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November 2020Newsletter Vol 29, No. 11

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

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

Sri Siva Vishnu Temple

Naraka ChaturdasiFriday, November 13, 2020Lord Krishna, with the help of his wife Satyabhama, vanquished the evil demon (asura) Naraka on the 14th day of the waning moon. On this day, we thank Lord Krishna for his act of kindness and offer our prayers for continuing to keep our world free of evil forces. 10:00 am Thailabyanjanam to Lord Krishna (anointing with oil),

Abhishekam, Decoration of Lord Krishna with new clothes Nootana (vastradharanam), Archana, Deeparadhana

5:00 pm Deepotsavam, Mahalakshmi Kumkuma Archana, Mahalakshmi Stotra Parayanam, Deeparadhana

Sponsorship: $31

Deepavali 2020Friday, November 13 - Saturday, November 14, 2020Deepavali is cele-brated in different ways in many parts of India. The cele-bration represents light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ig-norance. in Bengal, it is celebrated as Kaali Puja. In most other parts, it is observed by performing Lakshmi-Kubera Puja. Friday, November 13, 202010:00 am Kalasa Puja, Mahalakshmi Abhishekam, Ashttotara, Aradhana

Deeparadhana Saturday, November 14, 20209:30 am Venkateshwara/Balaji Abhishekam6:30 pm Deepotsavam, Lakshmi-Kubera Puja (Mahalakshmi Kumkuma

Archana), Mahalakshmi Stotra Parayanam, DeeparadhanaSponsorship: Any one Puja on Friday or Saturday - $31; Entire program - $151

COVID-19 Temple Operations Update: As of publication, the temple is in Modified Phase 1 of Reopening.

Devotee Visit Registration Link: https://www.cognitoforms.com/SriSivaVishnuTemple/SSVTDevoteeVisitRegistrationDevotees and visitors are required to register for a 15 minute Darshan only visit Monday-Friday, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, and Saturday and Sunday between 12:30 pm to 6:00 pm. Please note, Seniors Only Visiting Hours are available. Family accompanying Senior devotees are also allowed to register and visit the temple. Visit our website for the latest information! Operationally, our Priests will continue to conduct all religious programs including Nithya pujas, outside of Devotee Darshan Hours. Religious services and pujas are being live streamed for free (details on page 2). NOTE, the timings and details of religious programs and services detailed in this newsletter are subject to change; please visit our website the latest schedule of events and for the live stream schedule. Education classes continue to be held online (details on pages 9). All in-person Cultural events and programs are suspended. Please adhere to local, state, and federal authorities and exercise caution. Thank you!

Combined Federal Campaign 2021 (CFC)SSVT is approved to particpate in CFC 2021. U.S. Federal Employees are encouraged to make their tax-deductible contributions to charites ap-proved by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), including SSVT. The CFC open solicitation period runs from September 1, 2020 to January 15, 2021. SSVT is approved by OPM: SSVT CFC# 47090

Skanda Shashti FestivalSunday, November 15 - Saturday, November 21, 2020Skanda Shashti marks the triumph of Lord Subrahmanya over the evil Sura Padma. The son of Lord Siva killed the demon Sura Padma with His Holy Spear (Vel) and brought relief and joy to the suffering celestials and humans. Allegorically the Vel represents the Jnaana Shakti (Power of Wisdom) of the Lord and Sura Padma the demon of Ego and Igno-rance within us. Lord Subrahmanya is hence considered to be the lord of wisdom who dispels our ego and ignorance. The devotees of Muruga (as Lord Subrahmanya) observe austerities such as fast and mounavratham starting from the day of Prathama Thithi to (and including) Skanda Shasti day. The Shashti Vratham begins on Sunday, November 15 and ends on Saturday, November 21. The day after Skanda Shashti is celebrated as Devasena Kalyanam. Participation in these Archanas and Homam is believed to ward off evil and usher in peace and prosperity.Daily Program: Sunday, November 15, 20209:30 am Anugnay, Mahaganapati Homam, Subrahmanya Moola

