Pittsburgh Sri Venkateswara Temple Timings:
Mon-Thu: 9:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Fridays: 9:00 AM to 9:30 PM
Sat and Sun: 9:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Sri Venkateswara Temple also known as SV Temple is located in Penn Hills, a suburb east of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. This is one of the first traditional Hindu temples built in the United States.
Pittsburgh Sri Venkateswara Temple History:
Sri Venkateswara temple organization was established on August 7, 1975. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) assistance for the construction of the temple was requested on September 11, 1975 and was granted on the same day. On June 30, 1976, the ground breaking took place and was followed by pratisthapana on November 17, 1976. A daily worship has been going on since then.
Other Significant Events:
June 8, 1977 – Kumbhabhishekam
October 22, 1978 – Dedication of Rajagopuram
May 28, 1979 – Dedication of Pushkarini
August 31, 1986 – Sahasrakalasabishekam
November 17, 1986 – 10th Anniversary Celebration
March 22, 1989 to May 21, 1989 – Jirnodharanam
May 25, 1989 – Kumbhabhishekam
August 25, 1989 to September 3, 1989 – Ashtalakshmi Pooja and Sudarsana Homam
November 23, 1990 – Srinivasa and Padmavati Mahakalyanotsavam
November 23, 1990 – Inauguration of the Auditorium and Kalyanamandapam
May 25, 1991 to May 27, 1991 – Maha Satyanarayana Pooja
October 26, 2001 to October 25, 2002 – 25th Anniversary celebrations: Year long Tulasidala Archana, Koti Tulasidala Archana, Ashtakshari Mahamantra Yagna Sri MahaVishnu Viswashanti Yagna and Maha Yagna, Sahasra Rajata Kalashabhisekham
August 26th to 30th, 2009 – Kumbhabhisekham
The SV Temple was built at a cost of several million dollars with donations from devotees of the United States and several countries. Most of the donors were first-generation Indian immigrants who sought to maintain links with their parent culture.
Structure:
The plans of the Sri Venkateswara Temple were designed and planned by Sthapathy Ganapathi working in the technical cell of the endowment department, Andhra Pradesh, India, on August 2, 1973. Sri Venkateswara Temple, Sri Tayar (Lakshmi) Temple, Sri Andal Temple . It is different from Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Agama:
This SV Hindu temple is built according to the Agama Sastras in the image of the human body. The two sides of the temple represent the hands and the upper part of the temple represents the head. The deity Venkateswara rests in the deepest recess called Garbhagraha (sanctum sanctorum). The SV Temple in Pittsburgh follows the temple texts known as Pancharatra Agama, which includes 108 samhitas.
Archa Roopam:
The state of Agama says that Narayana, the eternal Divine Being, is to be worshiped in the Archa Roopam / iconic form in temples and houses. The Hindu devotee believes that divine power has manifested itself in the murti (icon / idol). Major religious events such as Kumbhabhishekam are performed to revitalize the Murti with divine power, which may be diluted or lost due to transgressions unknowingly committed by priests or the faithful. Adore Archai Avatara while Sri Hari gives devotees access to God and His power.
Priests:
The rules of agama require that a priest of the temple serve and mediate between the worshiper and God. The priests of the Vaishnava temple are known as Bhaktacharya, Bhattacharya or simply Bhattar. They come from families with the Temple Priesthood as their traditional occupation and learn their skills from an early age. All daily and weekly rituals are performed by the priests. Special occasions like Kumbhabhishekam require additional priests, who are then invited to other temples in the United States and India.
Worship:
Different types of religious services performed in the temple: Archana, Abhishekam, Sathyanarayana Puja, Kalyana Utsavam, Homa and many others that are published in “Services”, “Programs and News”.
Pittsburgh Sri Venkateswara Temple Services inside & Outside Temple:
Srivaru Thomala Seva
Srivaru Ashtha dala Paada Padmaaradhana Seva
Archana for Sri Venkateswara
Archana for Sri Lakshmi
Nitya Seva
Archana for Sri Andal
Archana for Sri Anjaneya
Archana for Sri Ganesa
Archana for Sri Sudarsana
Sri Venkateswara Sahasranama Archana
Sri Lakshmi Sahasranama Archana
Sri Ganesa Sahasranama Archana
Satyanarayana Puja
Kalyana Utsavam
Purnima Sri Satyanarayana Puja
Purnima Sri Satyanarayana Puja
Swarnapushpa Archana
Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam
Sri Ganesa Abhishekam
Sri Lakshmi Abhishekam
Sri Andal Abhishekam
Sri Anjaneya Abhishekam
Sri Anjaneya Vadala
Sri Sudarsana Abhishekam
Annadan – Salt Pongal
Annadan – Sweet Pongal
Car Puja
Ekantha Seva-Friday
Ekantha Seva
Ekantha Seva-Friday
Hair Offering
Annaprasan
Aksharabhyas
Nakaran
Swarna Rathotsav
Homam
Gruha Pravesam
Seemantham
Satyanarayana Puja
Pittsburgh Sri Venkateswara Temple Address:
1230 S McCully Dr,
Pittsburgh,
PA 15235, USA
Phone: +1 412-373-3380
e-mail: srivaru@svtemple.org