Saturday, May 30, 2020 at 8 PM EDT – 9:30 PM EDT: Community Doctors will discuss safety as states reopen and lift stay-at-home orders. We will also hear about preliminary steps the temple will take to reopen.
Sunday, May 3, 2020 at 11 AM EDT – 12:30 PM EDT: Everything you need to know to protect your family from COVID-19. Community Doctors answer your questions. Please register by clicking Registration link blow. Zoom webinar link will be emailed to you after you register. Meeting starts exactly at 11 AM ET. Please join 10 minutes before so that you can check the video connections.
January 2020: Professor B.N. Hebbar teaches Religions of the East and a variety of specialty courses such as Indian Philosophy, Zoroastrianism, Shintoism, Doctrine and Debate in World Religions, Minor Religions of India, South Asian Buddhism etc. He was one of the recipients of the Bender Teaching Award in 2006. He was thrice nominated as a recognized faculty member at the Freshman Scholars in Residence annual appreciation event at George Washington University. He had his traditional and academic education in India and lived for sometime in Sri-Lanka and Thailand studying Theravada Buddhism. He received his bachelors and masters degrees from George Washington University. He taught at the University of Maryland Honors Program for a decade. He has lectured on Eastern religions at the Virginia Theological Seminary, the Smithsonian Resident Associate Program and at the Johns Hopkins Osher Program. He is currently the Executive Vice-President of the International Buddhist Association of America (IBAA). He has authored articles on South Indian Vaisnavism in Harper-Row Dictionary of Religions and in the Journal of Vaisnava Studies. He has authored two articles in the Journal of Indian Philosophy & Religion in 2016 and 2017. He has authored three books: The Sri-krsna Temple at Udupi (Nataraj Books, 2005), Visistadvaita and Dvaita (Nataraj Books, 2005), and Who is the Supreme God: Visnu or Siva? (Nataraj Books, 2011). He received his Ph.D. from the University of Utrecht (Netherlands). He also has a D.Litt. from the University of South Africa. The course talks about all the philosophical systems in chronological order starting from Vedic Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and seven schools of Classical Hindu Philosophy (Nyaya-Vaisesika, Sankhya-Yoga, Prabhakara Mimamsa, Kumarila Mimamsa, Sankara Vedanta, Ramanuja Vedanta and Madhva Vedanta)
October 6, 2019: Prof. Ravindran held his popular workshop for Acupressure at SSVT on October 6th from 10 AM to 4 PM. He will be doing demonstrations on promoting wellness with different health challenges such as Thyroid, Headaches, Migraine and many other conditions. A Natural Therapist and Healer .He has an MD in acupressure and is a professor practicing Simplified Kundalini Yoga. He was under the able guidance of world renowned Dr. Devendra Vora, a master in acupressure and natural therapist. Prof.Ravindran was initiated to yoga by Sri. Vethathri Maharishi –Founder of World Community Service Center, Chennai. A prolific speaker, he has conducted workshops and demonstrations in India and abroad on Acupressure- its Benefits and Simplified Kundalini Yoga.
Credentials • Member of International Naturopathy Organization, New Delhi. • Member of Board of Alternative Medicines. • Associate Member & Chairman of International Conference of Yoga, Naturopathy and Aroyga Expo 2012. • Member of International Sujok Association, Moscow. • Member of International Congress of Social Philosophy. • Member of Kamataka Darshan Parishat, Member of Rural Health Society (MRHS), Kolkata. • Fellow Membership of Rural Health – FRHS.
Saturday, September 14, 2019 at 3 PM EDT – 4:30 PM EDT: A discussion on how colorism (preference of lighter skin over darker skin) runs contrary to Hindu teachings, and what we can do to address the issue. Featured Panelists: Lisa Gray, Tej Reddy, Razia Kosi, and Neha Goel.
August 24-25, 2019: Dr. Amit Goswami will explore the importance of integrating reasoning and emotions in this one-day workshop sponsored by the Sri Siva Vishnu Temple near Washington, DC. Participants will learn how the pursuit of positive health is really the healing path to spirituality. This workshop shall include an experiential session with chakras, quantum healing, and awakening of the heart. Theoretical Quantum Physicist Dr. Amit Goswami is a revolutionary amongst a growing body of renegade scientists who, in recent years, has ventured into the domain of the spiritual in an attempt both to interpret the seemingly inexplicable findings of curious experiments and to validate intuitions about the existence of a spiritual dimension of life. A prolific writer, teacher, and visionary, Dr. Goswami has appeared in the movies What the Bleep do we know!?, Dalai Lama Renaissance, as well as the award winning documentary, The Quantum Activist.