Mantra Homam, Shatru Samhara Trishati Homam11:00 am Subrahmanya Abhishekam, Archana, Deeparadhana6:00 pm Sahasranama Archana, Shatru Samhara Trishati Archana8:00 pm DeeparadhanaMonday, November 16 - Thursday, November 19, 20209:30 am Subrahmanya Moola Mantra Homam11:00 am Subrahmanya Abhishekam Archana, Deeparadhana 6:00 pm Sahasranama Archana Shatru, Samhaara Trisati Archana,

Skanda Shashti Kavacham Parayanam, Deeparadhana8:00 pm Bhajans by devotees Friday, November 20, 2020 (Skanda Shashti Day) 9:30 am Shatru Samhaara Trisati Homam, Kaavadi Procession 10:00 am Paal Kudam 11:00 am Sarva Dravya Subrahmanya Abhishekam, Archana,

Deeparadhana 6:00 pm Shatru Samhaara Trisati Archana, Skanda Shashti Kavacham

Parayanam7:30 pm Lord Subrahmanya procession 8:00 pm Enactment of Soora Samhaaram in the Vasantha Mandapam 8:30 pm Deeparadhana Note: Kavadi procession and Paal Kudam will happen only if the temple

is in pre-COVID 19 operating hours

(Continued on page 3 - see Skanda Shashti Festival )

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RELIGIOUS CALENDAR (Visit our website for Livestream Schedule)

November 2020Sun 1 10:00 AM Utsava Subrahmanya Abhishekam - KrittikaTue 3 9:30 AM Ganesha Homam - Sankatahara Chaturthi

10:00 AM Krishna Abhishekam - Rohini5:15 PM Ganesha Abhishekam - Sankatahara Chaturthi

Fri 6 10:00 AM Subrahmanya Abhishekam - Shashti10:00 AM Mahalakshmi Abhishekam10:00 AM Sri Rama Abhishekam - Punarvasu

Sat 7 6:30 PM Srinivasa Kalyanam Tue 10 10:00 AM Andal Abhishekam - Poorva PhalguniWed 11 10:00 AM Ayyappa Puja - Uttara Phalguni

5:15 PM Ananthapadmanabha Abhishekam - Ekadashi Thu 12 5:15 PM Siva Abhishekam - Pradosham Fri 13 10:00 AM Sarada Abhishekam

NARAKA CHATURDASHI - SEE DETAILSSat 14 9:30 AM Sudarshana / Yoga Narasimha Homam - Swathi

10:00 AM Utsava Subrahmanya Abhishekam - Vishaakha 6:30 PM Sudarshana / Yoga Narasimha Abhishekam - Swathi

DEEPAVALI CELEBRATIONKEDAR GOWRI VRATAM

Sun 15 10:00 AM Ayyappa PujaSKANDA SHASHTI FESTIVAL BEGINS - SEE DETAILS

Mon 16 AYYAPPA MANDALA PUJA BEGINS - SEE DETAILS5:15 PM Siva Abhishekam - Kartika Somavara

Tue 17 10:00 AM Anjaneya Abhishekam - Mula Wed 18 9:30 AM Ganesha Homam - Chaturthi

10:30 AM Ganesha Abhishekam - ChaturthiThu 19 5:30 PM Aadi Shankara Puja - Shukla PanchamiFri 20 10:00 AM Utsava Srinivasa Abhishekam - Shravana

10:00 AM Parvathi Abhishekam5:15 PM Bhagavati Seva

GURU TRANSITION - SEE DETAILSSat 21 SPECIAL AYYAPPA PUJA

SKANDA SHASHTI FESTIVAL CONCLUDESSun 22 SPECIAL AYYAPPA PUJA

9:30 AM Navagraha Homam10:30 AM Navagraha Abhishekam

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

NOTE: A majority, if not all pujas will be livestreamed - please visit our website for the latest livestream schedule. Pujas will be live streamed on Facebook (https://facebook.com/ssvtTempleDC) and/or YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/c/SSVTStreaming). Programs may also be livestreamed on our second YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXzLNvwXrFii-eWmDs4LpmAPlease subscribe to all our channels! Visit our website at https://www.ssvt.org to learn where and when particular livestreams will occur.Puja Sponsorships are available online or by calling (301) 552 -3335. Please consider donating to help preserve our temple during this time.

Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Aradhana Center at SSVTSri Siva Vishnu Temple’s dedicated Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Aradhana Center is now open in the Aakaar area. This Aradhana Center was inaugurated on Vijaya Dasami Day, Monday October 7, 2019 at 6:30 pm. Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Aradhana and Bhajans will be held at SSVT every Thursday and on Weekends. For more information and to participate please contact: Sreekumar Sreedharan 703-622-5542; Shobha Prasad 240-568-9151; Mythili Bachu 301-526-5135; Sridevi Umesh 301-560-3102; Srini Tirumalasetti 443-540-4110; Rohini Homnappa 240-441-1266; Sujatha Badrinath 301-805-1943.

SSVT SENIOR CITIZENS MEET UP (Now on ZOOM - contact Satish Bhandari)The SSVT Senior Citizens Group meets twice a month on the second and fourth Wednesday in the Education room from 11 am to 1 pm followed by a potluck lunch in the cafeteria. We invite all seniors 55+ to join us at the meetings and share our seniors-related common interests. We invite speakers from within and outside the group to talk on topics of interest to senior citizens, such as those related to health, religion, finance, legal matters. vacation travel, etc. We also hold programs such as music & comedy, picnics and bus trips which would help promote social interaction between members of the group. For more information please contact: Sudarshan Gupta at 301-262-5031 or Sudarshan_gupta@yahoo.com, Satish Bhandari at 301-464-7381 or seniorcitizensgroup@gmail.com, Sharan Prasad at 301-464-1475 or prasadsharan@ymail.com, Ramesh Godbole at 301-459-5942 or rameshgodbole@yahoo.com.

Wed 25 5:15 PM Ananthapadmanabha Abhishekam - EkadashiThu 26 TULASI KALYANAM - SEE DETAILSFri 27 10:00 AM Durga Abhishekam

5:15 PM Siva Abhishekam - PradoshamSat 28 SPECIAL AYYAPPA PUJASun 29 SPECIAL AYYAPPA PUJA

10:00 AM Utsava Subrahmanya Abhishekam - Krittika5:00 PM Satyanarayana Puja - Poornima

KAARTIKA & VISHNU DEEPAMMon 30 10:00 AM Krishna Abhishekam - Rohini

5:15 PM Siva Abhishekam - Kartika Somavara

December 2020Thu 3 9:30 AM Ganesha Homam - Sankatahara Chaturthi

10:00 AM Sri Rama Abhishekam - Punarvasu5:15 PM Ganesha Abhishekam - Sankatahara Chaturthi

Fri 4 10:00 AM Mahalakshmi AbhishekamSat 5 SPECIAL AYYAPPA PUJA

10:00 AM Subrahmanya Abhishekam - Shashti6:30 PM Srinivasa Kalyanam

Sun 6 SPECIAL AYYAPPA PUJAMon 7 10:00 AM Andal Abhishekam - Poorva Phalguni

5:15 PM Siva Abhishekam - Kartika SomavaraTue 8 10:00 AM Ayyappa Puja - Uttara PhalguniThu 10 5:15 PM Ananthapadmanabha Abhishekam - EkadashiFri 11 9:30 AM Sudarshana / Yoga Narasimha Homam - Swathi

10:00 AM Sarada Abhishekam10:30 AM Sudarshana / Yoga Narasimha Abhishekam - Swathi

Sat 12 SPECIAL AYYAPPA PUJA10:00 AM Utsava Subrahmanya Abhishekam - Vishaakha

4:15PM Siva Abhishekam - Sani Maha Pradosham Sun 13 SPECIAL AYYAPPA PUJA

Rest of December in December Newsletter

Homeless SEVA, Sandwich Program, Second SaturdaysEach 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 contact Ranjith at reachranjith@gmail.com / 234-567-9703 or Tribhuvannath Mishra at Jaithm@gmail.com /571-214-3198.

