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SAMA UPAKARMASaturday, September 3, 2016There will be one Upaakarma batch which will start at 9:30 am, followed by Aasheervaadam. Veda Aarambham (Commencing the study of Vedas), Rishi Tarpanam (Propitiating the Sages who handed down the Vedas to the future generations) are the most important aspects of any Upaakarma. Devotees are requested to avail of the facilities and resources provided by the temple in performing this important ritual. Suggested Donation (including Acharya Sambhaavana): $5 for Brahmacharis, $25 for newly initiated Brahmacharis and $11 for everybody else.

ONAM Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Onam (Sravana in Sanskrit) is also the day of Vamana Jayanti. It is on that day that Lord Vishnu took the form of a dwarf (Vamana) to suppress the ego of an otherwise good and popular king Mahabali (Grandson of Prahalada). The king loved his subjects very much and hence asked the Lord to allow him to visit his subjects once a year on

that day. Hence this day is celebrated in Kerala as the return of their favorite king. The homes are beautifully decorated and there is an ambience of festivity everywhere in anticipation of the Return of the King. Boat races, floral decorations, cultural performances like Mohini Aattam, Kathakali, Chaakiyaar Koothu, music concerts are common during this festival. Some communities consider this to be the beginning of a new year. Temples in Kerala have special pujas on this day. 10:00 am Purvanga Puja, Ananthapadmanabha Abhishekam, Vishnu

Sahasranamam, Archana, Deeparadhana, 12:30 pm Prasadam distribution Sponsorship: $ 25

Onam CelebrationSunday, September 18, 2016

The Temple will celebrate Onam on Sunday, September 18, 2016. A grand Onam Sadhya in traditional Kerala style, will start at 12 Noon.You are cordially invited to come and enjoy this unique Sadhya.

Mahalaya Paksham Saturday September 17 to Friday September 30, 2016The fortnight (15 days) preceding the Navaratri is known as Mahalaya Paksha or Pitr Paksha. This period is important for honoring our ancestors. Men, whose fathers have passed away, offer their obeiscence (shraddha) to their ancestors during this period. The ceremony is performed as a “Hiranya Shraddha,” details of which are available in the temple. Due to the increasing awareness and faith in these rituals and in order to meet the

September 2016Newsletter Vol 25, No. 9

6905 Cipriano Road, Lanham MD 20706Tel: (301) 552-3335 Fax: (301) 552-1204

E-Mail: ssvt@ssvt.org Web Site: http://www.ssvt.org

Sri Siva Vishnu Temple

Ganesha Chaturthi Celebrations Thursday, September 1 – Monday, September 5, 2016Ganesha Chaturthi day this year falls on Monday, September 5 and the temple will be celebrating this festival from Thursday, September 1 through Monday, September 5, 2016.

Thursday, September 1, 2016 7:00 pm Anugnay, Ganesha Moolamantra Ashtottara Sathanamavali

Puja, 8:30 pm Mangala Aarathi

Friday September 2, 2016 9:30 am Ganesha Homam10:30 am Ganesha Abhishekam 6:00 pm Trishati Archana

Saturday, September 3, 2016 7:00 am Kalasa Puja, Mahanyasam10:00 am Ekadasa Rudra Abhishekam to Mahaganapathy, Archana,

Deeparadhana, 1:30 pm Prasadam Distribution 4:00 pm Sahasramodaka HomamDevotees: Please note that both the conventional steamed Modakams and deep fried Modakams will be accepted, although, the deep fried variety is considered more apopropriate as Homam offering.

Sunday, September 4, 2016 9:30 am Mahaganapathy Homam, Ganesha Abhishekam11:30 am Prasadam Distribution

Monday, September 5, 2016 (Ganesha Chaturthi Day) 9:30 am MahaGanapathy Homam, 10:30 am Abhishekam to Ganesha and Utsava Moorthy, Dwara

Ganapathy, Nardana Ganapathy, Kanni Moola Ganapathy and Prakara Ganapathy; Archana, deeparadhana.

12:00 pm Utsava Ganapathy Temple Procession 1:00 pm Deeparadhana and Prasadam Distribution 6:00 pm Vishesha Sahasranama Archana, DeeparadhanaSponsorship: Anyone Homam and/or Abishekam $25; Ganesha Chaturthi Day (Sep 17) – Entire Day Puja $51; Entire Celebration $101

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RELIGIOUS CALENDARSeptember 2016

Thu 1 10:00 AM Andal Abhishekam (Poorva Phalguni)7:00 PM Ganesha Chaturthi Festival Begins (See details)

Fri 2 10:00 AM Ayyappa Puja (Uttara Phalguni)10:00 AM Durga Abhishekam

Sat 3 9:30 AM Sama Upakarma (see details)4:00 PM Srinivasa Kalyanam

Sun 4 6:00 PM Swarna Gowri Vratam Mon 5 9:30 AM Ganesha Chaturthi Day, Festival Concludes (see details)Tue 6 9:30 AM Sudarshana/Yoga Nrsimha Homam & Abhishekam (Swati)Wed 7 10:00 AM Subrahmanya Abhishekam (Sashti, Vishaka)Fri 9 10:00 AM Mahalakshmi AbhishekamSat 10 10:30 AM Puja by Children

