हिंदीOn this day
Standing

Sri Siva Vishnu Temple, Lanham

Outside Washington, D.C., the Hindus of the capital built a temple where Shiva and Vishnu are honoured side by side under one roof, its towers in the Chola style and its Guruvayurappan shrine in the Kerala manner. It is among the largest Hindu temples in North America.

Built: Trust formed 1980; building begun 1988, first shrines 1990, completed 2002 and dedicated in 2003, in Chola and Kerala stylesWhere: Maryland (Prince George’s County, near Washington, D.C.), United StatesDeity: Bhagwan Shiva and Bhagwan Vishnu, with many shrines38.97° N, -76.84° E
  1. 31 January 1980
  2. 1990
  3. July 2003
Photo: Docku · CC BY-SA 3.0

01Hari and Hara together

The Sri Siva Vishnu Temple Trust was formed in 1980 by families of the capital area who wanted one temple that all could share. Work began in 1988, the first shrines were consecrated in 1990, and the last deity was installed in 2002; the whole temple was dedicated with a kumbhabhishekam in July 2003. Shiva and Vishnu face east from twin main shrines, with Ganesha, Murugan, Venkateswara, Meenakshi, Ayyappa and the Navagrahas around them. Silpis from Tamil Nadu and Kerala carved and built it.

02A temple for a diaspora

The temple serves families from every part of India and from Sri Lanka, and its calendar runs from Mahashivaratri and Vaikuntha Ekadashi to Onam and Navratri. It keeps a cultural hall, classes in Sanskrit, Vedic chanting, music and dance for children, and priests trained in both Shaiva and Vaishnava Agamas. For many Hindus of the Washington region, weddings, upanayanams and first rice-feedings happen here.

The life of this place

  1. 31 January 1980The Sri Siva Vishnu Temple Trust is formed.
  2. 1990The first shrines are installed; the first kumbhabhishekam follows in 1991.
  3. July 2003The completed temple is dedicated with a kumbhabhishekam.
Visiting

Lanham, Maryland, about 20 km east of downtown Washington, D.C. Weekend mornings are busiest.

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