||Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha|| || Srirasthu|| ||Srimathe Varavaramunaye Namaha|| Sri Venkateswara Lotus Temple Non-profit 501(c) 3 Organization NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2017 VOLUME 5 ISSUE 12

***Dhanurmasam Update*** Dhanurmasam starts from December 16th 2017. All thirumanjanams for temple deities based on nakshatra that falls after December 16th and Sri Srinivasa Kalyanam on every 4th Saturday of the month will not be performed due to special Dhanurmasam Pujas. Please note that during the dhanurmasam, temple opens and closes early i.e. temple opens at 5:30 AM and closes by 8:30 PM

Vaikunta Ekadasi Hanumath Jayanthi Friday, 29 December 2017 Monday, 18 December 18th Dec, Moola Nakshatra of mArgasira month is celebrated in many parts of . or Anjaneya is a very important avataram and his birth is celebrated 3 times in various parts of India. It is only befitting that the temple celebrates all beliefs of Sri Dhootha's birth. The greatest lesson one can learn from Sri Hanuman is unflinching faith to the one and only Sri Rama and his consort and single minded service to Sri Rama. The Shukla Paksha Ekadasi in the month of Dhanur/ mArgasira is celebrated as the greatest of all Ekadasis. On this day the temple is On this day the Lord will travel in the north direction planning to host a chanting via a special dwaram which is open only on that day. of Hanuman Chalisa for The Lord travels north to show us the path that we need to aspire to travel towards Vaikuntam which is in 1008 times by children. north beyond the 7 layers of universes. It is customary to spend the day fasting, visiting the temple, passing through Vaikunta dwaram and having dharsan of Perumal.

Sri Sudarshana Homam, 10 December 2017 @ 10:00 AM (Every 2nd Sunday of the Month)

To promote and preserve rich Indian heritage and traditions through religious, educational and cultural activities and training of the youth- future of our Society. 12519 & 12501 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA, 22030. Phone (703) 815-4850 http://www.svlotustemple.org 1 MONTHLY RELIGIOUS CALENDAR December 2017 01 Fri 10:00 AM Sri Vakula Mata Abhishekam Nakshatra Abhishekam Schedule 02 Sat 10:00 AM Sri Venkateswara Swamy & Sri (Based on the Nakshatra/Tidhi of the Dieties for December 2017) Maha Ammavaru Abhishekam 02 Sat Krithika Sri Thirumangai Azhwar

02 Sat 10:00 AM Sri Thirumangai Azhwar 03 Sun Sri Abhishekam 05 Tues Arudra Sri Ramanuja 02 Sat 10:00 AM Svami Nampillai Thirunakshatram 06 Wed Punarvasu Sri Rama Parivaaram 03 Sun 10:00 AM Sri Krishna Abhishekam 10 Sun P. Phalguni Sri Goda Ammavaru 03 Sun Sri ThiruppanAzhwar Thirunakshatram & Adhyaya Kaalam Starts 11 Mon U. Phalguni Sri Mahalakshmi 14 Thurs Sravana Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swami

03 Sun Deepam/ Pancharatra Deepam Every Friday Sri Vakula Mata until 16 Dec 05 Tues 10:00 AM Sri Ramanuja Abhishekam Every Saturday Sri Venkateswara Swamy & Sri Maha 06 Wed 10:00 AM Sri Rama Parivaaram Abhishekam Lakshmi Ammavaru until 16 Dec 08 Fri 10:00 AM Sri Vakula Mata Abhishekam 09 Sat 10:00 AM Sri Venkateswara Swamy & Sri Maha Lakshmi Ammavaru Adhyayana Utsavam Abhishekam

10 Sun 10:00 AM Sri Goda Ammavaru Abhishekam Tuesday, 19 December 2017 - Monday, 8 January 2018 10 Sun 10:00 AM Sri Sudarshana Homam Our Sanaatana dharma has many great Rishi's, Yogi's, Muni's and Saints. Almost all of these great souls attained the status by their own self discipline and tapas. 14 Thurs 10:00 AM Sri Narasimha Swamy Abhishekam Azhwars on the other hand were made to take Avatar in this world by the Lord with the single purpose of 15 Fri 10:00 AM Sri Vakula Mata Abhishekam establishing clarity to the Vedic teaching in a common 16 Sat 10:00 AM Sri Venkateswara Swamy & Sri language knowing fully well that we in this Yuga Maha Lakshmi Ammavaru would likely fall short of following dharmic and Abhishekam shastraic boundaries. All Azhwars together gave us 4000 16 Sat Dhanur Masam Pooja Begins songs or pasurams fully encompassing the essence of all 4 but focusing on Avatar of the Lord in temples - 18 Mon Hanumath Jayanthi Celebrations celebrating the Divya Mangala Vigrahas known as 29 Fri Sri Vaikunda Ekadasi ArchAvataras. This special utsavam is celebrated 10 (Mukkoti Ekadasi Celebrations) days prior to VaikunTa ekadasi and 10 days after. Each day a selected set of pasurams or songs will be submitted to the Lord and will complete reciting all 4000 verses For complete program details and sponsorship that are equal or greater than the Vedas themselves. Everyone can recite the 4000 verses and participate in information on DhanurmAsam special pujas, the celebrations. Vaikunta Ekadasi and Hanumath Jayanthi, This celebration starts on 19th December this year and please visit http://svlotustemple.org will go on till 8th January 2018. All are welcome to join us in the recitation and enjoyment of the Azhwars in front of the supreme Lord Venkateswara.