4:00 PM Anjaneya Abhishekam (Moola) Sun 11 10:30 AM Srinivasa KalyanamMon 12 7:00 PM Ananthapadmanabha Abhishekam (Ekadasi)Tue 13 10:00 AM ONAM (see details)

10:00 AM Utsava Srinivasa Abhishekam (Shravana)Wed 14 7:00 PM Siva Abhishekam (Mahapradosham)Thu 15 10:00 AM Nataraja Abhishekam

7:00 PM Satyanarayana PujaFri 16 10:00 AM Sarada Abhishekam

7:15 PM Bhagavati SevaSat 17 Mahalaya Paksham BeginsSun 18 9:30 AM Ayyappa PujaMon 19 9:30 AM Ganesha Homam (Sankatahara Chaturthi)

7:00 PM Ganesha Abhishekam (Sankatahara Chaturthi)Wed 21 10:00 AM Subrahmanya Abhishekam (Sashti, Krittikai)Thu 22 10:00 AM Krishna Abhishekam (Rohini)Fri 23 10:00 AM Parvathi AbhishekamSat 24 4:00 PM Rama Abhishekam (Punarvasu)Sun 25 9:30 AM Navagraha Homam and Abhishekam

10:30 AM Manjal Neeraattu (see details)Mon 26 7:00 PM Anantapadmanabha Abhishekam (Ekadasi)Tue 27 7:00 PM Siva Abhishekam (MahaPradosham)

7:00 PM Sarpabali (see details)Thu 29 10:00 AM Andal Abhishekam (Purvaphalguni)Fri 30 Mahalaya Paksham Ends (Amavasya)

10:00 AM Durga Abhishekam10:00 AM Ayyappa Puja (Uttaraphalguni)

October 2016Sat 1 9:30 AM Sarada Navaratri Begins (see details)

4:00 PM Srinivasa KalyanamMon 3 9:30 AM Sudarsana/Yoga Nrsimha Homam and Abhishekam (Swati)Tue 4 9:30 AM Ganesha Homam and Abhishekam (Chaturthi)

10:00 AM Utsava Subrahmanya Abhishekam (Visakha)Fri 7 10:00 AM Mahalakshmi Abhishekam

10:00 AM Subrahmanya Abhishekam (Sashti)7:00 PM Anjaneya Abhishekam (Moola)

Sat 8 9:30 AM Saraswati PujaSun 9 7:00 AM Chandi Homam - DurgashtamiMon 10 9:30 AM MahaNavami, Saraswati PujaTue 11 9:30 AM Vijaya Dasami, Navaratri Ends (see details)

9:30 AM Venkateshwara Jayanti Vedantadsika Jayanti (see details)Utsava Srinivasa Abhishekam (Sravana)

Wed 12 7:00 PM Anantapadmanabha Abhishekam (Ekadasi)Thu 13 7:00 PM Siva Abhishekam (Mahapradosham)Fri 14 10:00 AM Nataraja Abhishekam

10:00 AM Sarada AbhishekamSat 15 4:00 PM Visesha Satyanarayana Puja

Rest of October in the next newsletter

DAILY & WEEKLY ABHISHEKAMSDaily Abhishekams

Daily: 9:30 AM Ayyappa, Anantha Padmanabha10:00 AM Siva

Weekly AbhishekamsMonday: 9:30 AM Ganesha, Sri RamaTuesday: 9:30 AM Durga, AnjaneyaWednesday: 9:30 AM Andal, Sarada, NavagrahasThursday: 9:30 AM Krishna, SubrahmanyaFriday: 9:30 AM Mahalakshmi, Parvati, Sudarsana/Yoga NarasimhaSaturday: 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

Skanda Sashti Kavacham RecitationEvery Thursday at 7:30 pm, devotees will recite Skanda Sashti Kavacham in front of Lord Subrahmanya, which will be followed by Deeparadhana. All devotees are encouraged to come and participate.

Employee & Volunteer Appreciation Day

Sunday October 23, 2016

Please join us at the SSVT auditorium on Sunday, October 23, 2016 from 11:00 am to 1:00 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 is a very important day for all of us to join hands in patting our employees and volunteers who are steering SSVT in the forward direction. This day will provide an opportunity for Coordinators to talk about their committee’s achievements and hear from everyone about ideas for strengthening our Temple and for volunteers to sign up for various committees. Please bring in your family and friends to our SSVT to make this a memorable event.

When: September 14, 2016

Price: $50.00 per person –Payable in cash only on Wednesday 8/3/16 at SSVT Cafeteria @ 10:00 am-11:00 am. Please save your receipt.

What is included: We leave SSVT promptly @ 7:00 am by a chartered bus. The price includes to and fro transportation, snacks, and a water bottle. We will make a rest stop going and coming. The Temple offers free lunch, and appreciates any donation. We will return by 7:00 pm

Vraj Temple website: www.Vraj.org

Contact: Phone: (301) 464-7381, or, Email – SeniorCitizensGroup@gmail.com

SSVT – Senior GroupTrip to Vraj Temple, Schuylkill Haven, PA

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needs of maximum number of devotees the temple is scheduling time slots of half hour duration for 3 or more hours per day during this fortnight. Please call the manager to reserve your slot. A donation of $95 which includes Dakshina to the priest applies for this ceremony.

