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Non-profit 501(c) 3 Organization

NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2017 VOLUME 5 ISSUE 11

Sri Venkateswara Lotus Temple

||Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha|| || Srirasthu|| ||Srimathe Varavaramunaye Namaha||

12519 & 12501 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA, 22030. Phone (703) 815-4850

ht tp : / /www.sv lo tus temp le .o rg

To promote and preserve rich Indian heritage and traditions through religious, educational and

cultural activities and training of the youth - future of our Society.

Sri Srinivasa Kalyanam

25 November 2017

@ 06:00 PM (Every 4th Saturday of the Month)

Sri Sudarshana Homam

12 November 2017

@ 10:00 AM (Every 2nd Sunday of the Month)

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November 2017

MONTHLY RELIGIOUS CALENDAR

01 Wed Uttarabadra Sri Bhuvaraha Swamy

05 Sun Krithika Sri Thirumangai Azhwar

06 Mon Rohini Sri Krishna

08 Wed Arudra Sri Ramanuja

09 Thurs Punarvasu Sri Rama Parivaaram

12 Sun P. Phalguni Sri Goda Ammavaru

17 Fri Swathi Sri Narasimha Swamy

18 Sat Vishaka Sri Nammazvar

21 Tues Moola Sri Manvalamamunigal

24 Fri Sravana Sri Lakshmi Hayagrieva

28 Tues Uttarabadra Sri Bhuvaraha Swamy

Every Friday Sri Vakula Mata

Every Saturday Sri Venkateswara Swamy Abhishekam

Nakshatra Abhishekam Schedule (Based on the Nakshatra/Tidhi of the Deities for November 2017)

01 Wed 10:00 AM Sri Bhuvaraha Swamy Abhishekam

03 Fri 10:00 AM Sri Vakula Mata Abhishekam

03 Fri 10:00 AM Sri Satyanarayana Swamy Vratam as part of Karthika Pournami celebrations

6:30 PM Karthika Pournami Visesha Deepa Puja

07:00 PM Sri Satyanarayana Swamy Vratam as part of Karthika Pournami celebrations

8:00 PM Karthika Pournami Visesha Deepa Puja

04 Sat 10:00 AM Sri Venkateswara Swamy Abhishekam

05 Sun 10:00 AM Sri Thirumangai Azhwar Abhishekam

06 Mon 10:00 AM Sri Krishna Abhishekam

07:00 PM Karthika Somavara Deepa Puja

08 Wed 10:00 AM Sri Ramanuja Abhishekam

09 Thurs 10:00 AM Sri Rama Parivaaram Abhishekam

10 Fri 10:00 AM Sri Vakula Mata Abhishekam

11 Sat 10:00 AM Sri Venkateswara Swamy Abhishekam

12 Sun 10:00 AM Sri Goda Ammavaru Abhishekam

10:00 AM Sri Sudarshana Sahita Dhanvantari Homam

13 Mon 07:00 PM Karthika Somavara Deepa Puja

17 Fri 10:00 AM Sri Narasimha Swamy Abhishekam

10:00 AM Sri Vakula Mata Abhishekam

18 Sat 10:00 AM Sri Nammazvar Abhishekam

10:00 AM Sri Venkateswara Swamy Abhishekam

21 Tues 10:00 AM Sri Manvalamamunigal Abhishekam

23 Thurs Padmavati Ammavaru Utsavams

24 Fri 10:00 AM Sri Lakshmi Hayagrieva Abhishekam

10:00 AM Sri Vakula Mata Abhishekam

25 Sat 10:00 AM Sri Venkateswara Swamy Abhishekam

06:00 PM Sri Srinivasa Kalyanam

28 Tues 10:00 AM Sri Bhuvaraha Swamy Abhishekam

29 Wed Kaisika Ekadasi or Ksheerabdi Ekadasi

Padmavathi Ammavaru Avataram

Utsavalu

Shukla Panchami

23rd

November 2017

on Uttrashada Nakshatra day

She took avataram in Padma sarovaram (right behind

the temple in Tiruchanur) and was raised by the local

King of the time - Akasha Raja as Alamelu. There are

extensive details of her avataram and

subsequent famous wedding to Lord Srinivasa in

Paadma PuraNam. 10day Bramhotsavam is

celebrated in Tiruchanur, concluding on the Shukla

Panchami day - and is called Panchami theertham

when Chakra snanam is held. We at Lotus temple plan

to be celebrating Ammavaru's birthday in a grand

manner.