SSVT COMMUNITY SERVICE (Supended until further notice)

DAILY ABHISHEKAMSDaily: 9:30 AM Ayyappa, Ananthapadmanabha

10:00 AM Siva

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Daily Puja Schedule: 9:30 am - 11:00 am Ayyappa Puja (Abhishekam, Ashtothra Archana,

Deeparadhana) 7:00pm - 9:00pm Sahasranama Stotram, Athaazha Puja, Seeveli,

HarivarasanamSpecial Ayyappa Puja Schedule: 8:00 am Irumudi Preparation & Climbing of the Holy Steps;

Suprabhatham9:00 am Climbing of the Holy Steps & Neyyabhishekam11:00 am Alankaram, Bhajan, Sahasranamam, Ashtothram, Ayyappa

Ashtakam, Kavacham, Deeparadhana, Namaskaram, Padi paatu, Deeparadhana, Temple Anthem

Please Note: Irumudi preparation & climbing of the Holy Steps are only on Special Ayyappa Puja Days (see page 2). Please arrive at the tem-ple by 8:00 am on those days.Sunday, November 15, 20209:30 am Bimba Sudhi7:00 pm Praasadha SudhiMonday, November 16, 2020Mandala Utsava Aarambham 8:00 am Ganapathi Homam9:00 am Dwaja Aarohanam9:30 am Sahasraabhishekam, Archana, Deeparadhana 7:00 pm Padi Puja8:00 pm Athaazha Puja, Seeveli, Harivaraasanam Saturday, November 21, 20208:00 am Special Ayyappa PujaSunday, November 22, 20208:00 am Special Ayyappa Puja; PushpaalankaramSaturday, November 28, 20208:00 am Special Ayyappa Puja7:00 pm Pushpabhishekam, Seeveli, HarivarasanamSunday, November 29, 20208:00 am Special Ayyappa Puja6:00 pm Thrikaartika Deepam, Seeveli, HarivarasanamDecember 5, 6, 12, 13, 20208:00 am Special Ayyappa PujaSaturday, December 19, 20208:00 am Special Ayyappa Puja, KalabhaabhishekamDecember 20, 25, 20208:00 am Special Ayyappa PujaSaturday, December 26, 20208:00 am Special Ayyappa Puja, Mandala Puja, Nirmalya Darsanam,

Abhishekam, Archana, Deeparadhana7:00 pm Bhajan, Sahasranama Stotram, Deeparadhana, Athazha Puja,

Seeveli with Thalapoli, Bhasmabhishekam, Harivarasanam

Rest of schedule in December Newsletter

Saturday, November 21, 2020 (Devasena Kalyanam Day) 10:00 am Devasena Kalyana Utsavam; Conclusion of Skanda Shashti

FestivalSponsorship: Daily Puja - $51/day; Homam - $31/day; Kaavadi or Milk Kalasam - $31/day; Kalyanam - $31; Shashti Day Puja - $61; Entire Program - $175

Guru TransitionFriday, November 20, 2020 at 3:33 AMAmong the Navagrahas (nine heavenly bodies), the movement of Guru (Jupiter) and Sani (Saturn) are of special interest, as they are slower moving planets and have more noticeable effects. Guru normally makes a transit once a year whereas Sani takes about two and half years to do so. Sometimes, the transits may occur more often because of the retrogres-sive movements of these grahas. While the Gochara (transit) of these heavenly bodies from one Raasi (zodiac sign) to another affects all Raasis (either positively or negatively), we as beings realize the effects through our Chandra Raasi. Chandra represents our Manas (Mind). This year Guru makes a transit from Thula Raasi to Vrischikam on Friday, Novem-ber 20 at 03.33 AM. The effect of this transition is more pronounced for those undergoing the “Guru Dasa.”9:30 am Ganapathi Homam, Navagraha Homam with special

emphasis on Guru, Navagraha Abhishekam, Archana to Lord Dakshinamurthy and Guru

12:00 pm Deeparadhana5:30 pm Special Navagraha and Dakshinamurthy Archana Sponsorship: Homam- $31; Abhishekam - $31; Homam & Abhishekam - $51

Tulasi KalyanamThursday, November 26, 2020The Dwaadasi day (12th day of the lunar fortnight) following Deep-aavali is celebrated as Tulasi Kalyanam. Legend has it that Lord Krishna married Tulasi Devi that day. In many Udupi Krishna temples Tulasi Kalyanam is performed all 12 days in the Sri Madhwa tradition.5:15 pm Purvanga Puja, Sri Krishna Aradhana, Tulasi Puja, Tulasi

Kalyanam, Deeparadhana Sponsorship: $31

Thiruppaavai & ThiruvempaavaiTuesday, December 15 2020 - Wednesday, January 13, 2021 (Recitation by Devotees) Thiruppavai, the divine hymn on Lord Vishnu composed by Goddess Andal (the Divine incarnation of Mother Earth), and Thiruvempaavai the divine Hymn on Lord Siva composed by Saint Maanickavaasagar will be recited daily during the Hindu “Dhanus” month (December 15, 2020 - January 13, 2021) at 9:30 am.

