1230 McCully Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Phone: 412-373-3380 Email: [email protected] www.svtemple.org Dear Devotees, On behalf of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, Trustees, Corporate Body members, Volunteers, and Staff, the Management of Sri Venkateswara Temple wishes you and your families a healthy, safe, and prosperous New Year 2024. May blessings of Sri Venkateswara, Sri Padmavathi and Sri Andal always be upon us. Our temple has all the religious and personal services fully restored after covid effect and a record number of devotees continue to visit our temple for darshan and religious services. We convey our deepest gratitude for your continued support and generous donations year after year to our beloved temple. The management team has been diligent in utilizing your donations to improve temple facilities, enhance devotee experience, and support other humanitarian and religious causes in USA and in India. We thank all the volunteers, priests, paricharakas, office and maintenance staff for ensuring a smooth operation of the temple to provide the divine experience to devotees. Staffing levels have been steady to meet the devotee service needs. Recently, we completed the long-awaited Sri Satyanarayana Swarna Mantapam project, and the Swarna kavacham project for Balipeetam and they were consecrated during the annual Pavitrotsavam. The Swarna Mantapam is being used for conducting Sri Satyanarayana Puja starting from the auspicious day of Karthika Purnima on November 26th, 2023. This year, the temple conducted Maha Sudarshana Homam for the wellbeing of the mankind, with enthusiastic participation by the devotees. The temple also conducted annual religious events that included Vasanthotsavam, Varshika Brahmotsavam, Navaratri Alankara Brahmotsavam with Sangeethopacharam, 47th anniversary (Prathistapana) day, Pavitrotsavam, and various religious pujas such as Vaikunta Ekadasi, Sri Andal Tirukkalyanam, Pongal/Sankranti Puja, Sri Venkateswara Padmavathi Tirukkalyanam, Sri Rama Navami, Tiruvaadi Pooram, Sri Varalakshmi Vratam, Pancharatra Sri Krishna Jayanthi, Teppotsavam, Swarna Gowri Vratam, Sri Vinayaka Chaturthi, Kedara Gowri Vratam, Tiruppavada seva, Deepavali Puja, Pancharatra Karthika Deepam, Sri Padmavathi Pushpa Alankaram and many more. The temple has resumed the outreach program for the surrounding communities within driving distance and working with them to perform Samoohika Sri Srinivasa Kalyana Utsavam and Sri Satyanarayana Puja in their respective neighborhoods. The temple also organized religious lectures/pravachanams by Sri Tridandi Srimannarayana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swami, Sri Gangadhar Sastry and Harikatha by Jayanthi Savitri. The temple also conducted several cultural programs. Margazhi Mahotsavam was conducted in the auspicious month of Margazhi (Margasira), with active participation of young children and students of local music teachers. The year started with a Violin duet concert by Lalgudi GJR Krishnan and Vijayalakshmi, followed by Tyagaraja Aradhana concert by Saketharaman, Purandara Dasa Aradhana concert by Gayatri Venkataraghavan, Azhwar Aradhana concert by Anirudh Venkatesh, Annamacharya Aradhana concert by Anilakumar Garimella and Swati Tirunal Aradhana concert by Akkarai Sisters. All these Aradhanas have always use a format of Group singing and individual performances in the morning, followed by vocal concerts in the evening. Other cultural events throughout the year included vocal concert by Kalyanapuram Aravind, vocal concert by Sunil Gargyan, Harikatha by Veena Mohan, a unique musical event blending Carnatic music with other Indian styles of music among Year End Appeal Letter 1230 McCully Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Phone: 412-373-3380 Email: [email protected] www.svtemple.org
