Musings over Mettilotsava

[Guest guest]

Dear Adyathma Bandhus,

 

By the Grace and Blessings of our Lord Sri Srinivasa, Vayu, Gurugalu, the annual

VMS Retreat in Laurel Hill State Park and Mettilotsava in Sri Venkateshwara

Temple in Pittsburgh were celebrated much to the satisfaction and spiritual

enjoyment of all our participants. Words are not enough to describe how happy we

were in the last weekend in the sannidhana of our Lord in the Temple and in our

gathering in the State Park in the midst of our sajjanaru in this distant land.

Our hearts are brimming with undescribable happiness, satisfaction, joy,

serenity. Our Lord continues to be merciful to us, giving us so much happiness

for the little things we do by His prerane for His preethi.

 

The spirit of coming together, dedication for any and every activity in our

gathering to happen for satisfaction of all gathered, children, youth, elders

intereacting with each other in playing games, working in the kitchen, looking

over the groceries, talking to each other, small groups discussing intricate

philosophical discussions with the scholars in our group, spiritually elevating

devaranaama sessions, the delightful very absorbing superb professional quality

play by Detroit group on Sri Vadirajaru, elderly lady from New Jersey walking

from foot-hill to top of the hill with stick in hand supporting her walking

while singing devaranaamas in Mettilotsava, the children from various centers

displayning amazing talents in singing devaranaamas, music, reciting slokas with

correct rendition, superb preparation and serving of all delicious multi course

theertha prasadas, dinners, light and humorous moments with some one cracking

impromto jokes, the absorbing youth discussion session, the scholars in our

group presenting thoughtful absorbing lectures with crisp intellectual

sharpness, the description of our Dasa parampara with actual singing of select

songs with melodious music, camp-fire in the night, sitting and chatting in

small groups with so much physical tiredness at the end of the day before

retiring for the night but amazingly springing back to life by raising very

early in the morning with only a couple of hours of sleep, well all were very

enjoyable. Glimpses of all these activities were photographed and they will be

posted by our photographers shortly.

 

Our thanks go out to all who unhesitatingly gave all their support for making

the gathering most enjoyable and unforgetable. Blessings from our Lord, Vayu,

Gurugalu are upon all of us.

 

Namaskaragalu

 

Bindu

>

> Madhavan,G V. Bindu

> Wednesday, May 26, 2004 7:02 PM

> To:

> VMS Retreat, Mettilotsava in Pittsburgh - Final Program

>

> Dear Hari Bhaktas,

>

> By the grace of Sri Hari, Vayu, Gurugalu, the Vishwa Madhwa Sangha (VMS)

Annual Retreat will take place in Laurel Hill State Park in Pennsylvania during

28-31 May (Memorial Day Weekend). Attendees in this gathering will also

participate in the Mettilotsava in Sri Venkateshwara Temple in Pittsburgh on 30

May (Sunday).

>

> His Holiness Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji, Puthige Matha, Udupi sends his

blessings to all participants in the VMS Retreat and Mettilotsava.

>

> The VMS Retreat is all inclusive, accommodation in the cabins, devarapooje,

devaranaama sessions, theertha prasadas, lectures, childrens and youth sessions,

sathsangha with sajjanaru, all set in the beautiful serene surroundings in one

of the most beautiful state parks in the state of Pennsylvania. Playing games,

hiking in the trails, swimming in the lake etc are also planned.

>

> For information on Laurel Hill State Park and driving directions, please visit

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/laurelhill.aspx

>

> Group Camp-5 in Laurel Hill State Park is exlusively for the VMS Retreat.

>

> 28 May, Friday: Camp opens for occupation about 3 pm. No cooking is planned.>

>

> 29 May, Saturday: Early morning devara pooje, break-fast/coffee from 7 am,

> theertha prasada around noon. Play, hike, swim, relax.

>

> 4:00 pm - Coffee / tea / tiffin

> 4:30 pm - Invocation with Veda gosha, daasa vaani, VMS chapters report out

> 5:00 pm - Kids session - individual & group participation (song, dance,

> story, sthothra recitation etc...)

> 6:00 pm - Play on Sri Vadirajaru by the Detroit group

> 7:30 pm - Evening mangalarathy

> 8:00 pm - Dinner

> 9:00 pm - Camp fire

>

> 30 May, Sunday, (ekadashi):

>

> 04:30 am - Nirmaalya pooja, nirmaalya theertha

> 06:00 am - Assemble to depart for Sri Venkateshwara Temple (your own

transportation)

> 08:00 am - Assemble at foot hill for Mettilotsava, group recitation of Vayus

> sthuti, Venkatesha sthothra,

> 08:30 am - Mettilotsava starts

> 10:30 am - Reach sannidhaana of Sri Srinivasa

> 11:00 am - Metilotsava ends and depart for camp

> (non-fasting devotees: help yourself at the temple canteen, light cooked

food/palahara will also be available in Group Camp-5 in Laurel Hill State Park

for non-fasting devotees)

> At Camp:

> 12:30 pm - Ekaadasi pooja by Sri Yogendra Bhat from Puthige Matha, New Jersey

> 02:00 pm - Mangalaarathy & theertha

> 03:00 pm - Pravachana / lecture session begins

> Sri G.R. Raghunatharao (guest from India) on Haridasa's contributions

> Sri Kesavarao Tadipatri on " Significance behind Sitaparityaga by Sri Rama "

> Sri Hunsur Sriprasad on " Sanjivana giridhara paahimaam "

> Sri Jayakrishna Nelemangala on " Concept of Independence (of Lord) "

> Sri Yogendra Bhat (topic to be announced)

> 05:00 pm - Youth panel discussion, question & answers session, Discussion on

VMS related matters

> Break

> 07:00 pm - Taratamya devaranaama bhajana

> 10:00 pm - Harivana seva and mangalam

>

> 31 May, Monday:

>

> 04:30 am - Dwaadasi pooja begins

> 06:30 am - Maha mangalaarathy

> 07:00 am - Hastodaka offering to Sri Jayatheertharu, Sri Rayaru & theertha

> 07:30 am - Dwaadasi Paarane theertha prasada

> Clean-up, rest and depart by noon.

>

> Please contact me if any additional information is needed.

>

> Ranga niina kondaduva mangalathmara sangha sukava ittu kaayo karunasagara

>

> Namaskaragalu

>

> Bindu

> Tel 610-966-9299 (home), 610-481-2557 (office)

>

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