Sri Siva Vishnu Temple

6905 Cipriano Road, Lanham MD 20706

Newsletter

Tel: (301) 552-3335 Fax: (301) 552-1204

E-Mail: ssvt@ssvt.org Web Site: http://www.ssvt.org
Vol 23, No. 5

Only One More Printed Issue of the Newsletter

May 2014

As part of SSVTs going green efforts, paper newsletter will be stopped effective June 1, 2014, unless specifically requested by email
to ssvt@ssvt.org. The temple has started distributing the monthly news letter by email. Devotees are encouraged to signup for electronic
newsletter by sending an email to ssvt@ssvt.org with the home address and subject line Subscribe to e-Newsletter and Unsubscribe
Paper Newsletter. The benefits of subscrining to the electronic Newsletter include:
Besides the monthly newsletter, frequently updates and special updates are also sent by email
You can print out, in color, only the portions you are interested in
Future newsletters will be available for you to download into your Kindle, I-Pad, I-Phone, Android devices, etc.
Video Clips of important functions will become available
You will help the Temple in saving monthly printing and mailing costs

Akshaya Trittiya

Narasimha Jayanthi

Akshaya Trittiya is Parasurama Jayanti, where Parasurama is one of the

Avatars of Maha Vishnu. The word Akshaya means growth and trittiya
is the third tithi. It is believed that any ritual done on that day leads to
growth and hence jewelry and ornaments are bought on that day for
overall prosperity. Gandha (Chandanam) Alankaram is traditionally
performed for Lord Krishna on this day to cool the body of the Lord
so that he will bestow us with all wealth.

6:00 pm Praakaara Narasimha Abhishekam, Archana, Deeparadhana

7:15 pm Sri Yoga Narasimha Abhishekam, Sri Narasimha Avataara
Parayanam from Srimad Bhaagavatam & Sri Narayaneeyam,
Archana, Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Sthotram Parayanam, Deeparadhana
8:45 pm Prasadam Distribution
Sponsorship : $25

Thursday, May 1, 2014

10:00 am
Abhishekam to Krishna, Chandana Alankaram, Vishnu
Sahasranama Parayanam, Archana & Arati
12:30 pm Deeparadhana, Prasadam Distribution
Sponsorship: Abhishekam $25

Sri Sankara Jayanthi

Saturday, May 3, 2014

SSVT will be celebrating Sri Sankara Jayanthi on Saturday, May 3 in

Vasantha Mandapam. The events will start at 7:20 AM with Ganesha
Puja followed by Kalasa Sthapanam, Rudra (Siva) Abhisheka and
Shodasa Upachara Puja to Sri Adi Sankara. A highlight of the Puja
will be the chanting of Totakaashtakam and Guru Paduka Stotram
by a group of children along with others. The details of the program
are given below:
7:20 am Ganesha Puja, Kalasa Sthapanam
8:15 am Rudra (Siva) Abhisheka and puja to Adi Shankaa
10:00 am Stotra Seva by Children, Deeparadhana
11:00 am Pallaki Seva (Procession with picture of Adi Sankara)
12:30 pm Mahamangalarathi and Prasadam Distribution

Meenakshi Kalyanam
Sunday, May 11, 2014

The union of Lord Siva with Parvati in the form of Meenakshi

took place in Madurai on the Chitra Poornima day. This union
is celebrated in many of the Siva temples around the world
as Meenakshi Kalyanam. Lord Vishnu, who is the brother of
Meenakshi, gave away the bride to Lord Siva. Hence in our temple
which is dedicated to Siva and Vishnu (and their families) this
festival has an added significance.

9:30 am
Ganesha Puja, Siva-Parvati Abhishekam, Siva Stotrams,
Meenakshi Pancharatna Stotram, Archana, Deeparadhana
10:30 am Wedding Procession, Meenakshi Kalyanam
1:00 pm Prasadam Distribution
Sponsorship:
Abhishekam $ 25 Kalyanam $ 25 Abhishekam & Kalyanam $ 35

Monday, May 12, 2014

Venkateswara Brahmotsavam
Wednesday, May 21- Sunday, May 25, 2014

To ward off all sins, Brahmotsavam is celebrated. Lord Brahma

Himself is believed to have celebrated the first Brahmotsavam to
please His father Vishnu and according to some legend this was
the beginning of the Brahmotasavam. In keeping with the tradition, Venkateswara Brahmotsavam will be celebrated in our temple
from May 21 to May 25. One of the most important features of the
Brahmotsavam is the Brahma Rathotsavam (Chariot Festival) on
the last day wherein everybody gets to pull the chariot.
(Continued on Page 3)

Prana Prathishta Mahotsavam

(for Sri Godha Devi (Andal) & Sri Anjaneya)

SSVT will be performing the consecration of the recently acquired
Utsava Vigrahas of Sri Andal and Sri Anjaneya. The consecration
rituals will be performed in combination with Annual Venkateswara
Brahmotsavam events. The program for these consecration rituals
are given below:
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Morning: Jaladhivaasam (The Utsava Murthis will be kept in a
container of water)
Evening: Dhaanyadhivaasam (The Utsava Murthis will be kept in
a container of grains)
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Morning: Godha Devi & Anjaneya Moola Mantra Homam, Karmaanga Snapanam
Evening: Sayyadhivaasam, Tattwa Nyasa Homam
Friday, May 23, 2014
Morning: Pranaprathishta Homam & Abhishekam to Utsava
Vigrahas of Anjaneya & Andal
1

Religious Calendar

Religious Calendar for May 2014

01 Thu 9:30 AM Siva Abhishekam (Basava Jayanthi)

Akshaya Trittiya Puja (please see details)

10:00 AM Krishna Abhishekam (Rohini)
02 Fri 9:30 AM Mahaganapathy Homam & Abhishekam (Chaturthi)

10:00 AM Sarada Abhishekam
03 Sat 7:20 AM Sri Sankara Jayanthi (please see details)
Sri Ramanuja Jayanthi (*)
4:00 PM Srinivasa Kalyanam
04 Sun 4:00 PM Subrahmanya Abhishekam (Shashti)
05 Mon 10:00 AM Rama Abhishekam (Punarvasu)
09 Fri 10:00 AM Parvati Abhishekam

10:30 AM Andal Abhishekam (Purvaphalguni)
10 Sat 9:30 AM Ayyappa Puja (Uttaraphalguni)
4:00 PM Anantapadmanabha Abhishekam (Ekadasi)
11 Sun 10:30 AM MEENAKSHI KALYANAM (please see details)
5:00 PM Siva Abhishekam (Mahapradosham)
12 Mon 6:00 PM Narasimha Jayanthi (please see details)
13 Tue 9:30 AM Sudarshana/Yoga Narasimha Homam & Abhishekam
(Swati)
7:00 PM Satyanarayana Puja (Poornima) (Temple + 1 offsite)
14 Wed 9:30 AM Utsava Subrahmanya Abhishekam (Vishaka)

Vrishabha Month Begins
16 Fri 10:00 AM Durga Abhishekam
7:15 PM Bhagawati Seva
17 Sat 9:30 AM Mahaganapathy Homam (Sankatahara Chaturthi)
4:00 PM Ganesha Abhishekam (Sankatahara Chaturthi)
4:00 PM Anjaneya Abhishekam (Moola)
18 Sun 9:30 AM Ayyappa Puja
9:30 AM Navagraha Homam & Abhishekam
19 Mon 9:30 AM Subrahmanya Abhishekam (Shashti)
20 Tue 9:30 AM Utsava Srinivasa Abhishekam (Sravana)
21 Wed
VENKATESWARA BRAHMOTSAVAM BEGINS

(please see details)

Andal & Anjaneya Utsava Vigraha Prana Prathishta

(Please see writeup)
23 Fri 9:30 AM Hanumat Jayanthi (Vedic Sampradayam)
(Please see details)

10:00 AM Mahalakshmi Abhishekam
24 Sat 4:00 PM Anantapadmanabha Abhishekam (Ekadasi)
25 Sun
VENKATESWARA BRAHMOTSAVAM CONCLUDES
SPECIAL KALYANOTSAVAM &
BRAHMA RATHOTSAVAM (Please see details)
5:00 PM Siva Abhishekam (Mahapradosham)
28 Wed 9:30 AM Amavasya (Krittika) Utsava Subrahmanya abhishekam
29 Thu 10:00 AM Krishna Abhishekam (Rohini)
30 Fri 10:00 AM Sarada Abhishekam

