Sri Siva Vishnu Temple
What Hinduism and SSVT mean to us
By Laura & S.R. Sidarth
What is your involvement with SSVT?
Sidarth: I have been involved with SSVT since I can
remember. My parents brought me from a young age, and
I recall many late evenings during kumbhabhishekhams and
other important events in the temple’s history. I started out
helping my mother with maintenance work, moved on to
volunteering at the front desk, and then found a home in the
kitchen. And I have made many good friends along the way
– SSVT is truly a volunteer-run community.
Laura: My involvement with SSVT is more recent – since
Sidarth and I got engaged. On our second visit together,
I joined Sidarth in the kitchen. I felt welcomed and at
home immediately, upstairs and downstairs. Since then,
my involvement has been equally focused on learning and
darshana and helping in the kitchen and elsewhere. It is
a wonderful balance, and I encourage those who visit the
temple to consider seeking the same, particularly the younger
generation.
What role does Hinduism play in your life?
Sidarth: It is easy to attribute coming to SSVT as the
outward role that Hinduism plays in my life. But it’s much
more than that – Hinduism has shaped my value system. It
is a reminder that you are how you act when no one else is
watching. That doing good is its own reward. That caring for
your fellow creatures should be the rule, not the exception.
And of course Hinduism governs some of our practices
– maintaining a prayer area at home. Providing a daily
offering to a higher power. Wearing traditional clothing and
ornaments. Respecting your elders with time and caring.
One aspect of the western view of Hinduism is accurate – it
is more than a religion, it is a way of life.
Laura: The more I learn about Hinduism, the more I am
reassured of its consistency with my values and beliefs,
and particularly of its resolution of fundamental concerns I
have had with other belief systems. Hinduism regulates my
daily life, not only through the offering and prayers Sidarth
mentioned but also through its acceptance of a diversity of
thought and learning.
How are SSVT and Hinduism relevant in modern life?
Sidarth: Things move very quickly in the modern world –
2015 Jeernodharana Kumbhabhishekam
What Hinduism and SSVT mean to us
our lives as lawyers are no different. But SSVT and Hinduism
are constant reminders to maintain your perspective. That
the day-to-day obstacles we face are just that and not what
defines us or what truly matters. Hinduism and its practice
help to keep us grounded.
Without knowing who you are and where you come from,
the modern world is a very imposing place. There are
constant demands on your time and not enough hours in the
day. Carving out space for reflection and self-improvement
provides balance and allows you to take other challenges
with a grain of salt. As we can attest, perhaps easier said
than done!
Laura: I am not sure how to answer this question better than
Sidarth has. SSVT and Hinduism help turn our focus back
from the minutiae and immediate demands of modern life
to relationships and practices that we strive to develop and
maintain over a lifetime – faith, family, friends, traditions,
and giving back to the community.
Why should our generation maintain its traditions?
Sidarth: The United States is a great country – it has allowed
us to benefit from what it has to offer, yet we are still able to
identify with our lineage. As time goes by, our natural links
to India will fade – as an example, one set of my grandpar-
ents live there, but only one first cousin. So finding ways
to understand our heritage in this country will become even
more important, and SSVT is continuing to develop its edu-
cational and religious offerings with that in mind.
Assimilation is important to take advantage of everything
the United States has to offer. But assimilation is not the
promotion of homogeneity. Our identity as a nation is in its
differences and how we reconcile them for the common good.
The spirit of giving, work ethic, education, and community
– that is what SSVT and Hinduism embody and they are
relevant in my life. And I hope it is important in a similar
but unique way to the next generation and the one after that.
Laura: Our generation should maintain its traditions because
they transcend place and time; foster understanding, self-
reflection and learning; and will maintain our community.
Traditions provide commonality among generations – with
our elders, our peers, and the younger generation – regardless
of where they are practiced. Not only do we learn traditions
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What Hinduism and SSVT mean to us
from our elders and peers, but we can also internalize their
value through practice and teaching them to those younger
than us. In this process, traditions shape our identity and
enrich each phase of life. Ultimately, maintaining our
traditions will allow us to continue connecting with our faith
and community.
Is SSVT a place for children?
Laura and Sidarth: SSVT has been developing its educational
offerings over the years, and that needs to continue. And
classes should be geared to both parents and children –
while Sidarth’s parents grew up in India, our generation has
somewhat secondhand knowledge of Hindu traditions and
rituals. But SSVT must seek for its cultural and religious
identities to also feature the next generation – the young artist
series and children’s pujas are a start. SSVT’s leadership
Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa!!
Best Wishes for the Success of the
Jeernodharana Kumbhabhishekam!!
98
Sri Siva Vishnu Temple
should also feature the next generation in roles of authority
supported by the founders and long-time trustees.
Putting all of this aside, the key in bringing SSVT to the
next generation is the same as it was for the founders:
community. Working in the kitchen or at the front desk is a
way for devotees to take ownership in their temple; now that
has been extended to sandwich-making for the homeless.
But what about consistent activities for young mothers?
Outdoor recreation? Making religious literature accessible
to children? By addressing these constituencies, SSVT can
and will flourish for decades to come.
Laura and Sidarth were married in a traditional Hindu ceremony
in 2014 – both are attorneys in Washington, DC. Laura has been
involved with SSVT for the past year; Sidarth since early childhood.
Dhananjayan family
2015 Jeernodharana Kumbhabhishekam
 Impressions of school Children visiting SSVT
Hindudism and our Temple