2020-2021 Ayyappa Mandala Makarotsavam Schedule

Note: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the temple may close to devotees on short notice - please contact the temple prior to travel to en-sure the temple is open for Ayyappa Mandala Makarotsavam festivites.

(Continued from page 1 - Skanda Shashti Festival)

Personal/Group Purva Prayoga Pujas (via temple provided Zoom Video Conference) We are pleased to announce the ability to expand our virtual services to include Personal Purva Prayoga Pu-jas. In addition to Nithya pujas and special pujas (streamed for free on our Facebook and YouTube channels, we hope these expanded personal service offerings will provide you and your family solace and peace during this trying time. The following pujas will be available for you and your family to sponsor and participate virtually through a temple provided Zoom video conference: Archanas, Abhishekams, Homams, Satyanarayana Puja, etc. Under current social distancing guidelines, we are unable to offer certain Personal Samskaras that may re-quire Yajamana in-person for the event. For more information, and to sponsor, please click here, or contact Sri Ananth Iyengar at puja@ssvt.org or (301) 552-3335

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6905 Cipriano Road, Lanham MD 20706Tel: (301) 552-3335 E-Mail: ssvt@ssvt.org

Web Site: https://www.ssvt.org

Sri Siva Vishnu Temple

DEEPAVALI 2020DEEPAVALI 2020Friday, November 13 - Saturday, November 14, 2020Friday, November 13 - Saturday, November 14, 2020

Deepavali is celebrated in different ways in many parts of India. The celebration represents light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance. In Bengal, it is celebrated as Kaali Puja. In most other parts it is observed by performing Lakshmi-Kubera PujaSPECIAL ARCHANAS DURING SPECIAL ARCHANAS DURING DARSHANDARSHANLakshmi Archana will be held every 15 minutes in Lakshmi Archana will be held every 15 minutes in the auditorium during devotee Darshan visits on the auditorium during devotee Darshan visits on Saturday, November 14. Mandatory registration Saturday, November 14. Mandatory registration required (required (no walk-ins allowedno walk-ins allowed) ) Register hereRegister hereSpecial Deepavali Sweet boxes will be availableSpecial Deepavali Sweet boxes will be available

Friday, November 13, 2020 (VIRTUAL over Zoom)10:00 AM Kalasa Puja, Mahalakshmi Abhishekam, Ashttotara, Aradhana and DeeparadhanaSaturday, November 14, 2020 (VIRTUAL over Zoom) 9:30 AM Venkateshwara/Balaji Abhishekam6:30 PM Deepotsavam, Lakshmi-Kubera Puja, (Mahalakshmi Kumkuma Archana),

Mahalakshmi Sthotra Parayanam, DeeparadhanaAll celebrations will be virtual for devotee safety. Devotees are encouraged to register for devotee participatory Lakshmi-Kubera Puja on Saturday November 14, 2020 at 6:30 PM. Sponsorship: $31 for any one puja on Friday or Saturday; Sponsorship: $31 for any one puja on Friday or Saturday; $101 for Balaji & Lakshmi Abhishekam and Lakshmi-Kubera puja$101 for Balaji & Lakshmi Abhishekam and Lakshmi-Kubera puja

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Scenes from Sharada Navaratri Puja and Celebrations October 17 - 25, 2020

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Resources for Devotees from SSVT COVID-19 Advisory Group

Helpful Websites

From World Health Organization (WHO): ◆ COVID-19 Advice for the Public: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-publicCOVID-19 Q&A https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses

From Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): ◆ COVID-19 General Resources: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

◆ How to Protect Yourself:https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html

From CDC- The White House - Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): ◆ Many Resources shared by the CDC, FEMA, and The White House can be found at this link: https://www.coronavirus.gov/

