2009 VMS Retreat/Mettilotsava - Final program

[Guest guest]

Sri Hari vAyu guru, dAsa vareNyebhyo namaH,Dear krishNa bhaktas, Here is the final program for the VMS Retreat /Mettilotsava. The theme of the event is "Sri JagannAtha dAsara namana and smaraNe"

in view of Sri JagannAtha daasara 200th anniversary celebrations.

There are special programs honoring and celebrating Sri JagannAtha

dAsaru on both days of the retreat. Please register if you have not done so. Logistics:

Where: Laurel Hill State Park, 1454 Laurel Hill Park Road, Somerset, PA 15501 - Camp site 5. Camp Site: Cabins are available with common hot water showers. Waterfalls & man made beach inside park. Admission: Admission is Free. Suggested donation to cover campsite rent and other expenses Directions:From I-76 Exit 110 (Somerset), drive west on PA 31 from Somerset for

eight miles, turn left onto Trent Road and follow the directional signs

to Laurel Hill State Park. The park may also be reached from I-76 Exit

91 (Donegal) by turning left on PA 31 east and traveling 14 miles.

Follow the directional signs to the right turn onto Trent Road then

follow directional signs to the park.Details at:http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/laurelhill.aspx#directionsRegistration: Please register by entering your information at : http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Aq0UIXam6N-mdFJoZzNkSVlUT2tkY0ctbTVicVFYQmc & hl=en . Questions: Please contact Sudhindra Yapalparvi (sudhi @ parvi.com), Jaya AchArya (jacharya) or Vasu Murthy (vasu_murthy). Registration site contains contact information.Program Details:Sat.,

5th Sep.: Morning

pUja 8 AM, breakfast, go hiking / park activities ~ 9 AM Simple

Lunch around noon Session

starts 2 pm. Session

1: Small kids (12 and less) in front of adults shloka chanting,

song, story telling,.. please get in touch with Smt. Rama Srinivas, Smt. Varini Narahari, Smt. Asha Kaatti at sandeshvibha; varini_kn; ashakatti,

if

your child / children want to participate Session

2: Youths (13 & over) session only for them 4

pm: Youths to address the adults with their planned objectives and

activities for the year 4:30

pm: Short presentation on HaridAsa & their contributions by guest

speaker Smt. Sumana Yajurvedi 5:00 PM

break 6:00

- 7:30 PM A surprise special prime time event --you don't want

to miss it 7:30

pm evening swasti pooja conducted by Sri JV Acharya, Houston 8:00

pm sit-down dinner, volunteers needed for clean-up afterwards Sun.

6th, Sep.: 6

Am nirmAlya visarjana & pooja at camp / retreat 7

Am depart for Sri Venkateswara temple, Monroeville 8-8:30

AM assemble at the foothills of the temple 8:30

AM start the Mettilotsava procession 10:15 AM

arrive at the entrance of the temple 10:30

AM special darsana & pooja at the temple 11

AM Mettilotsava at temple concludes 12:30

PM devara pooja at retreat 1:30

- 2 pm: simple lunch at retreat (advanced reservation required, by

previous day) 3

pm: Workshop on devara pooja / yoga as per madhwa tradition 4

pm: Q & A youths with scholars 5

pm: Sri Krishna brindAvana activities Sri Yogendra bhat 5:30 PM

break 6

pm: Jeopardy style quiz on Hari KathAmrutha sAra, first 2 sandhis 6:30

7:30 PM Reflection on first two sandhis by scholars 7:30 PM

evening pooja by Sri Yogeendra bhat 8:00

pm sit-down dinner 9

pm campfire Monday,

Sep. 7th: Morning

pooja starts 8 am, simple breakfast, clean-up and depart by 11 AM