (Uttara Phalguni) Mon 10 7:00 PM Satyanarayana Puja (Chitra Poornima) Wed 12 9:30 AM Sudarsana Yoga Narasimha Homam & Abhishekam (Swati) Sri Rama Navami Festival Concludes Thu 13 9:00 AM Tamil & Tulu New Year Vishu Kani (See Details) 10:00 AM Utsava Subrahmanya Abhishekam (Visakha) Fri 14 9:30 AM Ganesha Homam (Sankatahara Chaturthi) 7:00 PM Ganesha Abhishekam (Sankatahara Chaturthi) Rest of April 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 SRI ANNAMACHARYA-SRI RAMADASU FESTIVAL 2017 Saturday, March 25, 2017 9:00 am to 9:00 pm MAIN CONCERT 5:30-8:00 pm By Sri Vishnudev Namboothiri Accompanied by L. Ramakrishna(Violin), Trivendrum V. Balaji (Mrudangam) Grand Finale followed by Annadanam Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya Sri M Balamurali Krishna Sri Bhadrachala Ramadasu TWO DAYS CELEBRATIONS with: Brundagaanam, Music, Dance, Mini-Concerts, Navaratna Malika, Instrumental Medley and Main Concerts. Donations welcome - Please make check to SSVT Sri Annamacharya-Ramadasu Festival Managing Team (Prabha Maruvada, Dr. Ramakrishna Rao, Indira Kalvakolanu, Raghu Pantula, and Krishna Vishnuvajjhala) For details and Registration - E-Mail annamayya.ssvt@gmail.com <Click Here> 2017-Registration Form (Registrations close on March 19) NOTE: Navaratna Malika group will be trained by Smt. Pavani and Sri Srikanth Mallajosyula at SSVT on these dates: Feb 25th. Mar 4th and Mar 11th Open to All Sunday, March 26, 2017 10:00 am to 6:00 pm MAIN CONCERT 4:30-6:00 pm By Sri Srikanth Mallajosyula Accompanied by Smt Pavani Mallajosyula (Violin), Srinivas Venupuri (Mridangam), Sowmiya Narayanan (Ghatam) 2
Sri Rama Navami Festival Tuesday, April 4 Wednesday, April 12, 2017 Panguni Uttiram (Meena Uttaraphalguni) & Mahalakshmi Jayanti Sunday, April 9, 2017 The temple will celebrate the festival over a ten day period. In the evening Nama Ramayanam will be chanted followed by Hanuman Chaleesa. Sundara Kanda from Valmiki Ramayanam will be read by the priests every day and all devotees are welcome to participate in this reading. Bhadrachala Raamadas was a great saint devotee of Lord Rama. Devotional songs composed by him will be sung during the Aradhana to this saint followed by Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam on Saturday, April 8. DAILY PROGRAM: 9:30 am Samkshepa Ramayana Homam, Sri Rama Moola Mantra Homam 5:15 pm Valmiki Sundara Kaanda Paaraayanam (except on concluding day) 7:30 pm Naama Ramayanam and Hanuman Chaleesa (except on concluding day) SPECIAL PROGRAM: Sri Rama Navami Day, Tuesday, April 4, 2017 9:30 am Vishwaksena Aaradhana, Punyahavachanam, Suprabatham, Rakshabandanam, Ankurarpanam, Nitya Homam,Kalasa Staapanam, Rama Janana parayanam, Beeja Daanam, Sri Rama Abhishekam, Naama Ramayanam, Archana 11:45 pm Deeparadhana and Prasadam distribution 7:30 pm Naama Ramayanam, Vishesha Aarati and Hanuman Chaleesa Saturday, April 8, 2017 9:30 am 10: 00 am 11:00 am 3:30 pm Rama Abhishekam Bhadrachala Raamadas Aradhana Sita Rama Kalyanam Sri Rama Durbar Puja Wednesday, April 12, 2017 [Sri Rama Navami Festival Concluding day] 10:00 am Sri Rama Pattabhishekam 5:00 pm Akhanda Rama Naama Parayanam (until 8:30 PM) 8:30 pm Special Deeparadhana, Prasadam distribution Sponsorship: One day Homam $ 25; Sri Rama Navami day Puja $ 25; Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam $ 25; One day Sundara Kaanda Parayanam $ 15; Sri Rama Pattabhishekam $ 25; Entire Sri Rama Navami festival $ 101 Panguni Uttiram (the day Uttaraphalguni star occurs in the solar month of Meena) is one of the rare festivals that have significance for several deities in our temple. It is the Jayanti (day of incarna- tion) of Lord Ayyappa, the day that Sri Valli married Lord Subramanya, the day that Goddess. Mahalakshmi incarnated on earth from the ocean of milk, the day Goddess Parvathi in the form of Kamakshi (or Gowri) married Lord Siva in Kanchipuram. It is only fitting that we celebrate this festival in our temple with all the religious grandeur so that our congregation can receive the blessings of many Gods and Goddesses. 9:30 am Ganesha Puja, Kavadi procession within the temple, Subramanya Abhishekam, Tiruppugahz, Deeparadhana 10:00 Ayyappa Puja 10:00 am Mahalakshmi Abhishekam, Archana and Gadya Traya Parayanam 10:30 am Valli-Subrahmanya Kalyanam 7:00 pm Kamakshi-Kameswaran Kalyanam 7:30 pm Mahalakshmi Puja By Devotees Sponsorship: All day Puja $51 Mahalakshmi Puja by Devotees $25; any one Abhishekam $25; any one Kalyanam $25 Vishu, Tamil & Tulu New Year (Hevilambi Nama Samvatsara) Thursday, April 13, 2017 Vishu signifies the entry of sun into Mesha Raasi and it is believed to bring good luck if one views auspicious things the first thing in the morning. Hence on this day in Kerala, homes are beautifully decorated and auspicious items are kept at the family altar. Tamil and Tulu New year are celebrated by worshiping the family deities, preparation of sweet and other delicacies and the reading of the Panchangam (Religious Almanac). The panchangam reading provides a list of all good and auspicious things as well as any adverse type of events that are likely to occur that year due to the transitory movements of planets as well as due to the presiding deity for the year. It is believed that listening to the panchangam reading will magnify the predicted good effects and mitigate the effect of adverse events. A unique feature of the celebration is the ARCHANA for all deities of our temple in sequence starting from 5:30 PM. 9:00 am 9:30 am 10:00 am 10:30 am 5:30 pm 7:30 pm Vishu Kani, Mahaganapathi Homam Abhishekam to Siva & Anantapadmanabha, Ayyappa Puja Ganesha Abhishekam Starting time for Archana for all deities (Sarva Devata Archana) Panchanga Patanam & Prasadam Distribution Sponsorship: Ayyappa Puja or one Abhishekam $25 Sarva Devata Archana $35 3