From The State of Maryland, District of Columbia, and State of Virginia: ◆ State of Maryland: https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/Maryland Testing Sites: https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/symptoms-testingMaryland Frequently Asked Questions: https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/#FAQMaryland COVIDConnect: https://health.maryland.gov/covidconnect/Pages/Home.aspx

◆ District of Columbia: https://coronavirus.dc.gov/District of Columbia Testing Sites: https://coronavirus.dc.gov/testingDistrict of Columbia COVID-19 Toolkit: https://coronavirus.dc.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-resources

◆ State of Virginia: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/Virginia Testing Sites: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-testing/covid-19-testing-sites/Virginia COVIDCHECK: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/covidcheck/

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Have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric

Completely cover your nose and mouth

Fit snugly against the sides of your face and don’t have gaps

CS 319876-O 10/16/2020

DO choose masks that

cdc.gov/coronavirus

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Monthly Educational Class Offerings COVID-19 Operational Status Activity/Program Day Time Age Level -

Family Dharma Class Sunday 10:00 am – 12:00 pm All ages Online SAT Exam Preparation 1st & 3rd Sunday 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm High School Online

Upanishad 2nd Sunday 12:00pm – 1:30 pm Adults Temporarily Suspended Bhagavatham Sundays 3:45 pm – 5:45 pm Adults Teleconference/Online Bhagavad Gita Saturdays 10:00 am – 11:30 am Adults Teleconference/Online

Spoken Samskritam Saturdays 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm All ages Online

Yoga Tues & Thur 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm All ages Online Saturdays 7:30 am – 10:00 am All ages Online

COVID- 19 Operational Status: Some Education classes are temporarily suspended (including Wednesday evening Overview of Dharma Weekly Virtual Webcast & Dial-in). Others classes are continuing in an altered schedule online. For more information, please email education@ssvt.org Thank you!

SSVT Dharma Education

Learning and Service Portal:

www.ssvt.org/education

www.ssvt.org/educationeducation@ssvt.org

Your Online Resources Portal in Dharma Education

for today and tomorrow.

• Innovating in education and service for all ages

• Building libraries, events, tools, resources, community

networks and connections....

• Delivering pluralistic (multi-sampradāya) and

multi-disciplinary educational services.

• Supporting our respected Hindu, Buddhist and Jain

Dharma Communities, Partners and Congregation of

Seniors, Parents, Families, Professionals, and Students.

• Understanding the multiple Dharmic paths of spirituality

and liberation...and making the World a better place.

Learning | Empowering | Growing

Annual Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar and Sri Syama Sastri (MDSS) Music Festival Co-Sponsored by Sri Siva Vishnu Temple and Geethamrutha Music School Virtual Music Festival - Saturday November 21 & Sunday November 22, 2020.

This annual music festival is a homage to two of the most prominent composers

in Carnatic Music: Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar (1775-1835) and Sri Syama Sastri (1762-1827)

MDSS Music Festival has been celebrated as a two-day event for Several years. This year we will be celebrating the Music Festival virtually with Pre-Recorded Programs posted on

SSVT YouTube Channel for 2 days. Saturday November 21. will highlight the Contributions of Trinity Composers Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar. & Syama Sastri. Pre-Recorded Programs, will include Inauguration of the Music Festival by Smt. Nirmalaa Ramaswamy. Special presentations will include Geethamrutha Festival Brochure Release & Presentation and Thematic Pre-recorded presentation of Auspicious Festival Compositions of Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar by Teachers and Students of Geethamrutha. The Theme Krithis of this year will be rendered partially in groups and the rest as individual presentation). As Live Group Program is not possible, for Syama Sastri’s Ratna Trayam (his 3 majestic Swarajatis and other selected Krithis) this year, Videos will be posted of Prior Years’ group renditions as organized by Smt. Nirmalaa Ramaswamy (Director of Geethamrutha Music School, Bethesda MD). Grand Finale of the Saturday November 21st Program will be a Grand Virtual Lecture/Demonstration Concert by Vid. R.K Shriramkumar and Students.

