Sri Tumuluri Venkateswara Sarma Garu, formerly a priest with the Mahalakshmi Temple in Ashland, MA, passed away on Friday the 30th August in his hometown of Hyderabad, India, after a long struggle with throat cancer. He was 53 and leaves behind his wife, three children and three grandchildren.

Aside from being a highly regarded vedic pundit and priest, Sri Sarma ji was a pioneering individual in the Indian community. He actively championed many innovative programs at the Mahalakshmi Temple and initiated many in the Boston area into the path of vedic Parameswara worship. With sheer individual drive and against many personal and institutional odds, he started the unique practice of month-long akhanda rudrabhishekam during the month of Kartikam, a tradition that continues to this day in the Boston area. It was his single-minded devotion and commitment to the betterment of the community that led him to found the Parvati-Parameswara Temple in Lowell, as a haven for rigorous vedic worship and spiritual upliftment.

Sri Sarma ji's many initiated and uninitiated disciples fondly remember his unparalleled patience as a teacher and his devotion towards them. His unwillingness to deviate from the rigors of sanatana dharmic practices could only be matched by his broad-mindedness and his generosity towards all. Sri Sarmaji touched the lives of many and transformed those he touched. Above all, his unwavering devotion and desire to ever be in the service of Lord Siva is a trait not easily found in this day and age, and is not easily forgotten by the many that were fortunate enough to know him.

A vedic memorial service to honor Sri Sarma ji, with Ganesha Abhishekam, Mahaanyasam and Rudrabhishekam, will be held this Saturday, the 14th September, at 5:30 PM at the Parvati Parameswara Temple in Lowell (1527 Middlesex Street, Unit 5, Lowell, MA). Please make it convenient to attend and add your prayers for Sri Sarmaji's eternal peace. Any donations meant for his family will be gladly accepted.

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