Spotlight on our Teachers in the Education Programs (Each month we will have a spotlight on our teachers in the Education Programs) Taking shape: Aakaar to Balavidyalayam Rugminy Mami In the words of Rugminy mami, matriarch of the children s education program at Sri Siva Vishnu temple: I came to this country in 1972 it was a totally different cultural environment for me. Other Indian families in the area helped me adjust to this area. In course of time, we realized the importance of imparting our values, culture, and traditions to the younger generations growing up here. This dream of having a temple originated in 1976, and led to the creation of SSVT trust in January 1980. The existence of Sri Siva Vishnu temple is a firm testament to the realization of this collective dream and efforts to bring together religious beliefs of Siva and Vishnu, while also incorporating various Indian architectural styles. The educational programs at SSVT were started at the time of its first kumbabhishekam in 1990. Initially it was informal children s educational classes and summer camps. Later, Aakaar took shape around 1998 with three areas of service children s balavikas education, a library, and community service. Teachers were trained in the style developed by Swami Dayananda Saraswathi. Balavikas students met regularly and presented cultural programs at special religious celebrations. The library remained modest due to space restrictions, while community service developed into a sandwich program that continues to meet once a month. According to my Guru, Swami Dayananda Saraswathi, moral and cultural education is essential to learning, and without those dimensions education is not complete. Teaching is an art, because the teacher carefully presents the subject matter while making sure that the student is able to receive the knowledge. The teacher has to be creative, truthful, and have clarity to teach innocent and trusting children. Only when teaching is clear, and the teacher is loving and caring, does a child discover meaning and love for the subject matter. The child s discovery is natural because the teacher has guided the child to the point from which the child spontaneously appreciates the truth and beauty of what is taught. This is the foundation of children s education at SSVT a dedicated focus to teach children Hindu values in a way that is relevant to their life, incorporating practices that follow a Hindu dharma. Aakaar took shape into present-day Balavidyalayam that continues to follow a strong educational program built on Samskritha shloka-s, Indian mythology, music, dance, arts and games. I served as its coordinator for around 15 years before requesting Aparna Ramaswamy to take on my role about two years ago. I pray that the Gods of this magnificent temple shower their blessings on our children and our educational programs ~ Rugminy mami 4 Dr. Aparna Ramaswamy Aparna Ramaswamy is a Bharatha Natyam dancer and teacher with over 25 years of experience in the DC metro area. A disciple of the Dhananjayans, she follows her teachers way of first establishing a caring relationship, wherein learning spontaneously emerges with clear teaching, and appropriate guidance. As a culmination of her dedication to dance, Aparna completed a PhD on Natya Yoga - connecting the spiritual experience of Bharatha Natyam with the meditative experience of yoga - dhyana as described in Yogasutra. In addition to dancing, Aparna works as a professional counselor combining the healing traditions of movement, music, and meditation with conventional psychotherapy. At present, she is completing her second doctorate in education focusing on meditation and multicultural competence in counseling and education. Aparna is a faculty at Johns Hopkins University, teaching counseling courses that integrate multiple healing traditions such as meditation, mindfulness and alternative therapies. She views Sunday mornings at Balavidyalayam as a blessing giving and receiving from children, especially at a venue she has witnessed grow - brick by brick over the past 30 years or more! While Aparna is the co-ordinator and lead teacher, numerous volunteers have taught children at SSVT. Dr. Thaila Ramanathan was involved for several years teaching shloka-s and mythological stories. At present, shloka-s are taught by SSVT priests (students love to visit their teacherpriests outside of class!), while games, cultural arts, music, and dance are taught by parent volunteers and professional teachers.