Manjal NeeratuSunday, September 25, 2016, 10:30 AMSSVT is conducting a unique and rare puja by women of all ages following the Kerala traditions called Manjal Neeraattu on Sunday, September 25 2016 at 10:30 AM. The kalasas will be filled with holy water mixed with turmeric (tiruchandanam), and will be carried by women through the 18 holy steps to the Ayyappa sanctum. Special Abhishekam with the sanctified waters from the individual kalasas will be conducted to Swami Ayyappa. Families are encouraged to bring their own kalasas which will be sanctified by the priests and duly returned back after the Abhishekam.Register at the front desk or by calling the Temple.Sponsorship: $25

Sarpabali Tuesday, September 27, 2016

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 Rahu 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. 6:30 pm Sankalpam (when devotees can mention to the priest the

problems to be overcome or desires to be fulfilled) 7:00 pm Sarpabali Sponsorship: $35

Sarada Navaratri Saturday, October 1 to Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Sarada Navaratri, is one of the most popular Hindu festivals spanning a period of nine nights. The Goddess in the form of the Universal Mother is commonly worshipped during the nine nights and ten days and hence it is

also known by the name of Devi Navaratri. Three aspects of the Divine Mother, namely Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati are worshipped during the nine nights, the tenth day being celebrated as Vijaya Dasami. It is considered auspicious to start new ventures, especially in the field of education, on Vijaya Dasami. Reading the Durga SaptaSati (also known as Devi Mahaatmyam) and Ramayanam is also common during the Navaratri. Special Pujas are scheduled in the temple during the ten days. Devotees are encouraged to participate personally in the Sahasranama Archana daily. (Sponsorship is not a requirement for participation in this archana)

Daily Program 11:00 am Lalitha Trishati Archana, Durga Sapta Shati (Devi Mahaat-

myam) Parayanam 5:00 pm Sundara Kanda (Valmiki) Parayanam 7:15 pm Lalitha Sahasranama Archana, Deepaaradhana, Mahishasura-

Mardini Stotram, Devi Namaskaram (6:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays) 8:45 pm Prasadam Distribution (7:30 pm on Saturdays & Sundays)

Special Program Saturday, October 1, 9:30 am Ganesha Puja, Purvanga Puja, Kalasa Sthapanam, Durga Avah-

anam, Durga Sukta Homam, Abhishekam to Durga, Deeparad-hana

Sunday, October 2, 9:30 am Bhoo Suktha Homam, Abhishekam to Andal

Monday, October 39:30 am Swayamvara Bala Parvathi homam, Abhishekam to Parvathi

Tuesday, October 49:30 am Devi Moolamantra Homam, Abhishekam to Durga

Wednesday, October 5 9:30 am Medha Suktha Homam, Abhishekam to Sarada & Andal

Thursday, October 69:30 am Devi Gayathri Homam, Abhishekam to Durga

Friday, October 79:30 am Lalitha Sahasranama Homam, Abhishekam to Parvati and Ma-

halakshmi

Saturday, October 89:30 am Devi Pancha Suktha homam. Abhishekam to Sarada

Sunday, October 9 - Durgashtami 7:00 am Mahaganapathy Homam & CHANDI HOMAM, 11:30 am Suvasini, Kanya & Bhairava Puja, Abhishekam to Durga 1 – 5 pm Devotional Music by Devotees

Monday, October 10 – Mahanavami, Saraswathi Puja9:30 am Saraswathi Moolamanthra Homam, Abhishekam to Sarada

Tuesday October 11 - Vijaya Dasami 9:30 am Devi Gayathri Homam, Abhishekam to Durga, Lakshmi,

Saraswathi; Conclusion of Sundara Kanda Parayanam 10:30 am Vidya Aarambham for Children (am Session) 11:30 am Devi Navaratri Concluding Pujas. 7:00 pm SRI RAMA PATTAABHISHEKAM 7:00 pm Vidya Aarambham for Children (pm Session)

Sponsorship: One day Abhishekam $25 per deity; One day Homam $ 25; Suvasini Puja $51; Kanya Puja $ 51; Bhairava Puja $51; Sundara Kanda Parayanam & Sri Rama Pattabhishekam $51; Sri Rama Pattabhishekam $ 25; Durga Sapta Shati Parayanam $51; Vidya Arambham $ 25; Sahasranama Archana $15; Entire Navaratri Celebration $151

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Mahalaya Paksham

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Gowri Puja (Bathukamma Puja)Sunday, October 2, 2016, at 3:00 pm

Bathukamma is a festival that is celebrated for nine days during navrathri. It starts on Mahalaya Amavasya and ends on Ashwayuja Ashtami (also called ‘Pedha/Sadhula Bathukamma’). ‘Bathu-kamma’ in Telugu, is to ask the ‘Goddess to come Alive’.

