Welcome to SriRanganatha Temple, Pomona, NY
Know your Priests
 

Priests of the Ranganatha Temple are committed to providing you with the best possible service with utmost sincerity, devotion and zeal with strict reverence to the Vaishnava sampradaya.  Their sublime devotion rich with religious fervor, Vedic knowledge and their deep relish for our traditions, adds to the holy ambience (Sannidhyam) of the temple, engrossing devotees in spirituality and delight.

Srinivasa Raghavan Paravasthu (Chief Priest)

Srinivasa Raghavan Paravasthu serves as the chief priest of our temple. He is serving the temple since May 2007. He originally hails from Hyderabad and he has been extensively trained in Pancharathma Agama Sastras from his father Shri: Venkatanathachariar and his Uncle Shri: Ramanujacharyar. He is well renowned for his knowledge in Pancharathma Agamam and he is a connoisseur when it comes to leading the conduct of all temple Uthsavams. With a clear diction, he is also very eloquent in the recitation of prabandhams (of azhwars) and stothras of Shri. Vedanta Desikan. He is an erudite scholar with vast knowledge in the field of Vaishnavism. Prior to joining Sri Ranganatha Temple in May 2007, he gathered over 20 years of extensive experience serving the Ahobila Mutt Ramar temple in Dornakal. He is a sishya of Sri Ahobila Mutt and performed Saranagathi to Sriman Narayana, through his acharya, the 45th Jeer of Sri Ahobila Mutt. He is an expert in performing all shubakaryam and ceremonies. He is well versed in Sanskrit and also fluent in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi and English. He and his wife are blessed with two sons and a daughter.


  

M S Narayanan

M S Narayanan Bhatter is originally from Bangalore and he came under the tutelage of his uncle Shri: Sampathkumar Bhattacharya. His specialty is in alankaram, adorning and decorating the idols. Everyone can appreciate his remarkable creativity in alankarams. He is popularly known in the Temple as “Alankara Bhattar”. His dexterity in decoration exudes a sense of cherubic authenticity that truly captivates and enthralls devotees. He belongs to the swayamacharya tradition. Prior to joining Ranganatha temple in 2001 and in April 2006, he has served the Bangalore Devagiri Temple and Bangalore Mysore bank circle Sri Anjenayer Temple. He can fluently speak Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. He and his wife are blessed with two daughters.

 


  

Sridharan Iyengar

Sridharan Iyengar is serving our temple since September 2009. He is a native of Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu.  He underwent his Sastram education in Mathuranthagam Padasalai under the guidance of Utramerrur Shri: Vasudevachariar.  He was also trained in agamam by Sridharachariar.  With respect to this professional education, he holds a diploma in Mechanical Engineering. Prior to joining Sri Ranganatha Temple in September 2009, he worked for about 7 years at Rama Vaikundanathar Temple at Pushkaram in Rajasthan.  He also worked as stores Manager at TVS, Vellore for 3 years. He is well versed in Vendanta Desikan Srothras and Prabandhams.  He also has all around multi-facted skills and experience in Alankaram (adorning deities), temple utsavams, upadyayam and Madapalli (Temple Kitchen).  He belongs to Andavan Ashramam and he is well versed in speaking Tamil, Hindi, Rajasthani/Marvadi and English.  He and his wife are blessed with two sons and one daughter.


  

Suresh Ranganathan

Suresh Ranganathan is originally from Kancheepuram district in Tamil Nadu.  He underwent his Veda Divya prabandha sastram education in Selayur Padasalai under the guidance of Oragadam Shri: LakshmiNarasimhachriar.  Prior to joining Sri Ranganatha Temple in September 2011, he worked in Balaji Mandir in Pune for 2 years and then at Thiruneer Malai Poundreepuram Ashramam. He is well versed in 4000 Divya Prabandhams, Upayuktha Vedams and Pancharathma Agamam.  He speaks Tamil and English.  He and his wife are blessed with one son.


  

Murali Krishnan (Cook)

Murali Krishnan formerly hails from Kancheepuram in Tamilnadu. He is the Paricharagar, in charge of the Madaipalli (, the temple kitchen), serving the temple since November 2006. He holds his bachelors degree in arts specializing in Psychology, History and English literature. He specializes in Ahobila Mutt tradition of preparing prasadams, rich, truly authentic, delectable in taste and alluring in aroma. He is popularly known for his punctuality and unrelenting passion towards his services even during very busy times at the temple. He belongs to Ahobila mutt, and prior to joining Ranganatha temple in November 2006, he has served several temples associated with Ahobila Mutt. He performed Saranagathi to Sriman Narayana through his acharya, the 45th Jeer of Sri Ahobila Mutt. While serving Ahobila Mutt, he came under the tutelage of Shri: Navajeevam Tirupati Sridhar Acharya. He also comes with 10 years of work experience as a Marketing Manager, which gave him the opportunity to travel all around India. He is very articulate in speaking Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Malyalam and English. He and his wife are blessed with two daughters and a son. 


  

Parthasarathi Mankala (Cook)

Parthasarathi Mankala serves in the Temple Kitchen. He is a native from Mahaboob Nagar in Andra Pradesh. He joined our Temple during the Brahamotsavam function in June 2010. Prior to joining our temple, he rendered his services for 11 years at the Lakshmi Hayagreevar Temple in Mahaboob Nagar (AP), 2 years at the Ahobila Mutt in Hyderabad and 2 years at Sita Ramachandra Temple in Hyderabad. He has also traveled to several places with the Ahobila Mutt to help with key events and functions. He has extensive experience preparing all varieties of Prasadams with a traditional touch, coming under the guidance of his father Sri: Raghavachariar Mankala. He belongs to Parakala Mutt. He holds his Bachelors degree in arts specializing political science. He is affluent in speaking Telugu, Tamil, Hindi and English. He and his wife are blessed with a son and a daughter.


  

Dr. Venkat Kanumalla

 


  

Dr. Murthy Ayyala

 


  

Srinivas Tanikella

 


  

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