Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple. Washington DC. The beautiful temple which I try to visit once a month unless am travelling away. I am not very religious but this place really brings peace to me. I have been a regular since past 8 years and lot of it has changed. It has grown bigger in size and in terms of number of devotees.
The name says Shiva Vishnu Temple, but it houses almost all Hindu Gods. There is Lord Ganesha, Lord Muruga, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Lord Ayappa, Lord Rama, Lord Venkatesa, Lord Krisha, and many more. You can see people praying to Gods they like. More devoted onces offer Archanas(special prayers and offering to God).
They have nice auditorium where they have community functions and they also teach kids about literature, dance, languages, etc. On other side of temple, you could see someone performing car Puja so as to ask God keep his car safe in traffic(I think).
One thing I like in South Indians is that they are more devoted and I can see them more regular at temple. And perhaps, they are the only ones in all age groups. They dress the kids in traditional clothes and that is a treat to watch.
Today during the Archana, someone had his cellphone ring and that big guy starts talking loudly for full two minutes. Maybe that was important call but does someone have to keep talking right at middle of Archana? I may never understand.
One interesting thing I have noticed is lot many people here go to temple regularly compared to time they would be in India. Like myself, I hardly used to go to temple in India. Here I am quite a regular.
And yes, to be honest, one of the reason a bachelor like me makes it a point to get up early on weekend and drive for 45 mins to go see Gods is food at temple. Without doubt that would be the best food I can rate and savour. Just Yummy ;)
23 comments:
Why does this pic remind me so much of the Murugan temple in Sydney? OMG they look so much alike! Even the place etc.
**One interesting thing I have noticed is lot many people here go to temple regularly compared to time they would be in India.
thats cos Temple seems like a luxury when we live overseas. Cos at home there r so many temples everywhere.
haha so u go for the food? well I must admit that temple food is always extra yummy.
Keshi.
Ohhh!! how nice..the amt of peace u get on visiting a temple is immense :)
I love your honesty!!! The temple looks beautiful...something, I am sorry to say, I've never experienced...one day.
Great post!!! What a beautiful picture! Thank you so much for stopping by, I'm glad you enjoy my paintings! :o) No, I haven't joined an art college but I would like to. Thank you again! :o)
Megzzy if ur reading this, I cant see ur blog :(
Keshi.
Kritika : Thanks.
Jon : Wish you all the best. I am sure you'll get the best college.
Keshi : They all have similar design, taken from tirupati temple.
Meg : It is equally beautiful from inside. If you get a chance, you can try visit. You dont have to pray, just follow the custom of removing shoes outside. It is different like any other culture and hard for me to describe in words.
Vibhor : One of the reason, yes. Thanks for stopping by.
Keshi : Meg has added new feature wherein she can block people from her blog. She said she is experimenting with you first ;)
Meg : Your flattering me with good words, post after post ;)
hmm . good tht there are all Gods at one place
the colour white is beautiful
Peace
Ishi : Durga Puja and Navratri comes at same time right?
Your Blogsite looks good and colorful in new format. Especially WINNIE the Pooh!! Lolz. Lemme know how the beta version is, I may upgrade my blog too.
Ajay : When would you update your blog? Too Busy?
omg is that for real? I mean Meg blocking me n all? SOBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBZ!
Keshi.
***Just Yummy ;)***
LOL. Now thats one honest admission for sure!! :)
Somebody : Lolzzzz..." pretty quick response" literally cracked me up.
Keshi : Really :) Shez blocking you.
Mumbai guy....you are a brat!!! LOL
and an instigator....a darn charming one btw....
Keshi...I was so not blocking you, sorry about that...I hope things are fixed now...
so true.temple food is yummy, especially when you are away from home.
HEY Mumbaiya.....So nice to get here finally...Okie, I would have been too carried away with Mumbai Guy name tht didnt realise you were in DC....
Next when u mentioned u go to temples I thought u were married too as the ppl who go to temples here r the married ones as their wifes get tht routine and discipline into them...In Atl it was tht way!
I have been to the Atl temple once, it was nice too...:)
Mobile phones, we r not tto understand why they cant follow rules when someone tells the mmobiles r to be in silent etc...I guess all temples have tht rule n it is to be obeyed in all accords...Maybe they need to understand n not u...Or again, the priority for them is different n compliance is something they r not comfi with...Okie I am crapping here, means its time for me to sleeeeeeeep...:)
Hey man thts good and i guess tht we become aware more abt our values 'n culture away frm our abode-isnt it..
gr8 man!
...and yeah all the while i thought tht Mumbai Guy must be located sumwhr in mumbai-but the lad is in US! he he
all da bst mate!
Good to know about the temples in DC. And also that u go there regularly. I have experienced that as well, here in australia, that i make it point to go to the temple more particularly than back in india. I think the reason being, we miss r country and being away from family makes u more close to that eternal divine power which makes u feel homely.
Reading this related to a temple that i go here in australia, which is similar in look (typically a srilankan or a south indian temple) with all gods in it.
And about the cellphone, here is what happened on ganesh chaturthi when i went with my friend to this temple and luckily had the grace to see the abhishek. Just before entering the temple my friend said "Dont forget to turn off ur phone as it always keeps ringing on sunday" (usually my family and friends call on sundays), i said i already did it buddy. And then during the abhishek when everyone is totally engrosed in the divine beauty, thinking about god and about this auspicious occasion, my friends cellphone buzzed loud, with his typicall annoying awful ringtone, and he did answer that call. What a shame!
Anyways mumbai guy, i should post my temple experience soon ....
Cheers
Meg : LOLZ. Good to see blog link back on your profile.
Starry : Yupe.
Scribb : Welcome Back. Hey, I may take my wife to temple if she needs discipline ;) I am from Mumbai, settled in DC.
Prachi : Lots of beautiful temples around here. Thanks for stopping by.
Mayur : Scribb thought the same. Not entirely wrong since I come from Mumbai. ;)
Vaibhav : That cell phone example of yours holds true for many. Even with our friends. Sad.
"Like myself, I hardly used to go to temple in India. Here I am quite a regular." - it must be your little way of going home once a month without the expensive flight fares and the jet lag :)
lol I know Megzzy dun worry...MG is a cute lil brat indeed :):)
Keshi.
Amy...Your close to being right ;) No jet lag...No flying...lolz....
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