Sri Sankara Jayanthi - Sri Siva Vishnu Temple
Sri Sankara Jayanthi - Sri Siva Vishnu Temple
Sri Sankara Jayanthi - Sri Siva Vishnu Temple
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<strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Siva</strong> <strong>Vishnu</strong> <strong>Temple</strong>6905 Cipriano Road, Lanham MD 20706Tel: 301-552-3335 Fax: 301-552-1204E-Mail:ssvt@ssvt.orgWeb Site:http://www.ssvt.orgNewsletter, Vol 17, No. 4 April 2008Donation Offer From Local BankA local bank is offering a promotion whereby you can get thebank to donate $100 to the temple. The temple urges you to participatein this promotion and help raise $100 for temple projects.Here are some salient features of this promotion.You need to open a checking account. Checking accounts maybe opened even if you already have other checking accounts withthis bank. There is no minimum balance to be maintained afterthe account is opened and there are no monthly fees or hiddenfees. You go to the bank’s website and designate “<strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Siva</strong> <strong>Vishnu</strong><strong>Temple</strong>, Lanham MD” as the charity to which you wish to donate.Shortly after opening the account, you will receive a check cardby mail which can be used to make purchases. After the checkcard has been used to make the first purchase, the bank will donate$100 to the temple. The checking account can be closed any timeafter this donation is made. The deposits minus the check cardpurchases will be returned to you when the account is closed. Thechecking account does not pay any interest and the offer is limitedto one per family. Proper ID (Driver’s License for example) andthe initial deposit are required at the time of opening the account.Please take advantage of this offer and help raise funds for templeprojects. For more details about this offer, you may contact RajRajagopal at 301-983-6858 or Mythili Bachu at 301-476-9072.Double your donation to SSVTSeveral employers including many in the Washington DC areahave matching charitable donation programs where they match anemployee’s charitable contribution. Some of the employers wheredevotees have donated through such programs include Verizon,Freddie Mac, Sallie Mae, etc. Some of these employers also donatesome money if their employees donate their time to the charityas well. Please check with your employers as soon as possibleas some of them have deadlines by which you need to apply foryour contribution in the prior year.Please check with your employer to see if they will match yourcontribution to SSVT and double your donation to SSVT at noadditional cost to you. If you contribute through the matchingprogram, please send an e-mail to ssvt@ssvt.org so that we canalert other employees of the organization as well.Sita Praana RakshanamMrs. Jaya <strong>Sri</strong>nivasan, a renowned Hari Katha exponent will be givinga religious discourse on the topic “Sita Praana Rakshanam”,a moving part of Sundara Kandam of the famous epic Ramayanaon Sunday April 20, 2008 between 2 to 4 PM. All devotees arerequested to participate and receive the blessings of Lord Rama.Puja by Children(Sunday, April 27, 2008)Details inside1Ugadi (Sarvadhaari Samvatsara)(Sunday, April 6, 2008)Ugadi marks the beginning of a New Year for several Hinducommunities including Kannada, Telugu and Marathi communities.Ugadi is based on the lunar calendar andhence its occurrence may vary from yearto year compared to the solar calendar.It is a common tradition to listen to thereading of the Panchangam that day sothat one may mitigate the negative resultsand increase the prosperity that may be instore for the year ahead. It is also a tradition in Andhra Pradesh toeat a preparation made of sweet, sour, bitter, and hot