June 22-23, 2019: Padmashri Dr. Subhash Kak , Naumi Kak spoke on Manomaya Kosha: The Mind, emotional necessities and intellectual awareness in Yogasutra. Dr, Kak is an Indian-American computer scientist. He is the Regents Professor of Computer Science Department at Oklahoma State University–Stillwater, an honorary visiting professor of engineering at Jawaharlal Nehru University, and a member of the Indian Prime Minister's Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC). Dr. Kak has published on the history of science, the philosophy of science, ancient astronomy, and the history of mathematics. Dr, Kak has also published on archaeoastronomy, and advocated the idea of Indigenous Aryans. Scholars have rejected his theories on these topics in entirety, and his writings have been heavily criticized. In 2019, the Government of India awarded him with Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India.
June 8, 2019: by Professor K. Ramasubramanian is Professor at IIT Bombay in the Cell for Indian Science and Technology in Sanskrit, Department of Humanitites and Social Sciences. He holds a doctorate in Theoretical Physics, a Bachelors in Engineering, and a Masters in Sanskrit. For completing a rigorous course in Advaita Vedanta (a 14 semester program) he was honored with the coveted title “Vidvat Pravara” by the Shankaracharya of Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham in the year 2003. He is one of the authors who prepared detailed Explanatory Notes of the celebrated works Ganita-yuktibhasha (Rationales in Mathematical Astronomy) and Tantrasangraha which brings out the seminal contributions of the Kerala School of astronomers and mathematicians in the field of Mathematics and Astronomy.
Saturday, June 1, 2019 at 3 PM EDT – 4:30 PM EDT: Caribbean Hindu leaders talk about how Hinduism thrived in the West Indies, some of the common concerns shared with other Hindu communities, unique challenges faced by members, and what Caribbean Hindu Americans can offer in terms of defining an American Hinduism.
Saturday, June 1, 2019 at 10 AM EDT – 12 PM EDT: SSVT invites you for a curtain raiser event on June 1st from 10 am - 12 pm in anticipation of the 5th International Day of Yoga on June 16th. Sri Moksharaj, Yoga teacher from the Indian Embassy will lead participants through a routine of Yoga Postures, Pranayama etc. All are welcome to come and participate in the event.
Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 3 PM EDT – 4:30 PM EDT: Temples across the globe struggle with the balance of serving their congregation and managing the environmental consequences of their efforts. Join us for a panel discussion led by Gopal Patel, Director of the Bhumi Project, along with Helen Rose, Earth Day Network’s Religious Outreach Coordinator, for an engaging discussion focused on he simple ways temples and Hindu households can preserve Matre Bhumi, as the SSVT grapples with its ecological legacy. Registration appreciated. Hosted by SSVT - Sri Siva Vishnu Temple DC and The Bhumi Project.
Sunday, March 3, 2019 at 3 PM EST – 4:30 PM EST: Relationships are complicated, no matter how committed we are. If you've ever felt frustrated that your partner isn't understanding what you're trying to say, exhausted from fighting about the same thing time and time again, or even confused about how to apologize, join us at the workshop with your partner for an interactive workshop to learn some healthy relationship skills, and put them into practice. We'll share some laughs, bond with our partners and each other, and leave feeling renewed in our commitment. The goal is to teach the 4 relationship no-no's - the gentle startup, speaker listener, and negotiation, using clips from Bollywood/Hollywood movies to spark discussion and make it easier to try out some activities. This event is free to all as part of the Center for Dharma Education's event streams. All ages are welcome!
Sunday, December 9, 2018 at 4 PM EST – 6 PM EST: A practical message of well being from intersections of philosophy, science and spirituality - please join us for Michelangelo’s Medicine on Dec 9th @ SSVT (4pm) - transforming health care - Dr. Anoop Kumar’s presentation that redefines the human body and well being. Here is his conversation with Deepak Chopra. https://youtu.be/ucWcUUEcDUU
Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 3 PM EST – 5 PM EST: The SSVT’s Center for Dharma Education will be hosting an important follow up summit to ensure that the temple continues to incorporate voices from the LGBTQIA community. The discussions will include a theological overview led by Brahmachari Vraj Vihari Sharan of Georgetown University, a panel on family supports, and items on how the SSVT can incorporate events and create spaces that are welcoming to LGBTQIA Hindus.
Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 3 PM EDT – 4:30 PM EDT: Mental health issues, including depression, have long been considered taboo among Hindu Americans. With increasing pressures facing younger Hindu Americans, how can Hindu organizations provide an avenue for healthy discussion and spiritual support? Come join us for the SSVT Center for Dharma Education's final Town Hall of 2018--our inaugural year. Hosted by SSVT - Sri Siva Vishnu Temple DC, Indiaspora and Dharmic Life at Georgetown.
Saturday, October 6, 2018 at 3 PM EDT: Domestic violence continues to be a taboo issue for parts of the Hindu community. In this panel, discussants explain what Hindu religious centers can do to address domestic violence, and how temples can serve as safe spaces for victims of domestic violence. This event is co-sponsored by ASHA for Women, Georgetown University’s Center for Hindu Life, the Chinmaya Mission, SEWA USA, ISKCON, HACSI, HAF, and Indiaspora.
Saturday, September 29, 2018 at 3 PM EDT: As the Hindu American community in the region grows, the Bhutanese and Nepali communities continue to deal with social and economic challenges. This CDELC town hall will explore some of the key challenges, including the recent federal actions taken against Nepali immigrants, and touch on what the larger Hindu American community can do to help (particularly after the tragic murder of Resham Bajgai). Co-sponsored by: SSVT CDE, HACSI, Baltimore Bhutanese Community, Sewa International, HAF, and the Chinmaya Mission Confirmed Speakers: Nandini Mouli, HACSI; Upreti Khada, Baltimore Bhutanese Community; Bishnu Poudel, Nepali community leader. Moderator: Jay Kansara, HAF
August 4, 2018: Popular Acupressure workshop from Prof. Ravindran based on the popular book from Devendra Verma "Health is your hands" Prof. Ravindran held his popular workshop for Acupressure at SSVT. He will be doing demonstrations on promoting wellness with different health challenges such as Thyroid, Headaches, Migraine and many other conditions. A Natural Therapist and Healer .He has an MD in acupressure and is a professor practicing Simplified Kundalini Yoga. He was under the able guidance of world renowned Dr. Devendra Vora, a master in acupressure and natural therapist. Prof.Ravindran was initiated to yoga by Sri. Vethathri Maharishi –Founder of World Community Service Center, Chennai. A prolific speaker, he has conducted workshops and demonstrations in India and abroad on Acupressure- its Benefits and Simplified Kundalini Yoga.
Credentials • Member of International Naturopathy Organization, New Delhi. • Member of Board of Alternative Medicines. • Associate Member & Chairman of International Conference of Yoga, Naturopathy and Aroyga Expo 2012. • Member of International Sujok Association, Moscow. • Member of International Congress of Social Philosophy. • Member of Kamataka Darshan Parishat, Member of Rural Health Society (MRHS), Kolkata. • Fellow Membership of Rural Health – FRHS.
Sunday, July 15, 2018 at 12 PM EDT – 2:30 PM EDT: The Event is a part of the monthly Religious Seminar that the temple organizes on a subject of interest for the young Americans about Hinduism.
July 2018: Dushayant Sridhar is popular as a person who gives wonderful discourses on spiritual topics that are full of jnana and bhakti. He gavr wonderful discourses Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Mahatme and Yaksh Prashna which full of Philosophical and ethical questions that will interest everybody. Dushyanth Sridhar is a public speaker (Upanyaskar), and writer on topics related to Sanatana Dharma. He delivers discourses in Tamil and English. He has learnt scriptures like Sri Bhashyam, Gita Bhashyam, Rahasya-traya Saram and Bhagavad Vishayam. He has delivered many live discourses in multiple countries and in several regional television channels. He has a Youtube presence with over ten million views and content that runs for 1000 hours. He organizes religious tours (yatras) to ancient Vishnu temples in association with a travel agent and they have together have taken 2000 people to 200 temples spanning 12 states and 6 countries in a 5-year period covering a distance of 20,000 miles.
June 2018: Sri Dorbala Prabhakar Sarmaji at SSVT on June 20 and 21 . Sri Dorbala Prabhakara Sarma continues to conduct free Learn Sanskrit in 10 days classes, whilst being an extraordinary achiever in Sanskrit Astavadhanams and Satavadhanams.
Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 8:30 AM EDT – 10:30 AM EDT: SSVT is celebrating International Yoga Day on June event in DC on June 16th with a curtain raiser event on June 2nd. Sri Moksharaj, Yoga teacher from the Indian Embassy will lead participants through a routine of Yoga Postures, Pranayama etc. All are welcome to come and participate in the event.
Saturday, June 16, 2018 at 4 PM EDT – 5:30 PM EDT: The idea of “coming out” has taken on numerous meanings, and in recent years, it has become a political act as much as one of love and self-expression. Providing acceptance has had some challenges in the Hindu community although Hindu texts are reportedly fluid in descriptions of gender identity. The discussants talk about how the community can provide more support to and creates spaces for LGBTQIA Hindus. This is a free event, and open to all.
Saturday, April 21, 2018 at 3 PM EDT – 5 PM EDT: The tapestry of Hindu America is often underappreciated, and the conflation between Hindus and Indians can be problematic for both non-Hindu Desis and non-Desi Hindus. In this town hall-style discussion and panel, non-Desi Hindus discuss their diverse spiritual journeys, and the pitfalls and opportunities of identifying as a Hindu-American as both an individual and as a part of the larger Hindu-American community.
Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 3 PM EST – 5 PM EST: How do we raise culturally competent children? In an increasingly multicultural learning environment, Hindu-American parents must balance how to raise children with Hindu cultural values while acclimating them to a largely non-Hindu learning environment. As the lines between “Hindu” and “American” blur together, how can Hindu-American parents raise children to be more culturally and spiritually aware and fully acclimated to their social environments? Join the SSVT - Sri Siva Vishnu Temple DC Center for Dharma Education and the Hindu American Foundation for the first town hall in a series that explores the answers to these questions and more! Featuring guest panelists from the SSVT community, the @interfaith network of Montgomery County and the Hindu American Foundation!
Sunday, February 18, 2018 at 12 PM EST – 2:30 PM EST : All are most cordially invited to the Religious Seminar of Sri Siva Vishnu Temple for February 2018. The seminar will be organised on "Mahakali: The Goddess Of Eternity" on Sunday, February 18, 2018 from 12:00 Noon to 2:30 PM in the Vedavyasa Room (Education Room) of Sri Siva Vishnu Temple.
February 17, 2018: Join us for an event on #nonviolence for the Center for Dharma Education (CDE) at SSVT - Sri Siva Vishnu Temple DC. All are welcome to this special screening of the film #FromIndiawithLove on Saturday, February 17, 3-5pm at SSVT - Sri Siva Vishnu Temple DC. The film shares the story of six Americans who are all victims of violence from diverse backgrounds and who embarked on an epic 10-day journey to India in March 2016. Their trip was inspired by a similar journey to India that was taken by Dr. King when in 1959, who had also visited India to deepen his understanding of nonviolence. We will be moderating a panel discussion with film director Mandar Apte and Yolanda Rondon, attorney for the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC).
Watch the film's trailer here: https://buff.ly/2E0tVl6
Sunday, October 15, 2017 at 11 AM EDT – 12 PM EDT: Presentations and Panel discussion: Dr. Brahmachariji Sharan, Georgetown University. On “Being Hindu in 21st century USA” Dr. P.R. Mukund, Professor Rochester Institute of Technology on “Science of Homa” Followed by a Panel discussion. From 10 AM- 12 Noon. SSVT Auditorium. Theme of the seminar is on Hinduism and how it can be useful in day to day life. The speakers will focus on different aspects Hinduism and approach the subject from a Scientific point of view. Interesting Panel discussion and Q&A follow.
October 8, 2017: We are inaugurating this center on October 8, 2017 at 10:30 PM. SSVT is enhancing Education services by launching the Center for Dharma Education (Dharma Vidyaa Nilaya) during the Sri Medha Vidyaa Vaaridhi Mahotsavam on October 8th. The Center will be delivering top quality Dharma Education in classroom and online to HIndu-Americans. We are adopting several innovative strategies for the successful delivery of Dharma Education to the students.
We are planning to have the best Dharma teachers in the world come and teach to the students.