There are many myths about the origin of this festival. Goddess Gowri killed ‘Mahishasura’ the demon after a fierce fight. After this act, she went to sleep on the ‘Aswayuja Padyami’, due to fatigue. The devotees prayed to her to wake up, and she woke up on the Dasami. The other being Bathukamma, as the daughter of the” Chola” King ‘Dharmangada’ and ‘Satyavati’. The king and queen lost their 100 sons in the battlefield and prayed to Goddess Lakshmi to be born in their house, as their child. Goddess Lakshmi heard their sincere prayers and chose to oblige them. When Lakshmi was born in the royal palace, all the sages came to bless her and they blessed her with immortality “Bathukamma or Live Forever”

Preparing a Bathukamma is a folk art. Women start preparing Bathukamma from the afternoon. They cut the flowers leaving the little length base and arrange them on a wide plate called Tham-balam, and stack them up in a conical mound, decorated with a Lotus or Pumpkin flower on top of the stack along with Gowramma (a symbolic idol of Gowri made of turmeric). On this special occasion women dress up in traditional saree combining it with jewels. In the evening, women gather in large number with their Bathukammas in open place and starts singing by clapping their hands and revolving around the Bathukammas. Gowramma (Gowri made of turmeric) is taken back from Bathukamma before immersion and every married woman applies a paste of this, on her Mangala sutra that marks the solemnization of her marriage and also her husband is protected from all evils and ill fate.

Venkateshwara Jayanti - Vedantadesika JayantiTuesday, October 11, 2016The incarnation of Lord Vishnu in the form of Venkateswara occurred on Vijaya Dasami day on Sravana Nakshatra. This day is celebrated as Venkateswara Jayanti. The day is also the Jayanthi of Sri Vedanta Desika 9.00 am Suprabhatam 9.30 am Kalasa Puja, Utsava Srinivasa Abhishekam (Sravana), Sri

Vedanta Desika Acharya Aradhana, Recitation of Stotras composed by the Acharya Sahasranama Parayanam

Sponsorship: $25

Receiving Puja Requests by EmailDevotees can send their puja requests by email starting immediately. This new service is another way to send puja requests, in addition to the current process of calling the temple for puja requests. Devotees can send the details of the puja by email to the email address puja@ssvt.org. SSVT will respond to the request within 3 business hours (For ex: If the request is received after 7 PM, response will go out the following morning). Devotees are requested to send the details in the form given below. Alternatively, Devotees can also fill the same information in text format, if that is easier for them. Devotees can download the form from the temple website (ssvt.org). We hope that this new process will give more choices and make it easier to schedule pujas at the temple or at Devotee’s homes.

Dr. Cheriyath Ravindra NathWe are deeply saddened to inform you that Dr. Cheriyath Ravindra Nath, a founding trustee of Sri Siva Vishnu Temple, passed away on August 4th 2016 at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda after a Cardiac Arrest at age 77. Dr. Nath was surrounded by his family members at the time of his death.Dr. Nath, graduated as part of the first graduating class from Calicut Medical college, Kerala India in 1961; he immigrated to the US in 1969. Dr. Nath was a practicing Physician/Nephrologist in solo practice

for 4 decades, and was a very dedicated clinician and a well respected patient advocate. He was the Chair of the department of Nephrology at DC General Hospital / Howard Univ college of Medicine from 1974-1979 and a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. Dr. Nath was an avid tennis player, had an adventurous and entrepreneurial spirit, and a kind and giving friend. Dr. Nath is survived by his wife of 48 years, Devikutty Nath, his three sons, Sanil, Sanjay and Sathish, his Daughter-in-law Renuka, his three grandchildren Neela, Nikhil and Joya and his large extended family. He was the youngest of 5 siblings from Cheriyath House in Mukkali, Kerala. He is also survived by his older brother P.K.K. Kurup.A memorial service was conducted at the Temple on August 21, 2016 and another memorial service and reception was conducted by the family of Dr. Nath at Fox Hill Condominium, Bethesda on August 27, 2016

OBITUARY

Non-Monetary DonationsWe thank all those magnanimous devotees who have made many non-monetary donations of various forms such as furniture, furnishings, artwork, decorations, and books to the temple. While the thoughtfulness and generosity of the devotees who have donated these items is commendable, shortage of storage space has necessitated us to be cautious in accepting donations of any kind that may not be immediately useful to the Temple. We request you to please contact and get approval of the General Manager or VC Operations should you have a donation of exceptional value, before bringing the item to the Temple premises.

SSVT Gita ClassSSVT Gita class celebrated the successful completion of one year on June 26, 2016. The program started with prayers by SSVT Balavikas and Dr. Anitha Menon. Dr. Madan Mohan, a student of the class, welcomed the gathering. Two groups chanted verses from chapter 2 of Bhagavad Gita. Dr. Tripuraneni, Past Chairman, Board of Trustees, commended the teacher Sri Vijaya Kumar and the students. Dr. Nagula and Sri M.G. Menon also spoke. Trustee Danny Dhananjayan distributed the certificates of completion to the students. Dr. Chith Puram, a student of the class, thanked Sri Vijaya Kumar for his dedication in teaching Gita. The support of SSVT was always there for the class, thanks to Sri Sasi Menon.

