About our priests

Daily Updates

All check payments for Temple services need to be written to HTVA Balaji Temple and not to individual names.

Priest Venkatacharya is not an employee, representative, member or affiliate of HTVA Balaji Temple. All actions, statements, and representations made by him are solely his own and do not reflect the views, policies, or activities of HTVA Balaji Temple.

Phaneendracharyulu Satuluri – Senior Priest & Vedic Scholar

Phaneendracharyulu Satuluri is a highly respected Hindu priest and esteemed Vedic scholar, currently serving as the Head Priest at the Hindu Temple of Virginia (Balaji Temple). With deep-rooted spiritual knowledge and decades of experience, he has become a beloved spiritual guide to many Hindu devotees across Northern Virginia and throughout the United States.

He received his formal religious education and priesthood certification from Jeeyar Educational Trust (JET), one of India’s most prestigious Vedic institutions, founded by Sri Sri Sri Tridandi Chinna Srimannarayana Ramanuja Jeeyar Swamiji. His training at JET laid a strong foundation for his lifelong service to Sanātana Dharma.

After completing his studies, he served in prominent temples across Andhra Pradesh, before moving to the United States in 2009. Since then, he has performed countless Vedic rituals, homams, yajnas, pratishtas, brahmotsavams, and samskaras, both in temples and at devotees’ homes, always adhering to traditional scriptures and customs.

Born into a devout Sri Vaishnava family in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, Phaneendracharyulu Garu carries forward his lineage with dignity and grace. He is joined in the U.S. by his supportive wife and two loving daughters.

His calm presence, command of scriptures, and compassionate service continue to inspire and spiritually uplift the community he serves. He is fluent in Telugu, Sanskrit, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and English.

Vikasacharyulu Vangipuram – Senior Priest & Vedic Scholar

Vikasacharyulu Vangipuram is an esteemed Vedic scholar and teacher, currently serving as the Senior Priest at the Hindu Temple of Virginia (Balaji Temple). He has over 20 years of experience in Vedic rituals, temple ceremonies, and community education across India, the USA, and the UK.

A graduate of the prestigious Jeeyar Educational Trust, Vikasacharyulu has mastered Krishna Yajurveda, Agama Shastra, Smartha Karma, and Jyotisha Shastra. He has served in temples worldwide and has conducted Kumbhabhishekams, Brahmotsavams, Sudarsana Homas, Upanayanams, Sri Vaishnava Kalyanams, and numerous samskaras. He is also known for his expertise in demise rituals, including Mahalaya Shraddham and Tila Tarpanam.

Beyond rituals, he has taught Bhagavad Gita, Stotra chanting, Divya Prabandham, Prajna classes, and Yoga to children and adults in the US, UK, and Australia, inspiring people to lead a value-based life grounded in Sanatana Dharma.

With fluency in Telugu, Sanskrit, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and English, he connects deeply with devotees from diverse backgrounds, offering spiritual guidance with warmth, wisdom, and humility.

The Hindu Temple of Virginia- Balaji Temple