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Author: VCSEA
Seasons Greetings from VCSEA
As we draw to the end of 2020, I wanted to take this opportunity to personally thank you all on behalf of The Vedic Cultural Society of East Anglia (VCSEA )board of Trustees and Executive members.
This year has been a year like no other, and it has brought challenges beyond anything we could have imagined or believed. By March, COVID-19 was declared as a pandemic -a global epidemiological crisis by the World Health Organisation. It not only affected the economical and physical aspects of living but also had a huge emotional and psychological impact on people, worldwide.
We have all been living in an era of communal grief where many people are coming to terms with their individual losses daily, including illness and death due to the coronavirus or loss of employment, business, and similar life situations.
Due to Lockdown and regulations we were unable to offer service through our temple. However in the month of April we had started a virtual trial of Monthly Havan and a weekly Hanuman Chalisa / Bhajan evening via Zoom.In these sessions we celebrated festivals from Janamastmi, Navratri, Diwali to Christmas . We have captured spirit of all these festivals with a Difference.
Recently we are offering Vedic Mantra classes on Sunday evening which are again very much attended with regularity. These sessions are open to all and attended by not only community in UK but across globe ( U.S, Germany, India). The feedback and support to these activities has been very encouraging in terms of maintaining connections with friends and community despite restrictions.
We endeavour to open the Temple as per guidance once a month and happy to support anyone needing to visit by strictly adhering to the law and guidance. Kindly contact and book the visit prior to attending with us and we will be happy to support keeping everyone’s safety as priority..
Going forward in the foreseeable future Zoom/virtual meetings have been considered the safest mode of connectivity. We have an unlimited Zoom licence now and if anyone would like to start a group or class for benefit of community must get in touch, so that we can facilitate it to be offered in these locked in moments.
Annual General Meeting AGM is on Sunday 10th January after monthly havan and the details will be circulated in a separate email.
I would like to end my message with this small poem from my pen , which I composed for my book with the same title
“Awakening with Sunrise
Golden Rays on empty sand Beaches
As if Nature revealing our breaches
A sight so poignant, sad and rare
Calls us to respect, love and care
Crowning glory of sun spread as liquid red gold
Inspiring us to be hopeful, strong, and bold
These times of test will not stay forever
United we will emerge being stronger
Each zestful sunrise and elegant sunset
Forward Life’s journey for the promises to be kept !!”
Lets stay strong despite the huge challenges. Wishing everyone a very happy , safe and blessed Christmas and New Year !
Vandana Khurana
Email: vedicculture1@gmail.com
Chair and Trustee VCSEA (Vedic Cultural Society of East Anglia)
Reg Charity 1163742
COVID-19 Guidance for the safe use of the temple during the pandemic
Please see attched policy, PHE link below and the main points below, for considertation when visiting the temple.
1. Temple to open every second sunday afternoon for prayers
2. Max of 30 people will be allowed at one time
3. Strict abidance of guidance from PHE, will be followed by attendees
4. In cases where non-adherence to guidance is observed, individuals will be requested to leave the temple.
5. Name and contact details of all attendees at the temple will be required.
Guidance link – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-places-of-worship-during-the-pandemic-from-4-july
Upcoming events at the Mandir – cancelled as precautionary measure to contain Coronavirus COVID-19
HOLI – 2020
We would like to invite you all to join us in the joyous celebration of Holi on 15 March 2020 at the Mandir.
Hanuman moves a mountain and attempts to eat the Sun
Diwali 2019
We would like to invite you to join us in celebrating the auspicious festival of Diwali. We will gather at our temple on 27 October at 15:00 to start the celebrations. The details are –
Please bring a vegetarian dish to share in Prasad, please feel free to bring own fireworks,
Venue – Acle New Road, Great Yarmouth, NR 13 3 QE
Schedule – 15:00-Arrival, 15:15 – Pooja and sangeet, 17:30 – Fireworks, 18:00 Prasad, 18:30 – Finish
RSVP: vedicculture1@gmail.com
Looking forward to seeing you with family and friends at our Temple.
Holi Celebrations 2019
It’s that time of the year again to fill our day with colours and fun filled dance and music at the temple. We welcome all to join in with us and celebrate the festival of Holi. We will be gathering at the temple on Sunday 14 April from 12:30 pm. Please see photos from previous years to give you a flavour of the day.
Lohri Celebrations – 13 January 2019
Observed to celebrate the new harvest season. Lohri is the first hindu festival of the year. Essentially termed as the festival of the farmers in Northern India, during lohri farmers thank the almighty for a good harvest and seek blessings for the future. In other parts of the country it is oberved under different names : Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti in Bengal, Bihar and UttarPradesh, Bihu in Assam and Tai Pongal in Kerela.
Diwali Celebrations at the Temple – Sunday 11 November 2018
Its that time of the year again. Diwali the festival of lights is here.
Time to welcome the New Year and Goddess Laxmi.
We are all getting together to celebrate Diwali at the Hindu Temple.
Please join us from 5:00 pm for Pooja, Food and fireworks.