(*) Aradhana for Sri Ramanuja will be performed as part of the Weekly Abhisheka Aradhana for Lord
Venkateswara

Religious Calendar for June 2014

01 Sun 9:30 AM Mahaganapathi Homam & Abhishekam (Chaturthi)

10:00 AM Rama Abhishekam (Punarvasu)
03 Tue 9:30 AM Subrahmanya Abhishekam (Shashti)
05 Thu 10:00 AM Andal Abhishekam (Purvaphalguni)
06 Fri 9:30 AM Ayyappa Puja (Uttaraphalguni)

10:00 AM Parvati Abhishekam
07 Sat 4:00 PM Srinivasa Kalyanam
08 Sun 9:30 AM Vaikasi Vishakam Celebration Begins (Please see details)
09 Mon 7:00 PM Anantapadmanabha Abhishekam (Ekadasi)
10 Tue 9:30 AM Sudarshana/Yoga Narasimha Homam & Abhishekam
(Swati)
7:00 PM Siva Abhishekam (Mahapradosham)
11 Wed 9:30 AM Vaikasi Vishakam Day Celebration Ends (Please
see details)
12 Thu 7:00 PM Satyanarayana Puja (Poornima)(Temple and offsite)
13 Fri 10:00 AM Anjaneya Abhishekam (Moola)

10:00 AM Durga Abhishekam
15 Sun
Mithuna Month Begins
9:30 AM Mahaganapathy Homam (Sankatahara Chaturthi)
9:30 AM Ayyappa Puja
4:00 PM Ganesha Abhishekam (Sankatahara Chaturthi)
(Rest of June in next Newsletter)

Report on New Ramayana work offered to Rama and Sita during Sita Kalyanam day

It is not often that a brand new version of Ramayana is written in this day and age. Such a
special effort requires inspiration, Sarasvathi kataaksha, and a special personality. We have all
these in Dr. Mysore Nataraj from Rockville, Maryland, a well known Kannada poet, author
with many books, poetry collections and essays to his credit. In addition to exemplary writing
skills, writing Ramayana in these days requires study and knowledge of the shastras, humbleness, devotion and surrender. Out of amalgamation of all these ingredients, has come a
beautiful, poetic Ramayana consisting of about 600 verses that was offered to Sri Rama and
Sita during Sita Kalyana function on April 13th, 2014.
A long journey that culminated in the samarpana on April 13th started in 2006 when Sri Rama
Shastry garu, respected devotee from Telugu community, communicated with Dr. Nataraj and
requested him to write Sundara Kanda in Kannada. From this serendipitous event, Sri Nataraj
wrote Sundara Kanda in verse form. This was set to music in 2008 and released during Rama
koti yagna of SSVT. This became a huge success in many areas of the world. There are many people who read and listen to it every
day. From this success, Dr. Nataraj was getting requests to write the full Ramayana. He didnt take them seriously thinking that writing
full Ramayana is a himalayan task. He got the inspiration in 2012 and started making preparatory studies in 2012. He started writing in
September 2013 with a first draft for review in November and the edited version presented today was completed by Sri Ramanavami Day
last week. He said that he felt that it was not he who was writing it, but an invisible inspiring force that was doing it. This is hallmark of
inspired works that comes from true surrender. We are fortunate that such works are being written and published today in our midst,
by our own compatriot in our area.
Dr. Nataraj studied many Ramayana works in many languages and has distilled the best of many works and made it into his work.
Ramayana is a complex story with many characters and incidents that have many nuances and interpretations. It is very hard to
summarize a 24,000-verse work into a work of about 600 verses. Dr. Nataraj has accomplished this hard task and the fruit is here for all
of us to savor and enjoy.
SSVT Board of Trustees takes immense pleasure in recognizing, honoring the Devoted poet and offering his work to Sri Bhadrachala
Rama parivar residing in our temple.
Sarvam Krishnaarpana Namasthu
2

(Continued From Page 1)

Venkateswara Brahmotsavam
Wednesday, May 21- Sunday, May 25, 2014
Wednesday, May 21