T
emple provides tour of SSVT for interested groups
from private schools, colleges and church groups.
Groups desiring a tour of the temple either calls the
temple or write an email about the date of visit. Temple tour
guide meets with the group explaining the history of the
temple, explaining the basics of Hinduism take the group to
see the deities and shows them a typical service (archana).
Tour also provides an opportunity to answer any questions
the group may have about the temple. Temple also provides,
on rare occasions, tour of the temple to visiting groups.
Children from different grades visit so the tours have to be
tailored to their level. Many of the students write back to the
tour guide or to the temple manager expressing their experi-
ence and sometimes the teacher who bring his/her class does
write on behalf of the students. While a lot of volunteers have
been doing the tour in the last two years Mr. P. Krishnan,
a devoted volunteer of SSVT has taken a lot of groups on
the tour and we present a collage of thank you notes and
notes of their impression is presented. In this collage we are
presenting a cross section of letters from both students as
well as teachers. Letters from different period of time is also
included and we thank Mrs. Usha Krishnamurthy and Mr. S.
Krishnamurthy for providing us responses from some years
back. It is a testament to our management to keep our temple
open for anyone who is interested in learning about Hindu-
ism and our way of life. We applaud the volunteers who have
made this possible continuously from SSVT’s inception till
date.
Sample Thank You notes from various groups are presented
below. Note some of the art work of drawing the deities.

From: Vaijayanti Wagle for the Grade 4 Team

Washington DC School
We want to thank you very much for hosting our 4th graders
at the temple. They were struck by the beauty of the temple
and the statues of all the deities. You gave them an excel-
lent introduction to the beliefs of Hinduism and many talked
about what they had learned thereafter. Many of the ideas
were new to the children and they were very interested in
how religions other than the ones they are familiar with view
God and worship. You asked to hear more about their com-
ments. When we are done studying the unit, I will be sure
to share their impressions of their visit to the Hindu temple
with you.

From: Claire Pettengill

Chair, Humanities Department, Maret School
I was talking the trip over with my students today, and they
were very eager to share how much they had noticed and
learned. We were all so impressed with your deep knowl-
edge, too. We were lucky to have such a guide. I will not
forget what you said about the Gita being a “Spark Notes”
for the Vedas! We hope to be able to learn from you again,
maybe next year.