Program SSVT EDUCATION PROGRAMS Learn More about Your Roots & Culture Balavidyalayam Children s Educational Program - Sun @ 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 www.ssvt.org/home/balavidyalayam.asp Bhagavad Geeta Classes for Adults with Guided Meditation - Sun @ 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 - Sun @ 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 Sun @ 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 - Sat @ 12pm 1pm : Shri. Ananth Krishnan Please download or print Sri Rudram pdf files, available in English, Kannada, Malayalam, Samskritham, Tamil, and Telugu at www.ssvt.org/education/srirudram.asp and bring to the class. Weekend Yoga - Sat @ 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 - Tues @ 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 - Sun @ 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 Sun @ 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 & Fri @ 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 Sun @ 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. 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 240-568-9151; Sridevi Umesh 301-560-3102; Srini Tirumalasetti 443-540-4110; Rohini Homnappa 240-441-1266; Sujatha Badrinath 301-805-1943. 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 301-262-5031 or Sudarshan_gupta@yahoo.com, Satish Bhandari at 301-464-7381 or seniorcitizensgroup@ gmail.com, Sharan Prasad at 301-464-1475 or prasadsharan@ymail.com, Ramesh Godbole at 301-459-5942 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 email to Jaithm@gmail.com, Tribhuvannath Mishra, Contact Phone number-571.214.3198. 5
UPCOMING CULTURAL EVENTS Date & Time Event / Artist Venue & Admission Fee Saturday, March 25, 2017 Admission Free 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Participant Registration Link Annamacharya and Badrachala Ramadas Festival Main Concert: Vishnudev Namboothiri Main Concert: 5:30 PM 8:00 PM Sunday, March 26, 2017 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Main Concert: 4:30 PM 6:00 PM Main Concert: Srikanth Mallajosyula Saturday, April 08, 2017 4:00 PM 7:00 PM Saturday, April 22, 2017 & Sunday, April 23, 2017 All Day Friday, May 05, 2017 7:00 PM 9:00 PM Saturday, May 06, 2017 5:00 PM 8:00 PM Sri Rama Navami Maha Laya Concert Subhash Chandran and Party - Ghatam, Kunnakol, Kanjira, Keyboard, Violin, Thavil Nadatarangini Festival Prince Rama Varma Workshop Open to adults and youngsters able to sing varnams and krithis Prince Rama Varma Concert See web for more details See Flyer on page 2 of this Newsletter Admission Free More details later Admission Free More details later Admission Combined Workshop and Concert ticket - $30 per person available on SSVT web site shortly See web site for more details later Srimad Ra ma nuja a charya Sahasra bdhi - 1000th birth anniversary Celebrations, April 2017 It is our good fortune to be able to celebrate the 1000th year of incarnation (avatara tirunakshatram) of Srimad Ramanuja acharya this year (Chittirai, Arudhra star, April 30th, 2017) at the Sri Siva Vishnu Temple. Sri Ramanujacharya has been lovingly called by many names, each one signifying his many accomplishments. As Yathirajar ( King of Ascetics ), he worked for the spiritual upliftment of the downtrodden, protected Hindu Dharma by giving hope and nurturing faith and reformed temple rituals. As Udaiyavar ( Possessor ), he was blessed with the Divine Inspiration to write commentaries on Brahma Sutras and Bhagawad Gita to establish Sri Vaishnavam along the lines of Vedanta. We request all devotees to participate in this unique opportunity to show our reverence for the great saint, philosopher and reformer and to get his blessings. Highlights of the 1000th Avatara Tirunakshahtram Celebrations Saturday April 15, 2017 One-Day Gnana Yagna (Symposium) highlighting the great works of Srimad Acharya by scholars from major universities and institutions Friday April 28th to Sunday 30, 2017 Religious Events: including Ashtakshari Mantra Homam for World Peace, Acharya Puja, Installation of Utsava murthy of Acharya for Nithya aradhana at the temple. * Special Sahasrabdi Commemoration Volume will be released * Other Cultural and Religious events with youth participation will be held at the temple For more information click here: https://www.ssvt.org/ramanuja1000.asp SRI SIVA VISHNU TEMPLE 6905 Cipriano Road Lanham, MD 20706 Non Profit U.S. Postage Paid Permit #6038 Suburban, MD