9:00 am to1:00pm Suprabhatam, Vishwaksena Aaradhana, Anugnay,Vasudeva Punyaahavachana, Rakshabandanam, Mritsangrahanam, Angurarpanam, Prahtaraaradhana, Shanti
Patham, Veda Vinnappam,Satumurai, Chatusthanaarchana, Agni Prathishtam, Moolamantra Homam, Poornahuti, Vainatheya Prathishtapana, Dwaja Aarohanam,Garuda Prasadam (Santana Praptyartham), Bali
Harana, Mangalasaashanam, Teerthavaari.
Beginning of processes towards samprokshanam of Utsava vigrahams
for Hanuman and Aandaal
5:00pm to 9:00pm Vishnu Sahasranama,Chatusthanaarchana, Moolamantra Homam, Poornahuti, Bhereetadanam, Devataahvaanam,Bali Haranam, Mangalasaashanam,
Teerthaavari, Shayanothsavam.

Thursday, May 22

9:00 am to 1:00 pm Suprabhatam, Seva Kalam, Prahtaraaradhana,Shanti

Patham, Veda Vinnappam, Satumurai, Chatusthanaarchana,Moolamantra Homam, Bali Haranam,
Mangalasaashanam, Teerthavari.
5:00pm to 9:00pm
Vishnu Sahasranama, Chatusthanaarchana,Moolamantra Homam, Poornahuti, Bali Haranam, Sangeeta
Seva,Mangalasaashanam, Teerthavari, Shayanotsavam.

Friday, May 23

9:00 am to1:00 pm Suprabhatam, Seva Kalam, Prahtaraaradhana, Shanti Patham, Veda Vinnappam, Satumurai, Chatusthanaarchana, Moolamantra Homam, Sudarshana Homam,
Poornahuti, Utsavaarambha Snapanam, Bali Haranam,
Mangalasaashanam, Teerthavari, 108 Kalasa Sthapanam.
Completion of samprokshanam processes for Hanuman, prana prathishta
and abhishekam along with moola murthy of Hanuman
5:00pm to 9:00pm Vishnu Sahasranama, Chatusthanaarchana,Moolamantra Homam, Poornahuti, Bali Haranam, Mahalakshmi Aaradhana and Deepotsava, Mangalasaashanam, Teerthavari, Shayanotsavam.

Saturday, May 24

Completion of samprokshanam processes Aandaal utsava vigraham,

Praana Prathishta and Archaa murthy aaraadhana shubhaarambham
7:00 am to 1:00pm Suprabhatam, Seva Kalam, Prahtaraaradhana,Shanti
Patham, Veda Vinnappam, Satumurai, Chatusthanaarchana,Moolamantra Homam, Poornahuti, 108
Kalasa Venkateswara Abhishekam, Lakshaarchana,
Sangeeta Seva, Tirupavada Seva, Bali Haranam, Mangalasaashanam,Teerthavari
3:30 pm
Vishnu Sahasranamam
6:00 pm
Garuda Vahana Praakaar Utasavam, Chatusthanaarchana, Moolamantra Homam, Poornahuti, Bali
Harana
7:30 pm
Venkateswara Deepotsava, Dolotsava, Sangeeta Seva,
Mangalasashanam, Teerthavari, Shayanotsavam.

Sunday, May 25

8:00am -10:00am Suprabhatam, Seva Kalam, Prahtaraaradhana, Shanti

Patham, Veda Vinnappam, Satumurai, Chatusthanaarchana, Moolamantra Homam, Mahapoornahuti.
10 am -
Special Kalyanotsavam (Srinivasa Kalyanam)
12 Noon -
Brahma Rathotsavam, Bali Haranam, Mangalasaashanam,Teerthagoshti.
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm Sripushpayaagam, Dwadasha Aaradhana, Devata
Udhvasana, Dwaja Aavaarohana, Chakra Teertham,
Kumbha Prokshana, Acharya Sambhavana, Asheervadam, Mangalasaashanam, Teerthavari
Sponsorship: One Homam, one Abhishekam, Kalyana Utsavam $25, Rathotsavam
$25; Any one puja $25; One days Pujas $51 per Day;Entire Brahmotsavam $201