The class has over 20 regular students and the class population is gradually becoming international. Such educational efforts are lacking in many Hindu temples of North America. In this regard, SSVT can

be proud of its organizational effort and its continued support for the education of the devotees.

Second Teach India Workshop Provides Immersion Experience for Maryland TeachersLanham, MD (August 15, 2016) — Teachers from across the state of Maryland, as well as the District of Columbia, took part in the second Teach India teacher training workshop organized by the Hindu American Foundation (HAF), California State-University Long Beach, and the Sri Siva Vishnu Temple (SSVT).The workshop, held from August 9th through 13th at SSVT, was led by renowned history educators Tim Keirn and Dave Neumann, and HAF’s education director Murali Balaji. Keirn, a lecturer and social sciences subject coordinator at CSU-Long Beach, is also the chief reader for Advanced Placement (“AP”) world history, while Neumann is director of theHistory Project and an assistant professor at Cal Poly, Pomona.The workshop also featured talks by Grand Valley State University professor Abhishek Ghosh and former Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington president D.C. Rao, as well as a performative lecture by renowned Kuchipudi dancer, Anuradha Nehru, founder of the Kalanidhi dance company.

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SSVT EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Program Time

Balavidyalayam Children’s Educational ProgramBalavidyalayam students will learn shloka-s, stories, games, dances and songs based on Valmiki Ramayanam. Sunday classes resume on September 11th @ 10am in the Aakaar rooms behind stage area.Please register by email: balavikas@ssvt.org

Sundays10:00 am - 11:00 am

Yoga – A Special Offering at SSVT, Mantra Vibrations are an important Part of YogaOur Saturday morning sessions of Yoga at 7:30 am follows strictly the principles of Patanjali’s yoga sutras. While common practices in other places are more focused on the asana component of Hatha Yoga, we combine the learnings of Tantra, Ha-tha and Mantra traditions in accordance to the principles of Patanjali. Experience the power of beeja mantras in cleansing the inner self to prepare for the higher yoga. You will never find this in yoga studios. Our practices are gentle that can be done by anyone in any age-group in almost any state of health. Send any questions on yoga to lifeinyoga@gmail.com and all attempts will be made to answer them as promptly as possible.

Saturdays7:30 am - 10:30 am

Midweek YogaGiven the interest of those who attend the Saturday morning session, this new mid-week Satsang has been going on 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.

Tuesday Evenings7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Learn Spoken Sanskrit Intermediate Level II. Please contact Swarup: dinbandhu@sprynet.com

Saturdays10:00 am - 11:30 am

Beginner’s Spoken Sanskrit Looking for volunteers. Please contact Thaila Ramanathan: thailar@yahoo.com

Saturdays12:00 noon - 1:00 pm

Bhagavad Gita Classes for Adults with Guided MeditationThe 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? For info call: Smt. Rukmini Mami at 301-218-7550

Sundays9:30 am - 11:00 am

Srimathi Niloofer Giri Talks on Vedanta at SSVT in the Education RoomFriday, September 16, 7:00 pm: Understanding Devi (Based on Meenakshi Pancharatnam by Adi Shankaracharya)Saturday, September 17, 6:00 pm: The meaning of Worship (Based on Shiva Mānasa Puja by Adi Shankaracharya)Sunday, September 18, 6:00 pm: Wisdom from the Ramayana (Based on values drawn from dialogues in the Valmiki

Ramayana) or Know your True Self from Pratah Smaranah

Niloofer Giri is an exponent of Vedanta, Vedic Chanting and Sanskrit. With over two decades of studying and teaching under the guidance of Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati at the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam in India. Ms.Giri explains the intricate subject of non - dualism (Advaita) Vedanta, in a simple yet powerfully logical manner.

Upanishad Series by Dr. Pradeep S. KamathFor more information please contact Dr. Pradeep S. Kamath: Pradeep.s.kamath@gmail.com

Second Sundays10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Bhagavatam, RamayanamEkadasa skandham – uddhava gita in Bhagavatam. Please contact Thaila Ramanathan: thailar@yahoo.com

Sundays2:30 pm - 5:00 pm

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

1st & 3rd Sundays3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Learn More about Your Roots & Culture

Sri Shiridi Sai Baba Bhajans at SSVTSri Shiridi 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.

The SSVT Senior Citizens Group meets twice in a month usually on the second and fourth Wednesdays in the Education room from 11 am to 1 pm followed by a potluck lunch in the cafeteria. We invite/welcome all seniors 55+ to join us at the meetings and share our seniors-related common interests. We invite speakers to talk on topics of interests to senior citizen, such as those related to primarily health and finance. We also arrange programs, such as picnics and trips to nearby places which would help promote social interaction between members of the group. All seniors are welcome.For more information please contact: Ramesh Godbole at 301-459-5942 or rameshgodbole@yahoo.com, 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.