1230 McCully Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Phone: 412-373-3380 Email: [email protected] www.svtemple.org Soundar Srinivasan Chairman Board of Directors several others. Students from music schools in the Pittsburgh area performed throughout the year on festive occasions showcasing their talent and devotion to Almighty. The temple conducted Balavihar Day for the Bala Vihar children and had Saraswathi Puja during Navaratri. The temple Indian Youth Organization (IYO) continued the publication of the IYO newsletter, managed entirely by them and the materials include drawings and articles on Hinduism. The Annual Ugadi Day celebrations saw active participation from the children and the temple also organized Youth picnic that was well attended. Apart from conducting Graduation Day to recognize High school graduates and awarding of various merit, Service and need-based scholarships for college students locally and nationally, the temple conducted chess and quiz competitions for various age groups as well. Other youth centric celebrations included Gita Jayanthi Day, Swami Vivekananda Day with Essay writing and other competitions for the youth and the Indian Independence Day celebrations at the temple. A workshop on College Admission process was held and the temple resumed the SAT/ACT preparatory courses for the high school students. This year, temple started an outreach program to sustain Vedic education through collaboration and supporting specific Vedic Patasalas in India, in addition to sustaining daily puja in temples through monetary and other support. Annual Deepavali festival was celebrated with puja, sparklers for children, and a scintillating display of fireworks and it was well attended. Several local municipal officials and elected officials also participated in the festivities. Temple continues to stream the festive occasions online for the benefit of devotees around the world. Temple supported numerous organizations in India and the US on the humanitarian front. Temple volunteers participated in such projects involving food distribution/ material contributions and Financial Support. Some of the outreach projects include supporting Winter Bundle Up Program, local Community Kitchens and Food Banks, women empowerment organizations, Home for Special Needs population, Interaction with local Interfaith organizations and Food & Hygiene Products Drive to benefit the needy. As part of regular maintenance, the temple also carried several upgrades in the small auditorium, large auditorium and other areas that included audio/video devices, ceiling tiles, painting of temple premises, pushkarini stairs. We hope and pray that your generous donations will match our needs. We sincerely thank you for your past contributions, and we request you to donate generously to enable us to execute upcoming projects that include Swarna Kavacham for Dwajastambha peetam, Swarna Kavacham for Utsava Murthys and Devotee facilities improvements in the temple properties. Donations from devotees like you are essential for our beloved Sri Venkateswara Temple and we request your continued support and valuable suggestions. May the blessings of Sri Venkateswara, Sri Padmavathi and Sri Andal be always with all of us. Ravi Kondala Secretary Board of Directors Shankar Basa Treasurer Board of Directors Thulasiram Rajan President Executive Committee 1230 McCully Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Phone: 412-373-3380 Email: [email protected] www.svtemple.org
1230 McCully Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Phone: 412-373-3380 Email: [email protected] www.svtemple.org ŚRĪRĀMARAKṢĀSTOTRAM The Rama Raksha Stotram is a set of hymns in praise of Sri Rama and it is chanted as a daily prayer for protection and well-being of all. The composer of the Rama Raksha Stotram is regarded to be Budha Kaushika, which is considered to be another name of Sage Vishvamitra. AsyaShriRamaRakshastotramantrasya| BudhaKoushikaRushihi | ShriSeetaRamachandrodevata| AnushtupChandah|Seetashaktihi | SrimatHanumaanaKeelakam| ShriRamachandrapreetyarthejapeviniyogaha|| Dhyayedaajaanubaahum dhrutasharadanusham badhapadmasanastham | Peetam vaaso vasaanan navakamala dalaspardhinetram prasannam || VaamankarudhaSita mukakamalamilal lochanam neera daabham | Naanaalankaaradeeptam dadhatamurujataa mandalam Ramachandram || charitaṃ raghunāthasya śatakōṭi pravistaram | ēkaikamakṣaraṃ puṃsāṃ mahāpātaka nāśanam || 1 || dhyātvā nīlōtpala śyāmaṃ rāmaṃ rājīvalōchanam | jānakī lakṣmaṇōpētaṃ jaṭāmukuṭa maṇḍitam || 2 || sāsitūṇa dhanurbāṇa pāṇiṃ naktaṃ charāntakam | svalīlayā jagattrātu māvirbhūtamajaṃ vibhum || 3 || rāmarakṣāṃ paṭhētprājñaḥ pāpaghnīṃ sarvakāmadām | śirō mē rāghavaḥ pātu phālaṃ (bhālaṃ) daśarathātmajaḥ || 4|| || dhyānam || kausalyēyō dṛśaupātu viśvāmitrapriyaḥ śṛtī | ghrāṇaṃ pātu makhatrātā mukhaṃ saumitrivatsalaḥ || 5 || jihvāṃ vidyānidhiḥ pātu kaṇṭhaṃ bharatavanditaḥ | skandhau divyāyudhaḥ pātu bhujau bhagnēśakārmukaḥ || 6 || karau sītāpatiḥ pātu hṛdayaṃ jāmadagnyajit | madhyaṃ pātu kharadhvaṃsī nābhiṃ jāmbavadāśrayaḥ || 7 || sugrīvēśaḥ kaṭiṃ pātu sakthinī hanumat-prabhuḥ | ūrū raghūttamaḥ pātu rakṣaḥkula vināśakṛt || 8 || jānunī sētukṛt-pātu jaṅghē daśamukhāntakaḥ | pādau vibhīṣaṇaśrīdaḥ pātu rāmō’khilaṃ vapuḥ || 9 || ētāṃ rāmabalōpētāṃ rakṣāṃ yaḥ sukṛtī paṭhēt | sa chirāyuḥ sukhī putrī vijayī vinayī bhavēt || 10 || pātāḻa-bhūtala-vyōma-chāriṇa-śchadma-chāriṇaḥ | na draṣṭumapi śaktāstē rakṣitaṃ rāmanāmabhiḥ || 11 || 1230 McCully Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Phone: 412-373-3380 Email: [email protected] www.svtemple.org
1230 McCully Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Phone: 412-373-3380 Email: [email protected] www.svtemple.org rāmēti rāmabhadrēti rāmachandrēti vā smaran | narō na lipyatē pāpairbhuktiṃ muktiṃ cha vindati || 12 || jagajjaitraika mantrēṇa rāmanāmnābhi rakṣitam | yaḥ kaṇṭhē dhārayēttasya karasthāḥ sarvasiddhayaḥ || 13 || vajrapañjara nāmēdaṃ yō rāmakavachaṃ smarēt | avyāhatājñaḥ sarvatra labhatē jayamaṅgaḻam || 14 || ādiṣṭavān-yathā svapnē rāmarakṣāmimāṃ haraḥ | tathā likhitavān-prātaḥ prabuddhau budhakauśikaḥ || 15 || ārāmaḥ kalpavṛkṣāṇāṃ virāmaḥ sakalāpadām | abhirāma-strilōkānāṃ rāmaḥ śrīmān sa naḥ prabhuḥ || 16 || taruṇau rūpasampannau sukumārau mahābalau | puṇḍarīka viśālākṣau chīrakṛṣṇājināmbarau || 17 || phalamūlāśinau dāntau tāpasau brahmachāriṇau | putrau daśarathasyaitau bhrātarau rāmalakṣmaṇau || 18 || śaraṇyau sarvasattvānāṃ śrēṣṭhau sarvadhanuṣmatām | rakṣaḥkula nihantārau trāyētāṃ nō raghūttamau || 19 || ātta sajya dhanuṣā viṣuspṛśā vakṣayāśuga niṣaṅga saṅginau | rakṣaṇāya mama rāmalakṣaṇāvagrataḥ pathi sadaiva gachChatām || 20 || sannaddhaḥ kavachī khaḍgī chāpabāṇadharō yuvā | gachChan manōrathō’smākaṃ rāmaḥ pātu sa lakṣmaṇaḥ || 21 || rāmō dāśarathi śśūrō lakṣmaṇānucharō balī | kākutsaḥ puruṣaḥ pūrṇaḥ kausalyēyō raghūttamaḥ || 22 || vēdāntavēdyō yajñēśaḥ purāṇa puruṣōttamaḥ | jānakīvallabhaḥ śrīmānapramēya parākramaḥ || 23 || rāmaṃ dūrvādaḻa śyāmaṃ padmākṣaṃ pītavāsasam | stuvanti nābhi-rdivyai-rnatē saṃsāriṇō narāḥ ॥ 25 ॥ ityētāni japēnnityaṃ madbhaktaḥ śraddhayānvitaḥ | aśvamēdhādhikaṃ puṇyaṃ samprāpnōti na saṃśayaḥ || 24 || rāmaṃ lakṣmaṇa pūrvajaṃ raghuvaraṃ sītāpatiṃ sundaram kākutsthaṃ karuṇārṇavaṃ guṇanidhiṃ viprapriyaṃ dhārmikam | rājēndraṃ satyasandhaṃ daśarathatanayaṃ śyāmalaṃ śāntamūrtim vandē lōkābhirāmaṃ raghukula tilakaṃ rāghavaṃ rāvaṇārim || 26 || rāmāya rāmabhadrāya rāmachandrāya vēdhasē | raghunāthāya nāthāya sītāyāḥ patayē namaḥ || 27 || 1230 McCully Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Phone: 412-373-3380 Email: [email protected] www.svtemple.org
1230 McCully Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Phone: 412-373-3380 Email: [email protected] www.svtemple.org śrīrāma rāma raghunandana rāma rāma śrīrāma rāma bharatāgraja rāma rāma | śrīrāma rāma raṇakarkaśa rāma rāma śrīrāma rāma śaraṇaṃ bhava rāma rāma || 28 || śrīrāma chandra charaṇau manasā smarāmi śrīrāma chandra charaṇau vachasā gṛhṇāmi | śrīrāma chandra charaṇau śirasā namāmi śrīrāma chandra charaṇau śaraṇaṃ prapadyē || 29 || mātā rāmō mat-pitā rāmachandraḥ svāmī rāmō mat-sakhā rāmachandraḥ | sarvasvaṃ mē rāmachandrō dayāḻuḥ nānyaṃ jānē naiva jānē na jānē || 30 || dakṣiṇē lakṣmaṇō yasya vāmē cha (tu) janakātmajā | puratō mārutiryasya taṃ vandē raghunandanam || 31 || lōkābhirāmaṃ raṇaraṅgadhīraṃ rājīvanētraṃ raghuvaṃśanātham | kāruṇyarūpaṃ karuṇākaraṃ taṃ śrīrāmachandraṃ śaraṇyaṃ prapadyē || 32 || manōjavaṃ māruta tulya vēgaṃ jitēndriyaṃ buddhimatāṃ variṣṭam | vātātmajaṃ vānarayūtha mukhyaṃ śrīrāmadūtaṃ śaraṇaṃ prapadyē || 33 || kūjantaṃ rāmarāmēti madhuraṃ madhurākṣaram | āruhyakavitā śākhāṃ vandē vālmīki kōkilam || 34 || bharjanaṃ bhavabījānāmarjanaṃ sukhasampadām | tarjanaṃ yamadūtānāṃ rāma rāmēti garjanam || 36 || rāmō rājamaṇiḥ sadā vijayatē rāmaṃ ramēśaṃ bhajē rāmēṇābhihatā niśācharachamū rāmāya tasmai namaḥ | rāmānnāsti parāyaṇaṃ parataraṃ rāmasya dāsōsmyahaṃ rāmē chittalayaḥ sadā bhavatu mē bhō rāma māmuddhara || 37 || śrīrāma rāma rāmēti ramē rāmē manōramē | sahasranāma tattulyaṃ rāma nāma varānanē || 38 || iti śrībudhakauśikamuni virachitaṃ śrīrāma rakṣāstōtraṃ sampūrṇam || || śrī sītarāmacandrārpaṇamastu || śrīrāma jayarāma jayajayarāma | āpadāmapahartāraṃ dātāraṃ sarvasampadām | lōkābhirāmaṃ śrīrāmaṃ bhūyōbhūyō namāmyaham || 35 || 1230 McCully Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Phone: 412-373-3380 Email: [email protected] www.svtemple.org