2015 Jeernodharana Kumbhabhishekam 99

Impressions of school Children visiting SSVT Hindudism and our Temple
From: Mrs. Ruth C. Franks
Administative Coordinator
Howard University
We thoroughly enjoyed the tour. It was indeed help-
ful. It was both interesting and informative. We have
a great deal to learn but you have opened the door of
knowledge to us and we are extremely grateful to you.
From: Erika
Youth Leader, Unity By The Bay Church, Severn
Park, MD
Thank you so much for taking your time and giving us
a lesson on “Hindusim 101” as well as a tour of your
beautiful temple. I really got a lot out of it. I think the
adults appreciated the lecture and the kids liked see-
ing the various Gods and Goddesses and what they
represent. I hope that exposing the children to dif-
ferent religions will make them more well-rounded
adults. Thanks again!
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Sri Siva Vishnu Temple
From: Amy Newhouse
Alexandraia Country Day School
Thank you so much for inviting us to the temple and providing
the students with such a thoughtful and interesting tour. As
in past years, the students came back to school excited to
learn more about Hinduism.
From: Cynthia Chamees., Salisbury High School
I really enjoyed my visit to the Temple yesterday. The building
itself was absolutely beautiful and I learned a lot. Before this
visit, I had little idea that a Hindu Temple especially the Sri
Siva Vishnu Temple was so close to DC.When I walked into
the actual worshipping area, I was completely blown away by
just the beauty of it. It really sank in as I walked around the
shrines. For the first time in a long time, I was able to almost
completely stop thinking and just enjoy what I was seeing.
And I will always remember that. Thank you for opening the
Temple doors to us. And I may come visit again sometime.
Also, thank you for the food and the prayer to Ganesha
for help in our exams because we will definitely need it! I
definitely learned quite a bit, but the thing that surprised me
most was the fact that Hindu Priest don’t have a hierarchy or
tell people what to believe. If only more things were like that!
• When I first walked into the Temple I was taken aback. It was
nothing like I envisioned. I really appreciated the sense of serenity
within the Temple. I liked the idea that I can be both a Christian
and a Hindu.
• There was a sense of peace and automatic welcoming that I really
appreciated. I especially liked how you said that there are no lectures
because the path is up to you and what your heart chooses.
• The one thing that struck me was how very close spirituality
struck home.
• I was delighted to find out that Hinduism does not seek converts
and that it can help people of all religions. The welcoming
attitude of the Temple to towards both Hindus and non -Hindu
is absolutely wonderful. One cannot force ones religion down
some one throat or make them find God by threatening them that
they will go to hell if they do not believe in God. One must allow
people to have time and space to think for them and to find their
own paths. I love the idea of Hinduism’s paths to enlightenment
being like infinite spokes on a wheel. I also love the fact that there
are no punishing gods and that only ones own Karma can cause
punishment like events. This ancient religion seems to allow for a
lot of personal freedom without too much fear, guilt or obligation.
2015 Jeernodharana Kumbhabhishekam
Sri Siva Vishnu Temple Impressions of school Children visiting SSVT Hindudism and our Temple

• The SSVT was absolutely beautiful, it was hard to walk in and just not be • As I stepped in to the Temple I really felt
amazed by everything. I honestly felt at peace. It was such a calm moment safe. I felt as I was being protected from
for me. I kept on thinking how Hinduism is really unlike any other religion. all evil. When we were watching the priest
It allows people to worship and does not make them do things against their pray for us to the main male god, I felt as
morals. if I was being watched over by him. To
• The Temple had the same sense of smell as of the house of my soul mate, me, I feel that I was safe from all danger,
Reshma, who passed away last year. Being in the Temple felt so right. There fear and hate. When I was eating the fruit,
was an energy I felt that I could tap into. I felt a connection to my friend. I felt my body being healed and blessed.
Being in the temple gave me a sense of greater closure. Respecting her I see how after learning more about this
memory and continuing with my life has been immensely difficult. For me. religion the people look nicer to me. I
But since her death I have been working hard to keep going without her. always looked at them in a wrong way.
The prayer to Ganesha was like a turning pointing in that struggle. I now
know that although it will be hard, I won’t give up and that there is a place
I can go to have a connection with her.
• I am a Pakistani-Muslim-American, dancing Bharatnatyam for several
years, watching Hindi movies since I was a baby. I felt extremely welcomed
and was excited when I saw each of the gods as I am familiar to their
stories. I actually found many similarities between Hinduism and Islam.
It is our stubborn attitudes and stereotyped beliefs that stop our people
from learning about each other and the peaceful relation that they can
maintain. I specially appreciated how you took a few moments to think of
the answers to the questions asked. Most people lack this characteristic and
in consequence cause more confusion which leads to more hate. I hope to
come to visit the temple again very soon.

• I would first of all like to thank you for presenting your faith to
us in such a welcoming manner. Hinduism was the first faith
we studied in our World Religion class and I have found it the
most interesting and rewarding out of all we explored. Your
wonderful presentation merely reinforced that sentiment in
my mind. I have been experiencing plenty of stress in my senior
year. However I felt both moved and remarkably at peace when
I was at the Temple. I felt very welcome by the many people
worshipping there who smiled and greeted me warmly when
I passed them There was no sense of exclusiveness among the
people worshipping there and that made the experience much
better.

2015 Jeernodharana Kumbhabhishekam 101