SSVT SENIOR CITIZENS MEET UP

ROBOTICS CLUB ACTIVITIES & SCHEDULESep. 2: Temple Robotics Open House Showcase of our Robots for the Sep. 5 Labor Day Parade

SSVT Members can see the progress of the backyard Anacostia Watershed Kingdom (our greenspace in the back to the community room).

Sep. 5: 10 am - 1200 Greenbelt labor Day Parade Meet at 10 at Buddy Attick Park Old GreenbeltSep. 10: FTC Robotics kickoff Howard County SSVT Teams Aakaar and Lanham Roadrunners need

teenagers to join and learn Java. Meet at SSVT 7 am for group travel to Howard County

Sep. 11: Travel to Greenbank WVa Radioastronomy tour and science showcase return Sep. 12Sep. 18: Kickoff of FRC scrimmage in VASep. 25: Battle of Baltimore First Robotics Offseason Competition McDonough HS .

As usual SSVT 4 FRC teams and 2 FTC teams are looking for students and volunteers to work with the students. We meet Mondays and Fridays 6-9pm. For more information please contact vskowtha@gmail.com

Homeless SEVA, Sandwich Program, Second Saturdays, 2016 ■ 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

“There in no better way to thank God for your sight than to lend a helping hand to one in the dark.” - Helen Keller

Sankara Nethralaya Ophthalmic Mission Trust, Inc.9710 Traville Gateway Drive, No. 392, Rockville, MD 20850

Present An unforgettable musical homage to Bharat Ratna Dr. M.S. Subbulakshmi on her birth centenary

Sunday, September 18, 20164:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Eleanor Roosevelt High School, 7601 Hanover Parkway,

Greenbelt MD 20770

Please donate generously. Please make your check to SN OM Trust, Inc.

BALA VIKAS OF FAIRFAXis cosponsoring with

DURGA TEMPLE

GANESH PUJA(Back To School Celebration For All Children)

onSaturday, September 3rd, 2016, 10:30 AM*

Durga Temple Auditorium8400 Durga Place, Fairfax Station, VA 22039

(* Puja starts on time. In order not to disturb the Puja all are requested to be in their seats by 10:15 AM)

“Find God, that is the only purpose of Life” - Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

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COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

To purchase tickets andfor more details, visit: meetSadhguru.org

FOUNDATION

Be part of the launch of his latest book,

"Inner Engineering"A Yogi’s guide to joy

Sadhguru

Sadhguru, a yogi, mystic, and visionary has empowered millions worldwide

with tools for well-being.

Have your unanswered questions answered

Meet, Mingle & Meditate

Bring joyinto your life

IN WASHINGTON, DC

Friday, September 23, 2016 | 7:00pm - 9:00pmNational Theatre | 1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004

Saturday, September 3rd, 2016 NOVA Community College – ALEXANDRIA Campus

Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall, 3001 North Beauregard St, Alexandria, VA 22311 Reception: 3:30PM – 4:00PM, Program: 4:00PM – 6:00PM

http://tinyurl.com/ju8eegu

AIM for Seva Educating rural India through Free Student Homes

For passes, contact: Siva: (301) 983-9699 Aruna: (301) 527-2057 Lakshman: (240) 386-8434 Radha: (301) 775-8390 Anshuman: (571) 215-5456 afsdmv@googlegroups.com

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Grand Carnatic Vocal Concert from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Husband/ Wife Duo – Smt. Binny and Dr. KrishnakumarViolin: Smt Pavani Mallajyosula, Mrudangam: Abhinav Seetharaman

Donation of $10 per head may be made at the door

Sri Siva Vishnu Temple & Sankara Nethralaya OM Trust pays homage to Smt. M.S Subbulakshmi, the Jewel of India

On the occasion of her Birth CentenaryIndividual and group presentations of the songs she made famous

Saturday, September 10, 2016 from 9:30 AM – 9:00 PM

For further information and to get email updates for cultural events, contact: SSVT Cultural: cultural.ssvt@gmail.com

Sri Siva Vishnu Temple 6905 Cipriano Road, Lanham MD 20706Tel: (301)552-3335 Fax: (301)552-1204

E-Mail: ssvt@ssvt.org Web Site: http://www.ssvt.org

Bharat Ratna Dr. MS Subbalakshmi’s commemorative photographs will be on display.Amma Anandadayini Special documentary of her life will be screened

Click the link MS Centenary Celebration Registration to register. Registration is on a first come basis and will stop once the slots are full. Only one presentation per individual not to exceed 5 minutes; only 2 presentations by a group (2 or More) not to exceed 10 minutes. Admission Free; Donations Welcome

Sankara Nethralaya Ophthalmic Mission Trust, Inc.9710 Traville Gateway Drive, No. 392, Rockville, MD 20850

UNITED HINDU AND JAIN TEMPLES (Association of 16 Temples of Metropolitan Washington DC/Baltimore)

Invites you to celebrate DIWALI (Festival of Lights)

Saturday, October 1, 2016 12:00 Noon – 10:00 PM

Admission only $2 / Children under 5 yrs. free; Free Admission from 12PM – 1PM Eleanor Roosevelt High School

