Greater Baltimore Hindu-Jain Temple
P.O. Box 690, 2909 Bloom Road, Finksburg, MD 21048
Priests
Pandit Joshiji
Meet Pandit Padmanabha Joshi, a revered scholar and priest hailing from Haridwar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand. Pandit Joshiji's spiritual journey began in the sacred city of Haridwar, where he embarked on his education. He earned his SHASTRI (BA) and Acharya (M.A. in Sanskrit) degrees from Sampurnananda Sanskrit University in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. His pursuit of knowledge led him to Meerut University, where he obtained his B.A. degree.
Pandit Joshiji's dedication to learning extended to the profound realms of the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, and other sacred scriptures. He obtained the prestigious Pourohitya Bhushanam credential from Rishikul Vidya Peeth in Haridwar, Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, Pandit Joshiji delved into the teachings of Adhyatma Yoga at The Divine Life Society, Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh, Uttar Pradesh.
Commencing his spiritual service in 1981, Pandit Joshiji dutifully served as a priest at the Bharat Mata Mandir for five years. He then transitioned to his role as an editor for the religious Hindi magazine, Prabhu Prem Pukar, at Prabhu Premi Sangh in Mahesh Nagar, Ambala Camp, Haryana. In 1991, his spiritual journey led him across the oceans to Columbia, South Carolina, USA, where he became a cherished priest at the Hindu Temple & Cultural Center of South Carolina. In 1998, he was honored to assume the esteemed position of chief priest at the Greater Baltimore Temple.
Pandit Joshiji's profound connection with the divine goes beyond the temple walls. In addition to the daily pujas conducted at the temple, he performs sacred rituals and samskaras at various locations. His mastery extends to reciting and narrating the revered kathas, including Shreemad Bhagwat Mahapurana, Shreemad Ramayana, Shreemad Devi Bhagwat Mahapurana, and Shree Shiva Mahapurana. Pandit Joshiji possesses a gift for languages, enabling him to connect with a diverse congregation. He is proficient in languages such as Hindi, Sanskrit, Gujarati, English, Nepalese, and Punjabi.
Pandit Muraliji
Meet Pandit Singanallur Venkatesa Murali, a distinguished scholar and devout Hindu priest whose spiritual journey is deeply rooted in ancient traditions. Pandit Muraliji embarked on his path of spiritual learning by immersing himself in the sacred teachings of Yajur Veda at Veda Patashala in Chittur, Kerala, dedicating six years of his life to the study of Krishna Yajur Veda.
Continuing his quest for knowledge, Pandit Muraliji pursued the "SHASTRI" course in Sanskrit at Kendriya Sanskrit Vidya Peeth in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. His dedication to Sanskrit and Vedic studies led him to remarkable academic achievements, including a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Sanskrit from Sri Venkateshwara University in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. His scholarly pursuits expanded further as he earned a Master of Philosophy and a Ph.D. in Sanskrit from Delhi University, specializing in Advaita Vedanta philosophy. Additionally, he acquired a Master of Education and a Master of Library Information Science from Annamalai University in Tamil Nadu.
Pandit Murali's journey of service began with 16 years of honorable service as a Hindu Priest in the Indian Army, where his spiritual guidance touched the lives of many. His devotion to his calling led him to serve as a Hindu Priest at the Hindu Temple in Ottawa, Canada, before he embraced the spiritual community at The Hindu Temple in Nebraska. Subsequently, he continued his sacred role as a Hindu priest at the Sanatan Dharma Mandir in Tampa, Florida, prior to his esteemed arrival at the Greater Baltimore Temple in 2005, where he continues to serve as a dedicated Hindu Priest.
Pandit Prashanthji
Meet Pandit Prashanth Narasimha, a young and energetic priest who is from an Archaka family from Bengaluru, Karnataka. He is very knowledgeable in “Krishna Yajur Veda”. He is trained under Pancharatragama Vidwan Sampath Kumar Bhattacharya, Retd., a Hindu priest at Hindu Temple of St. Louis, MO.
He has an MBA from Bengaluru University, Bengaluru. In addition to his education, he has given Pravara and Praveena exams from “Maharaja Samskrutha Agama Patshala”, Mysore. He has M.A. in Vishistadwaitha Vedanta (Philosophy of Ramanujacharya) from Karnataka Samskrutha Vishva Vidyalaya, Chamarajapete, Bengaluru. He got his Pancharatragama training under Pancharatragama Vidwan D. Krishna Bhattar, Retd. Hindu Priest, Hindu American Temple and Cultural Center, Morganville, NJ.
He is well versed in performing Bramhotsavam, Nityaaradhana, Shodasha Karmam, Shradhas (both Bodayana and Apastambiya prayoga).
Pandit Prashanth’s journey of Archaka began from the year 2016. He was a Priest at Sree Veeranjanaya Swamy Temple, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru, prior to his arrival at Greater Baltimore Temple in 2024, where he continues to serve as a dedicated Hindu Priest. He is affluent in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Sanskrit and English.
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