Karthika Pournami Celebrations in Washington DC Metro Area 2025: Temple Guide & Events

The Washington DC metropolitan area, encompassing parts of Maryland, Virginia, and the District itself, hosts vibrant Karthika Pournami observances on November 5, 2025. With a large Indian-American community, especially Telugu and Tamil populations, temples blend traditional South Indian rituals with community-focused events. Celebrations emphasize lamp lighting (deepam), combined Shiva-Vishnu pujas, and annadanam (free meals), adapted for working professionals with evening timings. Key temples draw hundreds of devotees for all-day programs, fostering interfaith harmony and cultural education for youth. Eco-friendly clay diyas and virtual streaming options are common for broader participation.

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🛕 Sri Siva Vishnu Temple (SSVT), Lanham, MD

Address: 6905 Cipriano Road, Lanham, MD 20706 (about 12 miles from downtown DC)

Significance: One of the largest Hindu temples in the US, dedicated to both Shiva and Vishnu, making it ideal for Karthika Pournami’s dual worship. Established in 1985, it serves the DC area’s diverse Hindu community with South Indian architectural elements and daily rituals.

2025 Events (Adjusted for Eastern Time; confirm locally as tithi ends at 6:48 PM):

• Morning Program (6:00 AM – 11:00 AM): Suprabhatam (dawn chants), Rudrabhishekam for Shiva using bilva leaves, milk, and sacred water; Vishnu Sahasranama recitation. Holy bath (snana) encouraged before entry.
• Midday Satyanarayana Puja (11:00 AM – 1:00 PM): Group vratam with fruits, coconuts, and tulasi leaves; special emphasis on Matsya Avatar legend.
• Evening Deepotsavam (5:00 PM – 8:00 PM): 365-wick lamp lighting ceremony at dusk, maha arti, bhajans, and kirtans. Community bonfire (where permitted) symbolizing Shiva’s Tripurantaka victory.
• Annadanam and Cultural Activities: Free vegetarian meal distribution (sattvic foods like pongal, payasam, and panakam) from 7:00 PM. Youth storytelling on Kartikeya’s birth and classical dance performances.

Special Features:

• Accommodates families with children’s participation in lamp arrangement.
• Multilingual priests offer guidance in English, Telugu, and Tamil.
• Charity drive: Donations for food banks and educational funds, equating to “ten yajnas” merit.
• Parking: Ample lot; arrive early for peak crowds. Dress code: Traditional attire preferred; conservative clothing required.

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🛕 Rajdhani Mandir, Chantilly, VA

Address: 4525 Pleasant Valley Road, Chantilly, VA 20151 (about 25 miles west of DC)

Significance: A prominent North Indian-style temple serving the Northern Virginia Hindu community since 1985, with shrines for Shiva, Vishnu, and Kartikeya. It hosts inclusive events blending Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions.

2025 Events:

• All-Day Observance (Sunrise to Moonrise): Early morning snana and tulasi puja; multiple abhishekam sessions.
• Evening Celebrations (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM): Lamp lighting with ghee diyas, discourses on Radha-Krishna rasalila, and group fasting break with fruits and milk.
• Community Gathering: Bhajans led by local artists; prasadam including halwa and coconut laddoos.

Special Features:

• Weekend extension (November 1-2 weekend) for working families.
• Eco-initiatives: LED lamps for apartment dwellers; sustainable packaging for prasadam.
• Interfaith welcome: Guides for non-Hindus; English explanations of rituals.

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🛕 BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chantilly, VA

Address: 1360 Gude Drive, Rockville, MD 20850 (near DC; alternate location in Chantilly for events)

Significance: Part of the global Swaminarayan network, focusing on devotion to Swaminarayan (Vishnu avatar) with ornate marble architecture. Popular for family-oriented festivals.

2025 Events:

• Morning to Evening Puja (7:00 AM – 7:00 PM): Combined Shiva-Vishnu homam; emphasis on Kartikeya worship with peacock feather offerings.
• Deepam Ceremony (6:30 PM Onward): Row lamps along pathways; evening arti with camphor.
• Youth and Charity Focus: Kids’ workshops on lamp symbolism; donations to local shelters.

Special Features:

• Live streaming for virtual participation.
• Annadanam: Sattvic meals with fasting-friendly options.
• Accessible for seniors with shuttle services from DC.

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🛕 Sri Venkateswara Temple, Northern Virginia (SVT-NV)

Address: 3900 Ellicott St NW, Washington, DC 20008 (DC proper; additional site in Fairfax, VA)

Significance: A key Telugu community hub modeled after Tirupati, ideal for Vishnu-centric rituals during Karthika month.

2025 Events:

• Full-Day Schedule (5:30 AM – 8:30 PM): Suprabhatam, archana bookings, and evening deepa pradakshina (circumambulation with lamps).
• Special Pournami Program (Evening): Satyanarayana vratam batches; cultural performances like Carnatic music on Shiva Purana themes.

Special Features:

• Online archana sponsorships.
• Community potluck with traditional recipes like appam and kesari.

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🌆 DC Area Community Features

• Adaptations for Urban Life: Evening events (post-6:00 PM) suit professionals; indoor lamp lighting for safety in apartments. Virtual satsangs via temple apps.
• Cultural Integration: Programs for second-generation Indian-Americans include English-led sessions on spiritual benefits like karma cleansing.
• Charity Initiatives: Temples coordinate with local organizations for food distribution, clothing drives, and scholarships—philanthropy multiplies blessings tenfold.
• Transportation Tips: Metro access to Lanham (Green Line) or Chantilly (Silver Line); carpooling recommended for Virginia sites. Expect traffic near Beltway exits.
• For First-Timers: Temples provide volunteer guides; photography allowed in outer areas but not during pujas. No entry fee; donations appreciated.

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These celebrations connect DC’s Hindu diaspora to ancient traditions, illuminating the capital with divine light. Whether at a grand temple or home altar, devotion on November 5 fosters unity and grace.

Om Namah Shivaya | Om Namo Narayanaya