ingredientsto signify that life is a mixture of good and bad times and that onemust face them with equanimity.7:00 am Suprabatham, MahaGanapati Homam & Devi PanchaSukta Homam7:30 am AnanthaPadmanabha, Utsava <strong>Sri</strong>nivasa, Ayyappa &<strong>Siva</strong> Abhishekams.8:30 am Ganesha Abhishekam, Bhajans (During Alankaram),Archana, Deeparadhana10:15 am Panchanga Patanam (Almanac Reading), <strong>Sri</strong>nivasaKalyana Utsavam.1:00 pm Prasadam Distribution1:30 pm Special Cultural ProgramSponsorship: One Abhishekam $25, One Homam $25, KalyanaUtsavam $25, All the Pujas $51.Car pujas will not be performed from 7 am to 2 pm on this day.Seminar and Lecture SeriesbySadhvi ChaitanyaApril 5th & 6th , 2008Topic: Attitudes and ValuesExcerpts from the 13th chapter of the Bhagawad Geeta describingthe qualifications for a sadhaka to live a harmonious life.Saturday, April 5, 2008Meditation: 9 - 9:30 amLectures: 9:45 am to 12:30 pmSunday, April 6, 2008Meditation: 9 - 9:30 amLectures: 9:45 am to 12:30 pm(All sessions held in the Education Room at SSVT)Please mark the dates for the May, 08 LecturesSaturday 10th and Sunday 11th
April 200801 Tue. 7:00pm Utsava <strong>Sri</strong>nivasa Abhishekam (Sravana)02 Wed. 7:00 pm Anantapadmanabha Abhishekam (Ekadasi)03 Thu. 7:00 pm <strong>Siva</strong> Abhishekam (Mahapradosham)04 Fri. 10:00am Mahalakshmi Abhishekam05 Sat. Amavasya (Uttarabhadrapadha)06 Sun. UGADI (please see details)Vasanta Navaratri Begins (please see details)10:00 am Special <strong>Sri</strong>nivasa Kalyanam08 Tue. 9:30 am Utsava Subrahmanya Abhishekam (Krittika)09 Wed. 9:30 am Mahaganapati Homam & Abhishekam (Chaturthi)10:00 am Krishna Abhishekam (Rohini)10 Thu. 9:30 am Subrahmanya Abhishekam (Shashti)11 Fri. 10:00 am Parvati Abhishekam (*)12 Sat. 7:30 am Chandi Homam10:00 am Rama Abhishekam (Punarvasu)13 Sun. Mesha Month Begins9:30 am Ayyappa Puja10:00 am Tamil & Tulu New Year & Vishu (please see details)<strong>Sri</strong> Rama Navami Day – Festival Begins(please see details)Vasanta Navaratri Concludes15 Tue. 7:00 pm Anantapadmanabha Abhishekam (Ekadasi)16 Wed. 10:00 am Andal Abhishekam (Purvaphalguni)17 Thu. 9:30 am Ayyappa Puja (Uttaraphalguni)7:00 pm <strong>Siva</strong> Abhishekam (Mahapradosham)18 Fri. 10:00 am Sarada Abhishekam (*)7:15 pm Bhagawati Seva19 Sat. 10:30 am Meenakshi Kalyanam (Chitra Poornima)(please see details)4:00 pm Visesha Sat.yanarayana Puja20 Sun. 11:00 am Sita Kalyanam21 Mon. 9:30 am Sudarsana/ Yoga Narasimha Homam &Abhishekam (Swati)22 Tue. 9:30 am Utsava Subrahmanya Abhishekam (Vishaka)Weekly Abhishekams(at 9:30 am except as noted)Daily AM Ayyappa, <strong>Siva</strong> and AnantapadmanabhaMonday - Ganesha, <strong>Sri</strong> RamaTuesday - Durga, AnjaneyaWednesday - Andal, Sarada, NavagrahasThursday - Krishna, SubrahmanyaFriday - Mahalakshmi, Parvati, Sudarshana/Yoga NarasimhaSaturday - Venkateshwara (10:15 am)Weekly AradhanasTuesday <strong>Sri</strong> Rama (7:45 pm) & Hanuman Chaleesa (8:00 pm)Friday Lalitha Sahasranamam to Parvati (7:15 pm)Friday Mahalakshmi Aradhana (8:00 pm)MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridayWeekly Sahasranama Archanas(at 5:15 pm except as noted)Ganesha, <strong>Siva</strong>, RamaDurga, Subrahmanya, AnjaneyaAndal, Anantapadmanabha, AyyappaSarada, Krishna, VenkateshwaraMahalakshmi (5:15 pm) & Parvati (7:15 pm)Religious Calendar223 Wed. 9:30 am Mahaganapati Homam (Sankatahara Chaturthi)7:00 pm Ganesha Abhishekam (Sankatahara Chaturthi)25 Fri. 10:00 am Anjaneya Abhishekam (Moola)10:00 am Durga Abhishekam26 Sat. 9:30 am Subrahmanya Abhishekam (Shashti)27 Sun. 9:30 am Navagraha Homam & Abhishekam10:30 am PUJA BY CHILDREN (please see details)28 Mon. 9:30 am Nataraja Abhishekam (Chitra Sravana)10:00 am Utsava <strong>Sri</strong>nivasa