Sunday November 22. will include Open Participation by Music Lovers of the area with 3 options: ((1) Rendition one Krithi for 5 mins.; (2) or 2 Krithis of Sri Dikshitar and Syama Sastri Krithi for 12 mins; OR (3) Mini concert for 25-30 mins duration.). Mini Concert presentations must not exceed 30m Duration. Mini Concert opportunities will be given to selected individuals by MDSS Festival Committee. The Grand Finale of the Music Festival Main Concert by Vid. Amrutha Venkatesh will be on Sunday November 22nd. All Programs are yet to be finalized. Donations are Welcome for SSVT in Support of the Concerts. Virtual Music Festival Brochures will be Released Online at MDSS Site for a nominal fee. (Collections to support SSVT Temple). Brochure 1 – Auspicious Festival Compositions of Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar. Brochure 2 – Life and Legacy of Syama Sastri. The festival is open to all music lovers of the greater Washington DC metro area. Please send your preference of participation to mdaradhana@gmail.com before November 3, 2020. For Participation with pre-recorded rendition All videos should be shared on google drive with cultural@ssvt.org. The videos must be shared by November 15 2020. Group Participation is encouraged with Social Distancing Guidelines.

UPCOMING CULTURAL EVENTS

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

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

Seventh Annual Sri Haridaasa Day (Virtual Haridaasa Aradhana)

With support of Kaveri Kannada Association and Vishwa Madhva Sangha

Due to the COVID pandemic SSVT is not having in person Haridaasa Day. But, we are celebrating this festival in a virtual manner this year. We request participants to submit video recording of one song of your choice on any Haridaasa composition (lesser known is preferable to avoid repetitions). Students who are interested to give 30-minute performance please email at haridaasa.ssvt@gmail.com The videos can be uploaded to the shared google drive at cultural@ssvt.org by putting their name and details of the songs. Then it will be uploaded to the SSVT web site. Kindly, please send the videos by October 25th. For more details, please e-mail at haridaasa.ssvt@gmail.com

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SSVT Newsletter Nov 2020 Akshaya Vata Sandesh 27 Oct 2020

Important Dates – Nov & Dec 2020

Date Day Event 14 Nov 2020 Saturday Tula (Aippasi) | Aswija Amavasya Punya Kaala Darsha Sraddham | Deepavali 16 Nov 2020 Monday Vrischika (Kartikai) Ravi Sankramana Sraddham 14 Dec 2020 Monday Vrischika (Kartikai) | Kartika Amavasya Punya Kaala Darsha Sraddham 15 Dec 2020 Tuesday Dhanur (Maargazhi) Ravi Sankramana Sraddham

Chandra Grahana (Penumbral Lunar Eclipse)

30 Nov 2020 | Tuesday | Penumbral Chandra Grahana | 0232 – 0653 | Max view 0442

A penumbral lunar eclipse takes place when the Moon moves through the faint, outer part of Earth's shadow, the penumbra. It is rather subtle, and difficult to observe as there is never a dark bite taken out of the moon and it never professes to reach the dramatic minutes of totality. At beast, at mid-eclipse, keen observers can notice a dark shading on the moon’s face and most wouldn’t even know. Our Panchanga take into account only the eclipses visible in the place we live, ie, when the eclipsed rays of Sun or Moon fall on us and only the umbral eclipses are taken into account and the penumbral eclipses are not taken in to account and not mentioned in the Panchanga usually. As it is penumbral eclipse it would not be considered for any religious activities including Tarpanam. Normally Tarpanam is done only when it visible and being observed in those parts where you are residing. Hence, it won’t apply to us in the US National Capital region. “Akshaya Vata” (The eternal banyan tree) provides a holistic platform for our community in providing the facility, resources including not limited to priestly services, guidance and materials needed to perform. We give great importance to our dharmic tradition, unique way of remembrance, thanksgiving and celebration of life. It is the least that we can do our forefathers and pay our obeisance to them. We provide these services through two

distinct facilities Paschima Gaya (Paścimā gayA – पि#चम गया) & Paschima Kashi (Paścimā

Kāśi – पि#चम काशी) for Pitru Karma & Apara Karma respectively.

To know more, avail the services of Akshaya Vata, please reach out to akshayavata@ssvt.org

Akshaya Vata Sandesh