1230 McCully Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Phone: 412-373-3380 Email: [email protected] www.svtemple.org Sri Varalakshmi Vratam Graduation Day Ratha Saptami Vaikunta Ekadashi Sri Mahalakshmi Kalyanam 1230 McCully Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Phone: 412-373-3380 Email: [email protected] www.svtemple.org
1230 McCully Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Phone: 412-373-3380 Email: [email protected] www.svtemple.org Sri Rama Navami Sri Maha Sudarshana Homam 1230 McCully Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Phone: 412-373-3380 Email: [email protected] www.svtemple.org
1230 McCully Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Phone: 412-373-3380 Email: [email protected] www.svtemple.org Sri Satyanarayana Swarna Mantapam, Swarna Balipeetam Thiruppavada Seva Teppotsavam 1230 McCully Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Phone: 412-373-3380 Email: [email protected] www.svtemple.org Sri Ganesha Chaturthi
1230 McCully Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Phone: 412-373-3380 Email: [email protected] www.svtemple.org Brahmotsavam 1230 McCully Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Phone: 412-373-3380 Email: [email protected] www.svtemple.org
1230 McCully Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Phone: 412-373-3380 Email: [email protected] www.svtemple.org Sri Saraswati Puja. Deepavali Celebrations Cultural Programs Youth Picnic
1230 McCully Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Phone: 412-373-3380 Email: [email protected] www.svtemple.org Puja Sponsorship/Donation Form Donations Devotee Services Enhancement Fund: Enhancing devotee experience..... ........................ Education Fund : Provide scholarships to high school graduates.......... ........................ Humanitarian : Supporting needy organizations/communities.......... ........................ Religious Assets Fund : These funds will be used for jewelry for deities and any other gold or silver projects. , pushpa alankaram, new vahanas .. ........................ SV Temple Hundi : General Donation........................................................... ........................ Please donate using this LINK Services Abhishekam or Pulangi Seva*............................................................................ $101.00 i) Sri Venkateswara: All Sundays, ii) Sri Ganesha- 1st Saturday, iii) Sri Lakshmi-2nd Saturday, iv) Sri Andal -3rd Saturday, v) Sri Anjaneya (with vada Mala) -4th Saturday & vi) Sri Sudarsana -5th Saturday ($101 Each) Annadanam/Pongal.............................................................................................. $ 35.00 Archana (Sri Venkateswara, Sri Ganesha, Sri Lakshmi, Sri Andal or Sri Anjaneya)........................................................................................................ $ 8.00 each Kalyana Utsavam................................................................................................. $ 51.00 Nitya Seva (Abhishekam, Kalyana Utsavam, Satyanarayana Puja, Sahasranama Archanas for Sri Lakshmi & Sri Venkateswara, and Ekantha Seva)....................................................................................................... $ 151.00 Rathotsavam or Teppotsavam*.......................................................................... $ 101.00 Sahasranama Archana (Sri Lakshmi, Sri Venkateswara, Sri Ganesha **)... $15.00 each Satyanarayana Puja ............................................................................................. $ 51.00 Ekantha Seva......................................................................................................... $ 15.00 Swarna Puspha Archana (Weekend) ................................................................ $ 51.00 Vahana Seva* (Garuda, Gaja, Ashwa, Shesha etc.) Each................................. $ 51.00 Brahmotsavam (All Vahana Sevas).................................................................... $ 251.00 Vasanthotsavam*(All Vahana Sevas)................................................................. $ 151.00 Pavithrotsavam *.................................................................................................. $ 151.00 Tomala Seva.......................................................................................................... $51.00 Asthadhala Pada Padma Aradhana (Saturday)............................................... $51.00 * Please check with the Temple office for Dates ** Only once every month on Sankatahara Chaturthi https://www.svtemple.org/#/services/donation https://www.svtemple.org/#/services/donation https://www.svtemple.org/#/services/temple https://www.svtemple.org/#/services/temple 1230 McCully Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Phone: 412-373-3380 Email: [email protected] www.svtemple.org DONATION
1230 McCully Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Phone: 412-373-3380 Email: [email protected] www.svtemple.org Control Number (if known):............................................................................................................. Last/Family Name:............................................................................................................................. First Name:.......................................................................................................................................... Address:.............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................... Phone/Email:....................................................................................................................................... Old Address, if moved: ..................................................................................................................... Gotram:................................................................................................................................................. Names for whom sponsored Nakshatram ........................................................................... ........................................................................... ........................................................................... ........................................................................... ........................................................................... ........................................................................... ........................................................................... ........................................................................... ........................................................................... ........................................................................... ........................................................................... ........................................................................... Name of Puja Date/s of Puja .......................................................................... ........................................................................... .......................................................................... ........................................................................... .......................................................................... ........................................................................... .......................................................................... ........................................................................... .......................................................................... ........................................................................... .......................................................................... ........................................................................... The Temple requests the donors that are interested in pursuing “Planned Giving” to the temple as part of their Estate planning, please contact Temple office or email to [email protected] or [email protected] Please DONATE using one of following options: Checks payable to : Sri Venkateswara Temple Mailing address S.V. Temple 1230 McCully Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Temple Tax ID: 25-1307095 Register on website: www.svtemple.org Devotee Satisfaction Survey Please scan the code and provide feedback. https://form.jotform.com/srivaru/survey https://www.svtemple.org/#/services/donation 1230 McCully Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Phone: 412-373-3380 Email: [email protected] www.svtemple.org