Hanumat Jayanthi
Friday, May 23, 2014

People in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh observe Hanumat

Jayanthi on Lunar Vaisakha Bahula (Krishna) Dasami. This day
falls on Friday, May 23 this year according to North American
Panchangam. On this day there will be Sahasranama Archana
and a special Vada Alankaaram to Lord Anjaneya. Those devotees
who would like to bring Vadas (no onions or garlic in the Vadas
please!) for the Alankaram are requested to do so by 5:30 pm so
that the priests may plan the decoration accordingly. Participation
by more than 100 devotees in the Sahasranama Archana will make
it a Laksharchana. Sponsorship is not a requirement to participate
in the Sahasranama Achana. There will be no butter Alankaaram
during that day.
9:30 am Anjaneya Moola Mantra Homam
6:00 pm Anjaneya Abhishekam, Special Vada Alankaaram, Sahasranama
Archana, Deeparadhana, Prasadam Distribution @ 8.30 pm
Sponsorship: $ 25

Vaikasi Vishakam Celebration

Sunday, June 8 Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Sunday, June 8

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

Monday, June 9

9:30 am Subrahmanya Abhishekam

7:30 pm Subrahmanya Trisati Archana
8:00 pm Visesha Arati, Prasadam Distribution
Sponsorship: Trisati Archana $11

Tuesday, June 10

9:30 am Subrahmanya Abhishekam

7:00 pm Subrahmanya Sahasranama Archana
8:00 pm Visesha Arati, Prasadam Distribution
Sponsorship: Sahasranama Archana $15

Wednesday, June 11 - Vaikasi Vishakam Day

9:30 am Subrahmanya Moola Mantra Homam

10:00 am Subrahmanya Abhishekam
7:30 pm Thirupugazh Bhajans
8:00 pm Archana, Visesha Arati & Prasadam Distribution
Sponsorship: Homam $25, Milk Kalasam Sponsorship $25, Homam & Milk
Kalasam Sponsorship $35

Obituary
Kudlapur Gundappa Venkata Krishna passed
away on March 11, 2014 at the age of 88 and half
years. KGV Krishna was born in Bangalore on
August 28, 1925, one of 8 children born to K.
Gundappa and G. Gouramma. He is survived by
his wife Leela, daughter Gouri, and son Sanjaya.
After spending time in India and Africa, Krishna moved to USA in 1966 to work for the World
Bank in Washington, DC. Upon arrival in Washington, Krishna was reunited with a childhood
friend from Mysore, B.K. Radhakrishna, one of
the founding trustees of Sri Siva Vishnu Temple. Krishna was very much
involved in the growth of SSVT and supported the fact that both Vishnu
and Siva are worshipped in the same temple. In looking back at his life
it is clear that he fulfilled the role of elder brother to many people, especially those at the SSVT temple. His counsel and guidance was sought
by many. Though we will never fill the void left by his departure, we will
always remember him this way and we can take inspiration in the way he
conducted himself a true gentleman who was caring and clear-minded in the way he conducted himself, with nothing but the temples best
interests in mind.

SSVT Monthly Homeless Sandwich Making Seva

SSVT organizes Monthly Homeless Sandwich Making Seva Program for the homeless on every second Saturday of the month. We start
making 1500 sandwiches for homeless in the dining hall at around 10:00 am and wrap up by 1:00 PM.
Around 20-40 volunteers from Virginia and Maryland join every month on 2nd Saturday of the month with a smile on their face and
kindness in their hearts to help the Homeless. Approximately 1500 Sandwiches are made by volunteers and delivered to Marthas Table
the same day afternoon.
T.H. Mishra coordinates with Temple Management about supplies, and send reminders to all the volunteers, sponsors and supporters of
the Program every month. Student volunteers along with many others, including Viji ji, Vijay ji, Chitra ji have provided helping hand
consistently to this program.
Everyone gets the satisfaction of helping the community by donating their invaluable weekend time. Students who join this program not
only start learning the importance of helping others at an early age, but also help them to earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours. You
can volunteer to make the sandwiches or you can help this program by making donations to the temple for any amount you choose: by
check, credit card or cash. Just make sure to mention that the donation is for the sandwich program. The Sponsorship for the Monthly
Sandwich Making Seva Program is $175. However, you can donate any amount. You can write check payable to SSVT.
This program depends entirely on patron donations and volunteering support. Please share this information with your friends, family
and colleagues, and please encourage them to take benefit of contributing to this community service program as well.
Students can also participate as a volunteer to get Student Service Learning (SSL) hours.
Please email me with subject SANDWICH to my email jaithm@gmail.com if you have any questions regarding this program.
TH Mishra -5712143198, jaithm@gmail.com

Employee and Volunteer Appreciation Day!