Abhishekam (Sravana)(*) please note the change from Annual CalendarMay 200801 Thu. 7:00 pm Anantapadmanabha Abhishekam (Ekadasi)02 Fri. 10:00 am Mahalakshmi Abhishekam7:00 pm <strong>Siva</strong> Abhishekam (Mahapradosham)03 Sat. 4:00 pm <strong>Sri</strong>nivasa Kalyanam04 Sun. Amavasya (Ashwini)06 Tue. Utsava Subrahmanya Abhishekam (Krittika)07 Wed. Akshaya Tritiya Puja (please see details)(**)9:30 am <strong>Siva</strong> Abhishekam (Basava <strong>Jayanthi</strong>)08 Thu. 9:30 am Mahaganapati Homam & Abhishekam (Chaturthi)<strong>Sri</strong> Ramanuja <strong>Jayanthi</strong> (Ardra)(please see details)09 Fri. 10:00 am Sarada Abhishekam10:00 am Rama Abhishekam (Punarvasu)<strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Sankara</strong> <strong>Jayanthi</strong> (Panchami) (please see details)10 Sat. 9:00 am <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Sankara</strong> <strong>Jayanthi</strong> Celebration (please see details)9:30 am Basava <strong>Jayanthi</strong> Celebration (please see details)10:00 am Subrahmanya Abhishekam (Shashti)13 Tue. 10:00 am Andal Abhishekam (Purvaphalguni)14 Wed. Vrishabha Mon.th Begins9:30 am Ayyappa Puja (Uttaraphalguni)(**) Krishna Abhishekam (Rohini) will be part of Akshaya Tritiya Puja(Rest of May in next newsletter)Your Special Day PujaWe all have special days in our lives like birthdays, wedding anniversaries,etc. To offer our gratitude and prayers to the Lord onthose days, the temple is offering a “One Day Puja Sponsorship” toall devotees. Under this program all the Pujas from Suprabathamto the closing of the temple will be performed in the devotee’s andtheir family member’s name on that special day. In addition whenthe devotees visit the temple that day a special archana will beperformed to their chosen Deity (Ishta Devata) or all deities. Thisprogram offers the devotees the opportunity to sponsor all the pujason the chosen day. Devotees may sponsor this annually for a donationof $501. Alternatively devotees may make a lifetime donation of$10,001 to cover the special day pujas during the devotee’s lifetime.May the Deities of the temple bless us all. For more details pleasecontact Raj Rajagopal at 301-983-6858.SSVT – Cultural Committee is looking for Volunteers to helpin various activities of Cultural Committee. The activitiesencompass Artists Hosting, Logistics, Recording, Managingthe gate and selling tickets/pass. Anyone interested, pleasecontact Kannan Subramanian (703) 266-6242kannan.subramanian@att.net.
Vasantha Navaratri(Sun., April 6, 2008 to Sun., April 13, 2008)Daily Program:11:00 am Trishathi Archana, Durga Sapta Shati Parayanam(4 PM on Sun., April 6 and 7 AM on Sat., April 12as part of the Chandi Homam Parayanam )7:15 pm Lalitha Sahasranama Archana, Deeparadhana,Mahishasura Mardini Stotram, Devi Namaskaram(6 PM on Saturdays and Sundays)8:30 pm Prasadam distribution(Evening Puja will begin at 6:00 PM on Sunday April 6 and Saturday April 12)Special Pujas:Sunday, April 67:00 am MahaGanapati Homam & Devi Pancha Sukta Homam,Raksha Bandhanam, Mritsangrahanam, Ankuraarpanam,Purvanga Puja, Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati AavaahanamMonday, April 79:00 am Lalitha Sahasranama Homam, Parvati AbhishekamTuesday, April 89:00 am Durga Sukta Homam, Durga AbhishekamWednesday, April 99:00 am Medha Sukta Homam, Sarada & Andal AbhishekamsThursday, April 109:00 am Devi Panchasukta Homam, Devi Moola MantraHomam, Andal AbhishekamFriday, April 119:00 am Swayamvara BalaParvati Homam, Kubera LakshmiHomam, Parvati & Mahalakshmi AbhishekamsSaturday, April 127:00 am Chandi Homam11:00 am Kanya, Suhasini and Bhairava Puja12:30 pm Durga AbhishekamSunday, April 138:30 am Lalitha Trishati Homam9:30 am Durga, Mahalakshmi & Sarada Abhishekams(Concluding day of Vasantha Navaratri)Sponsorship:Sahasranama Archana $15, One Abhishekam $25, Chandi Homam$25, One day’s Puja $35, One day Sapta Shati Parayanam$25,Nine days Sapta Shati Parayanam $51, Kanya, Suhasini, BhairavaPuja $51(each), Entire Navaratri Puja $151.