Show Practical ways of how Dharma/Hinduism help everybody in their daily lives
Start with Science and show that methodology of inquiry and openness is a main feature of Dharma
Have Teachers that can relate to Hindu-Americans
Deliver Dharma Education using latest digital online platforms
Partner with other organizations to deliver practical and unique Education content
Sri Dandapani, a teacher whose language and teachings resonate with Hindu Americans, will be inaugurating the center and delivering the inaugural address. More information about Sri Dandapani is at: https://dandapani.org/ about/about-dandapani
April 2017 SSVT is honored to celebrate the 1000th year of incarnation of Srimad Rāmānujāchārya to show our reverence for the great saint, philosopher and reformer and to get his blessings. There will be a symposium on April 15th and a three-day religious event from April 28-30th. At the full-day symposium on Saturday, April 15th, eminent scholars in the morning session (9 a.m.-12 noon) will discuss Sri Rāmānujāchārya’s philosophy of Vishishtādwaita and in the afternoon session (1:30-3:30 p.m.) focus on Dwaita and Advaita philosophies. Speakers include Dr. Vasudha Narayanan from the University of Florida, Dr. Sarma of Case Western University and Dr. Brahmachari Sharan of Georgetown University. In addition, SSVT is pleased to bring out two publications on this occassion. A Volume of Essays entitled “Srimad Rāmānuja - An Achārya for All Ages” in which Srivaishnava scholars from India and the USA discuss various aspects of Sri Rāmānuja’s accomplishments, critique his principal writings and assess the Achārya’s impact on the spread of Bhakti movement. Part I of the book by Dr. Prema Nandakumar gives a birds eye-view of Sri Rāmānuja’s life and teachings; Part II has four essays designed for those who want a deeper understanding of Sri Rāmānuja’s philosophy. Second, a separate Illustrated Book titled “Sri Ramanuja- An Illustrated Biography” containing 36 original paintings by the award-winning local artist, Shanthi Chandrasekar. Each of the illustrations and accompanying text depict a significant episode in the Achārya’s life. This book is designed for younger members of the Indian American community and also non-Indians who wish to learn about the life of one of the greatest philosophers of Hinduism
Sunday, February 19, 2017 at 12 PM EST – 2 PM EST. Seminar with various panelists on the philosophies, practices and sampradayas and communities of Saiva revering followers to be held with coming Sivaratri celebrations.
Sep 17, 2016 at 7 PM EDT – Sep 18, 2016 at 6 PM EDT: Niloofer Giri is a disciple and student of Swami Dayananda Saraswati of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam – a renowned teacher of Advaita Vedanta. A distinguished, traditional teacher of Vedanta. Her depth of understanding the Vedas makes her a rare teacher who can explain the complex subject in a simplistic manner. She has been teaching Vedanta for more than a decade in India and abroad. Some of the countries where she has taught recently include: India, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Dubai. Well versed in Sanskrit and Paninian grammar, she is renowned for teaching Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, and other ancient Vedantic scriptures in a manner easily assimilated by the modern listener. At the request of Swami Dayananda Saraswati, Niloofer and her husband Shribanta Giri conduct regular short-term courses in their ashram at Amboli Ghat, Maharashtra. These residential courses cover subjects that include the major Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, several secondary texts of Vedanta and Brahma Sutras. Niloofer also holds a degree in Psychology and Philosophy and is an Associate of the Trinity College of Music, London as a Pianist.
August 6, 2016: Sri Velukkudi Krishnan is a well-known religious figure and a modern day exponent of Vaishnavism giving discourses in India and throughout the world. He spoke on Andal as a celebration of Aadi Pooram and on Ramanujacharya as part of Sahasrabdi celebration. His Aacharyan is Sholinghur Sri Doddacharyan Swamigal of the Famous Doddacharyan Sevai in the Kanchipuram Varadaraja Swami Garuda sevai. He operates the Kinchitkaram Trust, which translates, publishes, and distributes religious materials, conducts classes, and locates and maintains temples and other religious and historic sites. He is known for his meticulous and chaste rendering of the Vedas, the Upanishads, Naalayira Divya Prabhandham and the Puranas, frequently including human perspectives in his upanyasams.
May 2015: Sri Dushyant Sridhar. This young upanyasakar has been making waves, thanks to his modern interpretation of the Vedas and the Puranas ’2015‘. He is in fact taking a group of children and teenagers on a Harry Potter trip. The group is fascinated and they listen to him without a break. Meet the modern upanyasakar who connects to the young through his discourses by bringing a contemporary perspective to epics and derives logic ‘2015’ says the The Hindu. Sri. Dushyanth Sridhar, a 28-year old technocrat, an alumnus of BITS, Pilani (a leading technical school in India) has delivered over 1500 lectures across the world (in 100 cities and 11 countries). He has undergone training in the scriptures for over 15 years. He has a large young following for the contemporary connect he makes.