7601 Hanover Parkway, Greenbelt, MD

GRAND CULTURAL PROGRAM STARTS AT 1PM Shri Ganesh and Laxmi Pooja at 6 PM; Raas Dandiya onwards

Experience the ageless culture of India, Gala Festival, Delicious Foods, Fashion Clothing, Cosmetics, Jewelry, Music, Home Décor and More

Vendor Rates: Food $600, Non-food $300, Non-profit $175, Corner $400, Prime Location $1000

Vendor booth contact Suseela at SuseelaDK@GMail.Com or 703-282-0008 Souvenir Rates/Sponsorship contact SBajpai@RocketMail.Com or 301-294-6030 Special 10% Discount on a combination vendor booth and souvenir ad

For more information, please visit www.DCUnitedTemples.Org or contact below

Direction: From Beltway, take Exit 22 for Balt/Wash Pkwy towards Baltimore. Take MD-193 E exit. Take left at the traffic light and then left on Hanover Pkwy. Free Parking

TEMPLE REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEES PHONE NUMBER Chinmaya Mission Rama Iyer Devaraj Coordinator 301-948-9455 Durga Temple Suresh Gupta Co-coordinators 301-299-5000 Gayatri Pariwar Ram Singh Publicity 703-391-0487 Greater Baltimore Hindu Temple Nandini Mouli Hospitality 410-252-4865 Hindu Temple Shyam Bajpai Souvenir 301-294-6030 India House of Worship Dilip Jhaveri Website 410-290-9092 ISKCON Naveen Krishna Das Fireworks 301-910-3786 Jain Society of Metropolitan DC Kamlesh Shah Diety Worship 301-838-9778 Mangal Mandir Kirit Udeshi Decoration 571-445-0123 Murugan Temple Suseela Krishanan Vendor 703-282-0008 Rajdhani Mandir Vivek Gupta Youth/Vendor 703-659-5538 Sri Siva Vishnu Temple Hari Har Singh Education 301-972-3944 Sri Venkateswara Lotus Temple Vasanthi Aharam Volunteer 703-980-1629 Washington Kali Temple Dhruba Biswas Cultural 443-742-9004 World Hindu Council (VHPA) Ghanshyam Gupta Vendor 703-560-7617 BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir Ratee Bhai Patel Logistics 703-525-8979

Individual and Group Singing Mini Concerts

Dances Based on Swathi Thirunal Compositions Special Lec-Dem By Mrudanga Selvam Sri. Venupuri Srinivas, and

Percussion Presentation “Nadha-Swara-Laya” By Sri Venupuri Srinivas and Team

Tenth Annual SSVT Sri Swathi Thirunal Festival

Saturday, September 24, 2016 8:30 am to 8:30 pm SSVT Auditorium

Maharaja Swathi ThirunalSri Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Thiruvananthapuram

Grand EVENING Music Concert Smt. Jaishree Sankaran (Vocal)

Accompanied byChi. Sanjay Sarma (Violin)

Sri. Venupuri Srinivas (Mrdangam)Sri. Sowmiya Narayanan (Ghatam)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For details and Registration please call or emailM.G Menon -240-938-1272 / menonmg@hotmail.com

Prabhakar Thyagarajan–301-801-3410/prabhakar.thyagarajan@gmail.comFor further information and to get email updates for cultural events,

contact: SSVT Cultural: cultural.ssvt@gmail.com

Sri Siva Vishnu Temple 6905 Cipriano Road, Lanham MD 20706Tel: (301)552-3335 Fax: (301)552-1204

E-Mail: ssvt@ssvt.org Web Site: http://www.ssvt.org

Admission to Festival: Free (Donations Welcome)

Sri Anantha Padmanabhaswamy

Vijay Siva is one of the foremost vocalists today in Classical Carnatic Music. A child prodigy, at the age of four, he exhibited a rare intuitive capacity to identify ragas. Vijay Siva had his initial tutelage in Carnatic music from his mother, Akhila Siva, a vocalist from Chennai. He later became the disciple of the legendary vocalist, Sangita Kalanidhi late Shri D. K. Jayaraman. He also received guidance from the legendary Sangita kalanidhi late Smt. D. K. Pattammal. Vijay Siva is also an accomplished percussionist (mridangam), and received his training from Kumbakonam Shri Rajappa Iyer. Vijay Siva has performed in numerous and famed locations all over India and abroad including USA, Canada and Singapore, and won innumerous accolades and prizes, including the first recipient of “Kalki Krishnamurthy Award (1996)” by Kalki Krishnamurthy Memorial Trust, Chennai. He is known for strict adherence to classicism, and for the purity of his bani.RK Shriramkumar is a top ranking Violin artist from India. He belongs to the Rudrapatnam family of musicians; a family with a glorious musical tradition. He is the grandson of the renowned violinist Sangeetha Kalaratna R. K. Venkatarama Shastry. After initial training on the violin from Smt. Savitri Satyamurthy, he had advanced training from his grandfather. Hehas performed all over the world. He has had the privilege of accompanying some of the legends of Carnatic music like Semmangudi R. Srinivasa Iyer, M. S. Subbulakshmi, D. K. Pattammal and Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna. He has received the title of Yuva Kala Bharathi from Bharat Kalachar and the Kalki Krishnamurthy Memorial award. He is the first ever instrumentalist to be conferred the prestigious “Isai Peroli” title (2009).J Vaidhyanathan hails from a Family of Great Musicians. He is the son of legendary musician Sangita KalanidhiD.K.Jayaraman and Nephew of Padmavibhushan Sangita Kalanidhi Mrs..D.K.Pattammal. He is the disciple of Sangita Kalanidhi Maestro Dr.T.K.Murthy. He has accompanied great stalwarts like Bharat Ratna Mrs..M.S.Subbulakshmi and many others. He has travelled widely in India and abroad. He is the youngest Mridangist to get the prestigious Kalaimamaniaward from the Government of Tamilnadu State in 2006.Pramod Margadamane (Pramod Gokhale) is a prime disciple of the lead vocalist Mr Vijay Siva. He is a Musician in his own right, and was nurtured into full blown artist by the renowned artist Mr Vijay Siva right from his childhood days.