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Kaisika Ekadasi or Ksheerabdi Ekadasi

Wednesday, 29 November 2017

This ekadasi is held in great importance by our acharyas and

elders, even more than Vaikunta Ekadasi that comes next

month!. One might ask why this is so. If all other narrations

are given to us by our elders, the importance of this ekadasi

was mentioned by none other than Lord Narayana or Vishnu

to Bhumidevi in His Varaha Avataram. The greatness of this

ekadasi is comes from Varaha purana.

Right after saving earth, Bhudevi from a cosmic mess, Lord

Varaha puts the earth in the perfect spot in the universe, not so

close to the sun and not too far away from it - to make it

perfect for Life as we know it.

Bhumi devi finds it only right to ask the Lord how the people

of Bhumi can then redeem themselves from the cycle of life

and birth.

To that, the Lord responds - "Nama Sankeerthanam". Singing the Lord's glories since then has

become the primary means to get closer to human goal to end the samsaric cycle. Lord Varaha in

Varahapuranam goes one to describe the story of a great devotee and singer NamPaduvan

(Nam - our, Paduvan -singer). On this ekadasi day to keep his jagratha vratham (staying up all

night singing) he was going towards the temple. On his way he is attacked by a Bramha Rakhsasa

(a Brahmin who in previous birth had created misgivings during a yaga). The hungry Rakshasa

says he wants to eat Nampaduvan to which he begs him to wait until he returns from his night of

singing. After much negotiating and mentioning that he (Nampaduvan) get a lot of paapams if he

does not keep his word to return, the Rakshasa allows him to proceed.

Early next morning Nampaduvan returns, and the very sight of seeing someone that has sung the

glories of the Lord all night makes the Rakshasa ask Nampaduvan to request the Lord to give him

moksham from being a Rakshasa. Nampaduvan at first refuses to ask any favor from the Lord, but

then after much cajoling agrees to share with the Rakshasa the fruits of his singing of

Namasankeerthanam on the ekadasi day. At that moment the rakshasa gets relieved from his

misery and attains the moksham he desires. Such is the greatness of Namasankeerthanam and

celebration of this great Ekadasi.

We will have a patanam of this 'Kaisika Puranam' at the temple on the Dvadasi day in

rememberance of this dialogue between Lord Narayana and Bhumidevi and how it can help all of

us achieve greater heights in this samsara and the next.

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Cultural Events - November / December

Date Artist Venue Admission Time

November 18th 2017 Sangeetha Lahari - Classical

Music (Children's Day

Celebrations )

FREE 9:00 AM - 8:00PM

Every Saturday

starting from

October 14th 2017 -

January 16th 2018

Thiruppavai Music FREE 3:00 PM

December 9th 2017 Natyalahari - Classical Dance FREE 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM

December 16th 2017 -

January 13th 2018

Marghazi Utsavam FREE

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SV Lotus Academy - Children/Youth Educational Program

