By Madmax673
For anyone interested in ‘Kovil Thirupani’ (temple deeds & renovation), a visit to the Sri Siva Vishnu Temple in Lanham, MD is a great opportunity.
Looks like the temple is working on procuring “Mooshika Vahana” (Mouse vehicle for Lord Ganesh) for ‘Vahana Seva’ at $15,000 for use in the temple festivals.
Devotees are requested to contribute – tax exempt!
When I entered Cipriano Road, Lanham (MD), my eye was zooming here and there for the temple until I realized, I had 1.5 miles yet to cross.
The serene road itself hinted to me of the Supreme Being’s presence.
I fumbled here and there but no one honked behind me.That made me even more comfy and settled my nerves.
Sri Siva Vishnu Temple Lanham, MD
After doing a few rounds to get a parking spot, as it was full (Easter weekend and ‘Panguni Uthram’), I found one exactly in front of the temple.
Sri Siva Vishnu Temple Deities
It all started with the shrine of Lord Karthikeya as I walked in the main door, followed by the shrines of Lord Siva as Ramanatha Swami, left of him, glancing east, was a shrine for Durga Devi, a few yards behind her, parallel to Siva sits Swami Ayyappa.
Sri Siva Vishnu Temple Lanham Main Entrance
Besides there were shrines of Lord Ganesha, Saraswathi, Parvathi, Lakshmi, Krishna and Andal.
Krishna without the flute stumped me and it didn’t take long for the striking Udupi deity to get into my mind.
Sri Siva Vishnu Temple Lanham Side View
And then the great Balaji!
Shrines of Hanuman and Rama were close together.
The shrine of Maha Vishnu in his reclining posture reminded me of Sri Ranganatha Swami that made me too nostalgic.
That reminded me that my mission wasn’t accomplished yet.
Sri Siva Vishnu Temple Canteen
Beware!
“No Smoking. No Alcohol. No Non-veg”.
Sri Siva Vishnu Temple Lanham Canteen Entrance
Masala Vada
After waiting through a long line when my turn hit, my sight went straight on what looked like ‘Maddur Vada’ and I started drooling instantly.
But it turned out to be only ‘Masala Vada’ and not the best taste.
Sri Siva Vishnu Temple Masala Vada
I suspect the caterers were resolutely orthodox so they even refrained from onion and garlic.
Lemon Rice
As my expectations nosedived, I reluctantly opened the lemon rice box.
A sudden twist in the taste and I was pleasantly surprised.
Sri Siva Vishnu Temple Lemon Rice
The rice was not too thick and mushy.
Not only did the texture feel good but the taste was also good.
Spice was at its right amount.
The split lentils and the Bengal gram rocked most bites!
Tamarind Rice
The Tamarind rice was a big disappointment despite its mouth watering texture.
Sri Siva Vishnu Temple Tamarind Rice
Yogurt Rice
Yogurt rice was little too sharp and sour that I didn’t personally find the best.
I bet a lot people crave that kind of sourness.
Sri Siva Vishnu Temple Yogurt Rice
The pickle was good though.
Idly Sambar
The biggest disappointment of all was the Idly Sambar.
It was smothered with asafoetida.
It also had green beans which I found a little strange.
I wish it had some chutney to go with it.
Sri Siva Vishnu Temple Idly Sambar
Oh well…it was just a Saturday menu.
Mixture, Muruku
But as an icing on the cake I ended up taking to my suite a full packet of mixture and murukku.
Sri Siva Vishnu Temple Mixture
The mixture was friggin’ delicious!
Crispy, fresh, yummy and spicy enough to satisfy all corners of your taste buds.
Sri Siva Vishnu Temple Muruku
Amusement
The Temple also has a play area with swings for both kids and adults.
Other than these, after doing three rounds inside the temple, I suddenly noticed a picture that had a priest receiving Obama with a silk shawl in the front hall.
The President looked a bit miffed.
Nice Blessing
Rarely do we get the opportunity to see a lot of major deities gathered at one spot.
Lanham, MD has it, folks.
I would happily recommend a visit to Sri Siva Vishnu Temple in Lanham, MD with your family.
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Sri Siva Vishnu Temple Lanham, MD – South Indian Blessing for the Soul & Stomach added by SearchIndia.com on
View all posts by SearchIndia.com →
@Madmax673: “The shrine of Maha Vishnu in his reclining posture reminded me of Sri Ranganatha Swami that made me too nostalgic.”
Nostalgic because you are from or have visited Srirangam?
Naveen: Nostalgic because you are from or have visited Srirangam?
Very close. But yeah, I have a home in Srirangam.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Pleasant memories of visiting the Srirangam Rockfort temple in the 1970s.
The two warring factions of Hinduism, Saivism and Vaishnavism; has to come together for betterment of Hinduism. Both of the factions has wonderful pluses and fatal flaws in their system. By their inclusive existence, i think, they can do better to Hindu masses (if they intend to do).
Even though, Hinduism is one of the oldest religions of world, it couldn’t reach worldwide, because of two major factors, one is age long CASTEISM and another one is the rivalry between Saivites and Vaishnavities. Even if they can’t do away with these two flaws, they should try to minimize effects of two flaws which is decaying Hinduism.
I haven’t seen temples in Trichy. I had made plans to visit Samyapuram Mariamman, Rockfort, Sri Rangam, Jambukeswar and Erumbeeswarar temples in future. Is my list a good one?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. It’s been decades since I visited Trichy. The only temples I vaguely recollect going to are Rockfort, Sri Rangam and maybe Jambukeswar.
2. Upper class and Middle class Hindus, like Christians in the West, are completely swept away by the tsunami of Consumerism. Lower class Hindus are caught in the daily fight for survival.
Religion for Hindus lacks the militancy and potency of Islam for its adherents. That’s one reason why unfortunately Islam has a better chance of coming out on top in the long run. That and the higher rate of breeding among Muslims.
Studies have shown that Muslims are breeding at higher than replacement rates compared to Christians in the West. I suspect Muslims are breeding at higher than replacement rates compared to Hindus too! See http://www.searchindia.com/2011/01/31/muslims-breed-double-the-rate-of-non-muslims/
A religion without militancy is bound to wither on the vine of indifference and cowardice.
Hinduism needs the equivalent of a million Madrasas to overcome the challenge posed by Islam.
Without the strong financial support and a strategic alliance of Upper and Middle class Hindus, Hinduism is in grave danger of being eclipsed by Islam. And where Muslims are in the majority, they tend to be less tolerant of other religions. 🙁