2 Dhanurmaasam Celebrations Saturday, 16 December 2017 onwards This month begins when the sun moves to the Dhanur Rasi or Sagittarius (the one with the bow) - Bhagawan Sri Krishna in declare 'mAsAnAm margashiroham' declaring that among months He is verily margashiram, meaning he loves that month more than any. Goda Devi also known as Andal too avataram in a place called Srivilliputthur in Tamil Nadu. She is none oth- er than Bhoomi Devi who took avataram to deliver the greatest message of all via 30 simple songs of Love to Lord Krishna called Tiruppavai. It is said that reciting and understanding the inner meanings of the 30 songs of Tiruppavai are good enough to understand the entire message that Vedas deliver. She established a vratam for the 30 days dedicated to Love of Sriman Narayana with a sole purpose of sending a message to submit our Souls to Him. Sri Andal ends her avataram in this earth by unting with Lord Ranganatha at the end of the 30 days and thus showing us that we will also be able to attain the Lord via the path of Saranagathi our surrender. It is customary to start the festivities of Dhanur masa vratha very early in the morning and recite Tiruppavai with other devotees and pay special prayers to the song/pasuram of the day and finally celebrate with Goda and Sri Krishna's kalyanam at the end of the month. SV Lotus temple celebrates Dhanura masam in the most traditional and authentic manner enabling devotees to observe the vratham. This year the month starts from 16th of Dec.

3 SV Lotus Academy - Children/Youth Educational Program

Now as the children are settled in their Balavidya Vedic heritage classes, they are beginning to be actively engaged in the idea of “giving” “daanam”. For children doing seva i.e. giving their time and effort for something other than themselves is being introduced age appropriately. During their classes once month children will take some time to do active age-appropriate seva activities for the temple community - checking to see if premise is clean, ensuring footware is appropriately placed, lights are turned off when not needed, faucets are closed, organizing chanting books, when weather improves - go outside and tend to the temple grounds and gardens etc.

For adults and parents we have Bhagavad Gita chanting classes on Sunday mornings 10:30-noon - chanting is taught with understanding the meaning of the shlokas. Currently the Gita group is learn- ing the 4th chapter. Plans are underway to start advanced shloka classes for older children and teach texts like Bhagavad Gita, Vishnusahasra namam, Narayaniyam.

Cultural Events - December / January 2017 Dhanurmasa Sangeetothsavam at Srivari Sannidhi from Evening 7:40 PM for 30 mins on Saturdays. Date Time Artist Venue Admission December 16th 2017 7:40 PM - 8:10 PM SangeetaLaya group of Priya FREE Srinivasan

December 23rd 2017 7:40 PM - 8:10 PM Anu Ikkurthi group FREE

December 30th 2017 7:40 PM - 8:10 PM Madhavai Mailavarapu group FREE

January 6th 2017 7:40 PM - 8:10 PM Thyaga Panchami - by Local FREE artists January 13th 2017 7:40 PM - 8:10 PM Lalitha Rampalli group

4 Prasadam Services for your Needs from SV Lotus Temple Canteen SV Lotus Temple Canteen has been serving the Temple and its Devotees with traditional Indian especially south and north Indian Vegetarian food. The authentic South Indian food at the canteen was a great appeal to devotees as well who enjoy the traditional flavor and taste of idly, dosa, Pongal, Sambar, chutney, etc., Thanks to the encouragement of devotees, the canteen growing rapidly. 1. Open on weekday evenings weekends and special occasion. 2. We have fully dedicated Fully Certified Full Time Cook who makes authentic South and North Indian Dishes for your needs. 3. Affordable Prices for the delicious fresh choices of Dosa, Idly Vada Sambar, Pongal and much more. 4. Temple Canteen is Its fully operated by our Temple Priest Cook and supported by volunteers

Temple Canteen Phone # (703) 815-4850 Hours: Week days : 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday : 9:30 AM – 9:00 PM Please contact - Katyayani Somanchi – (703) 815 - 4850 / Vasanthi Aharam – (703) 980 - 1629 for Food Service(s)

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 vol- unteers 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 [email protected] or call 202 957 9912. Jai Srimannarayana!!

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