<strong>Sri</strong> Rama Navami Festival(Sunday, April 13 – Monday, April 21)The temple will celebrate the festivalover a nine-day period. In the eveningNama Ramayanam will be chantedfollowed by Hanuman Chaleesa. SundaraKanda from Valmiki Ramayanamwill be read by the priests everyday and all devotees are welcome toparticipate in this reading. BhadrachalaRaamadas was a great saint devoteeof Lord Rama. Devotional songscomposed by him will be sung duringthe Aradhana to this saint, whichwill be followed by Sita Kalyanam onSunday, April 20.There will also be achildren’s cultural program from 2 pm to 4 pm on Saturday.Daily Program:9:30 am Sankshepa Ramayana Homam, <strong>Sri</strong> Rama Moola3Mantra Homam5:15 pm Valmiki Sundara Kaanda Paaraayanam7:30 pm Naama Ramayanam and Hanuman Chaleesa(6.30 PM on Saturday – April 19 th and Sunday April 20 th )<strong>Sri</strong> Rama Navami Day (Sun., April 13, 2008)9:00 am Vishwaksena Aaradhana, Punyahavachanam,Suprabatham, Mritsangrahanam, Rakshabandanam,Ankurarpanam, Nitya Homam,Kalasa Staapanam, RamaJanana parayanam, Beeja Daanam, <strong>Sri</strong> RamaAbhishekam, Naama Ramayanam, Archana12:01 pm Deeparadhana and Prasadam distribution7:30 pm Naama Ramayanam, Vishesha Aarati and Hanuman ChaleesaBhadrachala Raamadas Aradhana and Sita Kalyanam (Sunday,April 20, 2008)10: 00 am Bhadrachala Raamadas Aradhana11:00 am Sita Kalyanam1:00 pm Akhanda Rama Naama Parayanam (until 8:30 PM)<strong>Sri</strong> Rama Navami Festival Conclusion (Monday, April 21, 2008)7:00 pm <strong>Sri</strong> Rama Abhishekam and Pattabhishekam, NaamaRamayanam, <strong>Sri</strong> Anjaneya Puja and Hanuman Chaaleesa8:30 pm Prasadam distributionVishu, Tamil & Tulu New Year(Sarvadhaari Samvatsara)(Sunday, April 13, 2008)Vishu signifies the entry of sun into Mesha Raasi and it is believed tobring good luck if one views auspicious things the first thing in themorning. Hence on this day in Kerala, homesare beautifully decorated and auspiciousitems are kept at the family altar. Tamil andTulu New year are celebrated by worshipingthe family deities, preparation of sweetand other delicacies and the reading of the Panchanga (ReligiousAlmanac).8:30 am Suprabatham, Ganapathi Homam, Lalitha Trishati Homam9:30 am Vishu Kani, Abhishekam to Durga,Mahalakshmi and Sarada10:00 am Ayyappa Puja, AnanthaPadmanabha, Ganesha, <strong>Siva</strong> &Utsava Subramanya Abhishekams, Archana, Deeparadhana11:30 am Panchanga Patanam & Prasadam DistributionSponsorship: Ayyappa Puja or one Abhishekam $25, Entire day Puja $51.Meenakshi Kalyanam(Saturday, April 19, 2008)The union of Lord <strong>Siva</strong> with Parvati in the form of Meenakshi tookplace in Madurai on the Chitra Poornima day. This union is celebratedin many of the <strong>Siva</strong> temples around the world as Meenakshi Kalyanam.Lord <strong>Vishnu</strong>, who is the brother of Meenakshi, gave away the bride toLord <strong>Siva</strong>. Hence in our temple which is dedicated to <strong>Siva</strong> and <strong>Vishnu</strong>(and their families) this festival has an added significance. There willalso be a children’s cultural program from 2 to 3:30 pm in our auditoriumwhich includes a dance-drama of Meenakshi Kalyanam.9:00 am Ganesha Puja, <strong>Siva</strong>-Parvati Abhishekam, <strong>Siva</strong> Stotrams,Meenakshi Pancharatna Stotram, Archana, Deeparadhana10:30 am Wedding Procession, Meenakshi Kalyanam1:00 pm Prasadam Distribution2–3:30 pm Cultural ProgramSponsorship: Abhishekam $25, Kalyanam $25,Abhishekam & Kalyanam $35.