Saturday, June 28, 2014 at 2:00 pm

Please join us at the SSVT auditorium on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at 2:00 pm to celebrate and honor
our employees and volunteers. This is an important day where we appreciate all our employees and
volunteers who make SSVT special. Our esteemed employees and their families look forward to your
participation in making this day special for them. This day also provides a wonderful opportunity
for existing and new volunteers to hear from committee coordinators about their goals for SSVT.
Please come and make this a memorable event for all. Refreshments will be served.

Robotics and Science Club Update

Local FLL teams competed in the FLL regionals and did very well but were not placed to go
to St. Louis for the FLL championships.
However, two SSVT sponsored teams Parkdale HS located on Good Luck Road and Team
Illusion are heading to St. Louis based on solid performance on the regional contests held
in March/April.
Team Illusion won 7 games and were placed around 14/54 at the preliminaries. They were
picked up by the winning alliance as the third pick which allowed them to compete saturday afternoon at the GMU Patriot Center on March 30. They won their subsequent games
to win the Washington DC regional and all three teams in the alliance are heading to St.
Louis as representing the winning Washington DC regional. They have been written in the
local newspapers.
Parkdale HS did well in the VA Regionals in Richmond VA on March 14 but as a rookie
team they won the hearts and minds of the Chesapeake Regional held at Comcast Center.
This allowed for their five wins when included with their overall performance a Rookie All
Star coveted award. This award like Team Illusion won last year allowed them to register for
the FIRST Robotics Championship at St. Louis. Both teams are registered and are looking
forward to April 23-26 at St. Louis.
In additon to the two teams members of SSVT outreach also helped other schools like KIPP
DC pictured here. Saketh an 8th grader was the driver of Team 2964 and Kipp only won 3
games in DC but at Chesapeake they entered into playoffs with a record of 7 wins. They lost
in the playoffs but Saketh who weighs less than the robot was a treat to watch when he and an other KIPP teammate lifted the robot onto
the field on multiple occasions. The school was ecstatic on the performance and everyone had a rewarding experience.
5

SSVT EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Learn More about Your Roots & Culture
Saturday Programs
Program

Time

YOGA FOR ALL

Initial part is Gentle Yoga; everyone can do irrespective of age or physical condition and consists of easy
stretches, breathing exercises and meditation

7:30 am - 10:30 am

Learn Spoken Sanskrit

(Intermediate Level II)

10:00 am - 11:30 am

Learn Spoken Sanskrit

(Intermediate Level I)

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Sloka for Children Vishnu Sahasranamam, Gopika Geetam, Aditya Hrudayam

1:00 pm 2:00 pm

Learn Hindu Scriptures

2:30 pm 5:00 pm

Bhagavatam Dasamaskandham uttaradham Balarama Leelas and Sanskrit Grammar explanations

2:30 pm 3:30 pm

Vaishnava Samhita Srikrishnacaitanya Mahaprabhu Story

3:30 pm 4:00 pm

Brindavana Mahatmyam

4:00 pm 4:30 pm

Valmiki Ramayan Ayodhyakandam

4:30 pm 5:00pm

Other Programs

1. Upanishad Series by Dr. Pradeep S. Kamath May 11, 10:30am -12:30pm

2. SAT Classes
Meets every month on the 1st and 3rd Sundays 3:00 5:00 pm SSVT Education Room
SSVT encourages students to sign-up for guidance on SAT preparation. Classes are organized into two semesters: September January and February - June. Email SAT@ssvt.org to sign-up.