On September 9th Sunday, Lotus Sanskriti Academy started with great energy, enthusiasm by returning students, new students and parents. The school strength has doubled this year and so did the teacher's strength. SV Lotus Academy classes are in progress. Registration for Bala Vidya Program is closed for this school year. SV Lotus Temple is happy to announce the launch of Tamil, Telugu, Carnatic Vocal Music Classes, Bharata Natyam, Chess classes and Thiruppavai Classes. SV Lotus Academy would be adding Math and Science Classes for Elementary, Middle and High School Students based on the support and interest from the parents. Samskruthi Vidhyalaya meets every Sunday between 10:00 AM – 12:00 noon. We have four levels to educate children at different levels Level 1 for 4 - 5 years, Level 2 for 5 - 8 years, Level 3 8-11 years and Level 4 for 11 years and above. Children learn Slokas , Stories, Art and Craft in addition to mix and mingle with other kids to learn and grow along developing social and interactive skills with younger, older children and adults. SV Lotus Academy Balavikas kids celebrated Deepavali during their Balavikas meeting, all parents and children came dressed in traditional new clothes. Teachers discussed the significance of Deepavali. Balavikas Children, parents and grandparents enjoyed the Art and Craft show by Kids. SV Lotus Temple congratulates and appreciates the teachers for their dedication to serve and nurture the young minds. The children got a very deep sense of what Deepavali celebration means and I am sure it is being reinforced at home with same fervor.

Here are few pictures from Bala Vidya Program celebration annual day -

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Parking and Shuttle The Temple has ample parking for all - including accessible spots to assist the disabled and shuttle services during

popular events - with clear signs to guide devotees around the facility.

During major events and festivals, the parking team coordinates parking and shuttle service. Parking volunteers are

available throughout the temple, with the exception of extreme weather conditions. The team is trained to welcome

and direct devotees to the right parking spots. If the temple parking space gets completely filled, parking volunteers

run free shuttle services to Willows Springs Elementary School, Mott Community Center and other adjacent overflow

facilities.

Recently, during both Diwali and Dussehra, the Temple was fortunate to witness more than 4000 devotees ply in and

out throughout the day and the parking team ensured a smooth flow both in and out of the Temple facility.

Sri Venkateswara Lotus Temple wants you to be safe in the temple premises, so please cooperate with the parking

volunteers to follow directions so you can have a peaceful, uneventful and happy darshan.

A few tips for smooth darshan/parking:

1. During major festivals and to attend registered pooja or

any event, please be prepared to arrive even earlier for

overflow parking time.

2. Please do not park in the adjacent neighborhood on

Crofton Green Dr, (across from the Temple) since the car

is likely to be towed, in compliance with the community

rules.

For more information or if you are interested in becoming a

parking volunteer (ask him about the pleasure of serving

devotees in this critical area), please contact

Satya Gavaravarapu - email to gvsatyam@yahoo.com or call

202 957 9912. Jai Srimannarayana!!

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SPACE RENTAL TO MEET YOUR NEEDS Welcome to SVLT Facilities

SVLT has a wide variety of rental spaces available for single events as well as for ongoing rentals on a weekly or monthly basis.

Strategically located in Fairfax, the facility is the perfect setting for your event. SVLT is conveniently located west of Fairfax

County Parkway in Braddock Road. We appreciate your interest in our facilities for your upcoming event.

Choose our auditorium, Multipurpose Hall or our class rooms for:

Showers

Birthdays

Family Reunions

Anniversaries

Weddings

Religious Programs

Cultural Events

Concerts

Business Meetings

Classes and Seminars

Auditorium: Our auditorium is ideal for weddings, performances, receptions, cultural events, discourses and lectures the capaci-

ty is 475 people seated theatre style.

Our Meditation and Prayer Room/Multi Purpose Room is ideal for events that do not exceed 80 participants. Family reunions,

Upanayanam, religious events such as Srinivasa Kalyanam or Satyanarayana Pujas are held here

Classrooms are available for, classes and meetings. The capacity is approximately 40 people theatre style.

Reserving the Date: All. Reservation request must be submitted through SVLT web. Rental and other fees may be paid in cash,

check or credit card. A $250 deposit is required at the time the facility is booked and the rental contract is signed.

We encourage you to contact us with any questions or to set up an appointment to view our facility.

We look forward to making your event everything you want it to be! Contact us today!