Puja by Children(Sunday, April 27, 2008)10:30 am. Slokas by Children, Ganesha and Saraswati Puja by Children.12:15 pm. Talk or Story telling (Topic of interest to children & youngadults). There is no sponsorship for this Puja. All the materials andinstructions will be provided. All children and young adults are encouragedto participate.Akshaya Tritiya(Wednesday, May 7, 2008)Akshaya Tritiya is Parasurama Jayanti, where Parasurama is one of theAvatarams of Maha <strong>Vishnu</strong>. <strong>Vishnu</strong>, in this avataram of Parasuramakilled evil kings for the welfare of people. On this day of AkshayaTritiya, where akshaya means growth and tritiya is the third tithi, Parasuramais remembered. Any ritual done on that day leads to growth.Traditionally, jewelry and ornaments are bought on that day so thatthey lead to an increase in wealth. Gandha (Chandanam) Alankaramis done to Lord Krishna so that it cools the body in the hot summerlunar month of Vaishaka. Chandana Abhimanidevita is Lakshmi andchandana alankaram done to the Lord increases our wealth. The traditionof putting ornaments before God and taking them as Prasadamalso causes the growth.9:30 am Abhishekam to Krishna, Chandana Alankaram7:00 pm <strong>Vishnu</strong> Sahasranama Parayanam, Archana & Arati8:30 pm Deeparadhana, Prasadam DistributionSponsorship: Abhishekam $25.<strong>Sri</strong> Ramanuja <strong>Jayanthi</strong>(Thursday, May 8, 2008)9:00 am Vishwaksena Aradhana, <strong>Sri</strong> Anantapadmanabha and <strong>Sri</strong>Ramanuja Thirumanjanam, Shodasha Upachaara AcharyaPuja, Deeparadhana, Acharya Stotram & Divya PrabandhaParayanam11:30 am Prasadam DistributionSponsorship : $25.<strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Sankara</strong> <strong>Jayanthi</strong>(Friday, May 9, 2008)9:00 am (onwards) Ganesha Puja, Kalasa Sthapanam, RudraParayanam, Rudram homam, Procession of Kalasam &Adi <strong>Sankara</strong>10:00 am <strong>Siva</strong> Abhishekam, Shodasha Upachara <strong>Sri</strong> Adi <strong>Sankara</strong>Puja, Deeparadhana, Totakaashtakam, Guru PaadukaStotram11:30 am Prasadam DistributionSponsorship : Rudra Homam $25 <strong>Siva</strong> Abhishekam & <strong>Sri</strong> Adi <strong>Sankara</strong>Puja $25, Homam & Abhishekam $35.<strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Sankara</strong> <strong>Jayanthi</strong> Celebration(Saturday, May 10, 2008)(in Homa Kundam Room)9:00 am (onwards) Ganesha Puja, Shodasha Upachara <strong>Sri</strong> Adi<strong>Sankara</strong> Puja, Deeparadhana, Totakaashtakam, GuruPaaduka Stotram11:30 am Procession of Adi <strong>Sankara</strong>, Archana to <strong>Siva</strong> & DeeparadhanaSponsorship : <strong>Sri</strong> Adi <strong>Sankara</strong> Puja $25.SSVT’s Combined Federal Campaign(United Way) number is 47090Please use this number to donate to your temple through yourpayroll. This is one easy way of supporting your temple.4Basava <strong>Jayanthi</strong> Celebration(Saturday, May 10, 2008)SSVT along with Veerashaiva Samaja of North America- MD, VA andDC chapters and MD-VA-DC Kaveri Kannada Cultural Associationwill be celebrating Basava <strong>Jayanthi</strong> from 9.30 am to 2 pm. For information,please contact temple manager or Jagadeesh (301-208-8260).9:30 am <strong>Siva</strong> Abhishekam, Archana, Deeparadhana10: 45 am Cultural Program (in the auditorium)Sponsorship: $25.SSVT Community ServiceBhagavan’s MahanirvanaDevotees of Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi in the Washington D.C.area will be observing the 58th anniversary of Bhagavan’s Mahanirvanaon Saturday, May 10, 2008 at Homakundam Room in SSVTfrom 5 pm to 9 pmThe program will include a short reading fromBhagavan’s talks,Bhajans and meditation.Sandwiches for Homeless! – April 12, 2008Every second Saturday of each month, volunteers make sandwichesand deliver them to the shelter in DC. Children and adults of all agescan help. Please call T. Kamala at 301-770-2406.Mitra MandalaMitra Mandala offers free community service providing confidentialand professional counseling and senior services for families in need.Please contact Aparna Ramaswamy at 301-963-5051 or aparna@susheelam.com for counseling and R.G. Nagarajan at 301-279-9328rgnagarajan@yahoo.com for support services.Special Needs Children Support GroupIf you have or know of someone who has a child with special