3. Balagokul Sloka Class On Sundays from 10:30 am 12:00 noon.

4. Midweek Yoga at SSVT On Tuesday evenings 7:00pm to 8:30pm

Given the interest of those who attend the Saturday morning session, this new mid-week Satsang has begun since September 24.
Shri Sabnis will be leading this session. Please e-mail Shri Sabnis (sabnis@his.com) if you plan to attend. Session will be adapted to
the needs of attendees.

Homeless SEVA, Sandwich Program, May 10, 2014

Each month, on the 2nd Saturday, volunteers make sandwiches for the homeless. Every time, roughly about 1500 sandwiches are
prepared and delivered to Marthas 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 Email: Jaithm@gmail.com , Tribhuvannath Mishra, Contact Phone number-571.214.3198.

SSVT Community Service

Senior Citizens Group

Meetings on May 14 and May 28, 2014 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm

The mission of SSVT Senior Citizens Group is to enhance the quality of life of its members so that they can live a healthy, happy, active
and independent life with dignity as well as serve and enrich the community. This Group strives to enhance physical, mental, emotional,
social, and spiritual well-being of all members through education, training, entertainment, and other assistance thereby attaining successful aging. The current programs include talks by members and/or by invited guests (on various topics of interest to our members),
music, devotional songs, etc. (11am-1pm), and lunch (1-2pm). We cordially welcome all SSVT Senior devotees to participate in our
group activities and enjoy a successful aging.. For details, please call Mr. Umakant Rajguru at 301-890-0652 or email shakurajguru@
yahoo.com

Shirdi Baba Bhajan

Thursday May 1, 2014

First Thursday of each month at 7 pm. Please contact Shobha Prasad at 240-568-915
6

1st Annual SSVT Sri Papanasam Sivan Festival

Saturday, June 14th, 2014

On Saturday June 14th, 2014, SSVT will celebrate the first annual SSVT Sri Papanasam Sivan Festival. This great composer of the 20th
century (September 26, 1890 October 10, 1973), known as Tamil Thyagayya will be remembered that day in music and dance, through
his varied compositions such as varnams, padams, javalis, krithis etc. The festival is open to all rasikas of the greater Washington DC
Metro area to attend and participate as individuals or groups. All music / dance items should be strictly limited to 5 minutes or less. Raga
alapana or swara kalpana are not expected. Group participation is encouraged in order to accommodate a larger number of participants.
Sri Papanasam Sivan used to go around the Mada streets surrounding the Kapaleeshwarar temple in Mylapore singing songs in praise of
the deity. In emulating this practice, the SSVT event will start with a Giri Pradakshinam, a procession around the SSVT temple prakaram.
All devotees and music participants are invited to join in the procession singing of Sri Papanasam Sivans krithi Mooladhaara Murthy in
Hamsadhwani, culminating in an archana at the Praakara Ganapathy Sannidhi. The program will begin with the Lighting of the Lamp
in the auditorium, an introductory talk, followed by the presentations. The highlight of the evening will be a vocal concert by the leading
musician Smt. Raji Gopalakrishnan. Admission to the entire event is free.
To register for participation, you may follow this link: www.tinyURL.com/papanasam14 and provide the required registration information. Time slots will be allotted, as available, in the order the requests are received. The deadline for registration is June 1, 2014. Further
program details and updates will be available via the temple notice board and website. For any other questions you may email: papanasam.ssvt@gmail.com or contact the event coordinating team: Nalini Iyer (703-620-6695), Preetha Narayanaswamy (703-794-2184), Prof.
V. Sivakumar, and Narayanan Arakoni. As an aside, do note there is a special carnatic music workshop by Smt. Raji Gopalakrishnan the
next afternoon, Sunday June 15th at 3:00 pm. Registration details for the workshop will be available soon.

