Samarpanam at Sarva Dev Mandir Rescheduled to November 15 Due to Weather Concerns

OXFORD, MA — The 25th anniversary celebration of Sarva Dev Mandir, featuring Indian-American vocalist Anuradha “Juju” Palakurthi, has been rescheduled to November 15, 2026, due to a weather advisory expected in the region this week.

The program, “Samarpanam – An Evening of Devotion,” was originally scheduled for September 26. It will now take place from 4 to 6 p.m. on November 15 at Sarva Dev Mandir, 6 Main St., Oxford, Massachusetts.

All other details of the celebration remain unchanged.

The anniversary program will bring together music, devotion and community as Sarva Dev Mandir marks 25 years of serving as a spiritual and cultural home for the Indian-American community in Central Massachusetts.

Palakurthi will headline the evening, joined by students from Swararati Music School, students of Sarva Dev Mandir and a group of accompanying musicians.

The musical ensemble will include Hirak Modi on keyboard, Pranav Swaroop on harmonium, Nitin Mitta on tabla and Vedant Lele on pakhawaj.

An evening of Indian music

Palakurthi brings to the celebration a musical journey spanning Indian classical traditions, film music and contemporary performance.

Raised in a home filled with diverse musical influences, she began studying music as a child and later studied Carnatic music with vocalist Geetha Murali. She also pursued Hindustani classical music under Vidushi Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar.

Over the years, Palakurthi has performed and recorded with some of India’s leading musicians and singers and has become known for bringing Indian music to diverse audiences across the United States.

She is the founder of Juju Productions, through which she has produced and presented Indian music projects throughout the country. Her work has included classical music, Indian film music and collaborations exploring the intersection of Indian and Western musical traditions.

One of her notable projects is Symphony Masala, which reimagines beloved Bollywood songs for Western symphony orchestras. The project has been performed with orchestras in several American cities, introducing Indian film music to audiences beyond the traditional South Asian community.

Palakurthi is also closely connected to the New England Indian music community and serves as chairperson of MIT’s Heritage Arts of South Asia (MITHAS), an organization dedicated to presenting and preserving South Asian classical music.

For an evening centered on devotion, her classical training and broad musical experience make her a fitting artist to lead the celebration.

Twenty-five years of Sarva Dev Mandir

Sarva Dev Mandir was founded through the dedication, vision and generosity of community members who sought to create a spiritual home for a growing Indian community in Central Massachusetts.

Over the past quarter-century, the temple has developed into a center for worship, learning, cultural programs and community gatherings.

Its mission includes promoting spiritual growth, preserving and celebrating Hindu traditions and values, providing religious and community services, supporting educational and cultural activities, and strengthening unity and connection within the community.

That mission will be reflected throughout the anniversary program.

Alongside an accomplished vocalist, the evening will feature students from Swararati Music School and Sarva Dev Mandir. Their participation highlights one of the important roles of a cultural institution: passing traditions from one generation to the next.

Music, in that sense, becomes more than entertainment. It becomes a means of preservation.

A familiar raga, a devotional composition or a song learned from a teacher can connect a child growing up in Massachusetts with a musical tradition that originated thousands of miles away.

A celebration of community

The word “Samarpanam” means an offering or an act of devotion. It is a fitting theme for an institution marking 25 years of service.

For those who helped establish Sarva Dev Mandir, the celebration will be an opportunity to reflect on a journey that began with a vision and grew through the support of an entire community.

For younger generations, it will provide an opportunity to experience that heritage through music and performance.

And for everyone attending, the evening will bring together the elements that have sustained the temple for a quarter-century: devotion, music, culture and community.

Event Details

Samarpanam – An Evening of Devotion
Celebrating 25 Years of Sarva Dev Mandir

Date: Sunday, November 15, 2026
Time: 4–6 p.m.
Location: Sarva Dev Mandir
Address: 6 Main St., Oxford, MA 01540

Featured Artist: Anuradha “Juju” Palakurthi, Vocalist

Performing:

• Chorus and students of Swararati Music School

• Students of Sarva Dev Mandir

• Hirak Modi — Keyboard

• Pranav Swaroop — Harmonium

• Nitin Mitta — Tabla

• Vedant Lele — Pakhawaj

The organizers encourage attendees to note the new date and time as they make plans to join Sarva Dev Mandir for this special 25th anniversary celebration.