needs(autism, PDD etc.) or if you can provide services to special needs children,please contact Pattabiraman at 240-476-1542 (weekdays between8 and 10pm) or Raj Rajagopal (301-983-6858) or join the Yahoo group(http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/helpforourkids/)Shirdi Sai Baba BajansShirdi Sai Baba Bajans at the <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Siva</strong> <strong>Vishnu</strong> <strong>Temple</strong> every 3rd Thursdayof the month. For more information please contact Shobha Prasad240-568-9151 or Subramanyam Mekala 240-432-1426Public Transportation to the <strong>Temple</strong>One can reach the temple by using a combination of Metro rail andBus services. Take Metro rail to New Carrollton Metro Station or tothe Greenbelt Metro Station and take the BUS (Prince Georges countybus service) no. THE BUS 15, 15 express, Metro T16 or T 17.Bus stops are located about half a mile (10 minutes walk) fromtemple. You have to get off at either Doctors Community Hospital(Greenbelt and Cipriano Rd.) or at the Good Luck Rd. and CiprianoRd. stop and walk half mile to the templeDonation Statements for 2007The temple will not be mailing the annual donation statements.Devotees may obtain a comprehensive statement for their 2007donations from the temple website www.ssvt.org by clicking ondonations. Please follow the instructions to access and print yourstatements. For assistance please contact the following: SreenivasaKumar, sreenivasa.s.kumar@gmail.com Ph: 703-277-3467 or SasiChandar Ph: 301-983-0627. To ensure that your donations for thecurrent year are correctly credited to your name, please make sure thatthe temple has the correct address on file, also make sure the checksyou write have the current address on them.
SSVT Education Programs . . .Ramayana – what I likeA presentation by Children from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm in the Auditorium.Contact ssvtkids@yahoo.com.A Survey of Indian Philosophical systemsPresented by Dr. B. N. Hebbar on Mar. 15, 22, 29, Apr. 12, 26; from3:00 pm to 6:00 pm and on Apr 5, 19; from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.This course covers a survey of all Philosophical systems in Indiastarting from Vedic religion, Buddhism, Jainism, Samkhya, Mimamsa,Yoga, and the three major schools of Vedanta. This courseoffers a comprehensive and comparative overview of all the majorPhilosophical systems in India and shows the development of thoughtin Indian Philosophical Systems. The analysis of all the systems isdeveloped through a structured 6-fold method of “metaphysical analysisof epistemology [doctrine of Knowledge], ontology [doctrine ofReality], theology [doctrine of God], cosmology [doctrine of the Universe],psychology [doctrine of the soul] and soteriology [doctrine ofSalvation]. This is one of the courses he teaches at the local universities.This course will give an excellent grounding in Indian Philosophy.People who have taken this course are full of praise and highlyrecommend this course to others. This is a free course and donationsto SSVT are most welcome.Introduction to Vastu ShastraPresented by Dr. Dwivedi on Apr. 19; from 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm.Dr. Dwivedi will present an introduction to Vastu Shastra as a scienceand highlight its many benefits. Dr. Dwivedi views the whole universeas a manifestation of cosmic energies. If we are able to comprehendand conceive the flow of these energies, we can make changesin our house and surroundings that will positively affect our health,prosperity, and spiritual progress. He has propagated the system ofmeditation for removal of Vastu defects. Dr. Dwivedi has served asPresident/Chairman of several global Astrological & Spiritual organizations.Dr. Dwivedi provides Vastu services all over the world.Learning to sing religious compositions1 st and 3 rd Saturdays of Every Month –Apr. 5, 19; 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.Mrs. Subhadra Keshavamurthy will be teaching many compositions,sung in Ragas. In October, this will begin with Devi Panchadashi.Even those who have not learned music formally are welcome to joinSSVT has established an Endowment to promote the Hindu heritageand ensure the long term financial stability of SSVT. The Endowmentprincipal is protected and the Endowment is professionally managed.You can contribute to the