1st Annual Sri Annamacharya Festival (2014) A Recap

Arts and culture help us reveal and enhance the underlying identity
of those saints who were the very first lyric composers and singers
(Vaggeyakara) in different languages. On March 15th, Sri Siva Vishnu
Temple for the first time honored Sri Annamacharya as an early saint
and Vaggeyakara. The festival started with a puja to Lord Ganesha, followed by a procession holding Sri Annamacharya, Sri Venkateswara,
Sri Bhoodevi and Sridevi pictures, moving on to Sri Venkateswara garbha gudi with Naadaswaram and Vedic chanting in the background,
and culminating with puja in the auditorium.
Throughout the day, individuals and groups, with talented local
youngsters and adults, performed Sri Annamacharya compositions with great devotion and enthusiasm.There was a group rendition of Saptagiri Samkeerthanas, toward the end of which a young
Annamayya appeared, making his way towards Sri Venkateswaras
framed picture singing Adivo Alladivo! Following this were wonderful Kuchipudi dance performances by Subha Maruvada and
Aasish Cherukupalli, with live orchestra by Pavani Mallajyosula,
Bhagawan Kuram and Sanjay Sharma. The main and conclud-

ing evening performance was a superb vocal concert by Pattisam

Veerabhadra Sarma Bandi, accompanied by Srikanth Mallajyosula, Jayanth Balasubramanian, Vivek Chellapa and Sowmiya
Narayanan. The festival concluded with annadanam by the temple.
The whole atmosphere was filled with joy and excitement for the
entire duration of the festival. There were a great number of supporters who helped make this festival a grand success. The Sri
Annamacharya festival coordinating team sincerely and humbly
thanks the members of cultural committee, kitchen committee,
priest services, and the general manager, who facilitated the event.
We thank Pavani and Srikanth Mallajyosula, who took great pains
to coordinate the group singing of Saptagiri Samkeertanas. We also
thank Raghu Pantula, Bhima Sastry and Mysore Ramarao for professionally setting up the sound system. A very nice brochure was
prepared as a souvenir for the event, which may be downloaded
from: www.tinyURL.com/annamayya14-brochure
(Sri Annamacharya Festival Coordinating Team: Prabha Maruvada,
Raghu Pantula, Ramakrishna Rao, Sudha Mallajosyula)
7

Upcoming Cultural Events

Date

Time

Event

Artist

May 5
May 5

All Day
5:00 pm

Carnatic Mela 2014

Carnatic Mela 2014 Evening Concert

Multiple Local Artists

May 10

5:00 pm

Vocal Concert

May 11

1:30 pm

May 18

Admission Venue

Free
Free

SSVT Auditorium
SSVT Auditorium

Trichur Brothers - Vocal

Edappally Ajith Kumar - violin
Trichur Mohan - mrudangam

Free

SSVT Auditorium

Meenakshi Kalyanam Cultural

Program

1:30 pm: Bharatanatyam Performances by:

Abinaya Natya Sala, Natananjali School of Dance
Natya Nilayam
5:00 pm: Vocal concert by: Megha Rajaram (vocal)
Ranjani Parthasarathy (violin)
Raghav Muralidharan (mrudangam)

Free

SSVT Auditorium

3:00 pm

Next Gen Series Concert

(joint program with Nadatarangini)

Vinay Raghuram Vocal

Kamalakiran Vinjamuri Violin
Jayanth Balasubramanian Mrudangam

Free

SSVT Auditorium

June 7

5:00 pm

Vocal Concert

R.Suryaprakash Vocal
H.N.Bhaskar violin
Vijay Ganesh - mrudangam

Free

SSVT Auditorium

June 14
June 14

All Day

Sri Papanasam Sivan Festival

Multiple artists

Free

SSVT Auditorium

5:00 pm

Sri Papanasam Sivan Festival Evening

Concert

Smt. Raji Gopalakrishnan vocal

Chi. Kamalakiran Vinjamuri violin
Mrudangam (TBD)

Free

SSVT Auditorium

June 15

3:00 pm

Special Carnatic Music Workshop

Smt. Raji Gopalakrishnan

Accompaniments (TBD)

Free

SSVT Auditorium

Carnatica Brothers Vocal Concert

Shashikiran and Ganesh (vocal)
Jay Shankar Balan (violin)
Nemani Somayajulu (mrudangam)

Satyanarayana Puja
Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Sri Satyanarayana Puja will be conducted in the temple and Virginia Offsite location. Please call temple managers at 301-552-3335 for
details. The starting time of Puja is 7:00 pm.
Virginia Location:
Frying Pan Farm Park, 2739 West Ox Road, Herndon, VA 20171

SRI SIVA VISHNU TEMPLE

6905 Cipriano Road
Lanham, MD 20706

Non Profit
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit #6038
Suburban, MD