Date: Sunday, 25th September 2016 Time: 4 PM – 7 PM at SSVT

SSVT Cultural Committee presents GRAND CARNATIC MUSIC CONCERT BYN Vijay Siva (Vocal); RK Shriramkumar (Violin); J Vaidhyanathan (Mrudangam);

Pramod Gokhale (Thamboora/ Vocal Support)ADMISSION: Before concert date $20 per person; on concert day $25 General, $20Senior Citizens and Children below 18 years. Purchase online by clicking on the link:

Vijay Shiva Concert Tickets

For further information and to get email updates for cultural events, contact: SSVT Cultural: cultural.ssvt@gmail.com

Sri Siva Vishnu Temple 6905 Cipriano Road, Lanham MD 20706Tel: (301)552-3335 Fax: (301)552-1204

E-Mail: ssvt@ssvt.org Web Site: http://www.ssvt.org

Non ProfitU.S. Postage Paid

Permit #6038Suburban, MD

SRI SIVA VISHNU TEMPLE6905 Cipriano RoadLanham, MD 20706

UPCOMING CULTURAL EVENTSDate & Time Event / Artist Venue & Admission Fee

Saturday, September 10, 20169:30 AM – 9 PM

4 PM – 7 PM

SSVT and Shankara Netralaya Om Trust MS Subbulakshmi Centenary Celebrations – All DayIndividual / Group Presentations of songs made famous by MS Subbulakshmi

Grand Carnatic Music Vocal Concert Dr. Krishnakumar & Binny (husband/ wife)Smt. Pavani Srikanth – ViolinAbhinav Seetharaman - Mrudangam

Registration Link :

MS Centenary Celebration Registration.

Registration is on a first come basis and will close once the slots are full.

A Donation of $10 per head may be made at the door

SSVT Auditorium

Saturday, September 24, 2016

8:30 AM – 8:30 PM

Tenth Annual SSVT Sri Swathi Thirunal Festival – All DayIndividual and Group Singing, Mini Concerts, Mrudangam LEC/DEM, Dances Based on Swathi Thirunal CompositionsGrand EVENING Music Concert by Smt. Jaishree SankaranAccompanied by Sanjay Sarma on Violin; Mrudanga Selvam Venupuri Srinivas on Mrdangam; Ghatam - Sri Sowmiya Narayanan

For details and Registration please call or email M.G Menon -240-938-1272 / menonmg@hotmail.comPrabhakar Thyagarajan – 301-801-3410 / prabhakar.thyagarajan@gmail.com

Sunday, September 25, 2016

4 PM – 7 PM

Grand Carnatic Music Concert N Vijay Siva (Vocal); RK Shriramkumar (Violin); J Vaidhyanathan (Mrudangam); Pramod Gokhale (Thamboora/ Vocal Support)

ADMISSION: Before concert date $20 per person; On concert day $25 General, $20 Senior Citizens and Children below 18 years. Purchase online by clicking on the link:Vijay Shiva Concert Tickets

Sat Nov 5, 2016 8:30am to 8:30pm & Sun Nov 6, 2016 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Annual Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar & Sri Syama Sastri (MDSS) FestivalCo-Sponsored by SSVT and Geethamrutha Music SchoolClasses and group practice sessions for the group rendition of Syama Sastri’s Ratna Trayam and other selected krithis will be provided by Smt. Nirmala Ramaswamy (Director of Geethamrutha Music School, Bethesda MD)

Individual and Group Singing, Grand Evening Vocal Concert.

Admission Free, Doantions Welcome.

For free classes please contact: nirmalaramaswamy@yahoo.com for participation in the Group rendition and additional information before 22nd Sep. 2016.

SSVT IT COMMITTEE SEEKS VOLUNTEERSThe IT Committee at SSVT temple continues to solicit volunteers who have expertise in the following areas: Network Administration, System Administration, Web Applications (PHP, Wordpress), Credit Card Processing, Public Audio Systems, Surveillance Video (CCTV) Systems. If interested, please send an email to prabhakar.thyagarajan@gmail.com or call 301-801-3410.