endowment by setting up lifetime pujasfor the deities of your choice or you can perform lifetime pujas onspecific dates of the year such as birthdays and anniversaries. Theprasadams will be mailed to you, if you are unable to attend. You cancontribute cash or you can use estate planning mechanisms.You can choose one or more of the following mechanisms.Charitable Income or Lead Trusts:The income is assigned to the <strong>Temple</strong>, usually for a period of years, andthen the remainder generally passes to the donor’s heirs.Asset Replacement Trust:The Asset Replacement Trust is a potential “win-win-win” mechanism.You donate an asset to SSVT endowment. You get income tax benefitsfor your donation. Life insurance is then bought for the equivalentvalue of the asset. Eventually, the insurance proceeds (the value ofthe asset) is passed to your heirs, income and potentially estate taxfree as well. With this trust, you can provide for both your heirs andSSVT from your estate.SSVT Endowment5Learn More About Your Roots & Culturein, and begin learning music in bhakti.Brahma Sutra Series —2 nd and 4 th Saturday of Every Month– Apr. 12, 26; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.Mr. Jayakrishna Nelamangala will continue his bimonthly session of theBrahma Sutras in the Aakaar Room.Rig Veda Series —Apr. 5, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.Dr. Narendra Kumar will continue detailed discussion of Rig Vedaonce a month.Upanishad Series — Apr. 13, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm.Dr. Pradeep Kamath will continue with the discussion of the ChandogyaUpanishadSampradaaya Bhajan — Apr. 19, 5:00 pm –7:00 pm.Every Third Saturday in Aakaar Room Sampradaaya Bhajan sessions is held.Contact ramcumar@gmail.com or thailar@yahoo.com for further details.Holistic/Complimentary Medicine — Homeopathy,Naturopathy, Acupressure, Nutrition, Right Diet etc. – Apr. 6, 20;2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.Every First and Third Sunday in the Education room this class is held.Contact snarula.geo@yahoo.com or call (301)464-6977Bhagavatam explanationsBy Dr. Thaila Ramanathan every Sat., 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm.In Bhagavtam we will start Seventh Canto – The story of Prahlaada,Narasimhaavataaram. The best Bhagavata who got nurturedwhile in the womb and whose call The Lord heard and incarnated asNarasimha. In “Vaishnava Samhita”, work of <strong>Sri</strong> Krishna Premi Maharajwho has sung the story of Devotees from various parts of Bharatin simple samskRutam. We will start the story of Saint Tyagaraja.Seniors Club Meetings — Apr. 9, 23; 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.The Club strives to enhance physical, mental, emotional, social, andspiritual well-being of all members through education, training, entertainment,and other assistance to attain successful aging. The currentprograms include training in GentleYoga for seniors (10-11am), talksby members or invited guests on successful aging, music, Bhajansetc. (11am-1pm), and lunch (1-2pm). For further information pleasesend email to seniorsdc@yahoo.com or snarula.geo@yahoo.com.Gifts of Life Insurance.You do not need an estate plan to contribute a gift of life insurance.You can purchase a new life insurance policy or designate SSVT asthe beneficiary of an existing policy which you currently own, butno longer need. If the <strong>Temple</strong> is designated as the policy owner, thepremiums may be tax deductible.Gifts of appreciated assets.Stocks, bonds, mutual funds and real estate provide an excellentmeans of making gifts to the <strong>Temple</strong>. You may at once avoid capitalgains taxes and obtain significant income tax deduction.Designate <strong>Temple</strong> as a beneficiaryin your IRA or 401(k).Leaving retirement plan benefits such as Individual Retirement Account(IRA) or 401(k) plan, to heirs other than one’s spouse may result insubstantial payment of federal and state income taxes, federal and stateestate taxes. By designating <strong>Temple</strong> as the beneficiary of the RetirementPlan Benefits you may be able to get substantial tax benefits.Please include SSVT in your estate plans and preserve your religiousand cultural heritage for your future generations. Please consult yourfinancial advisor or call (301) 983-6858 or (301) 646-1232 or (703)204-0558 for more details.