SV Lotus Temple is pleased to announce that the much awaited construction of shrine for Lord "Sri Venkateswara" is commencing in early 2014. The temple is in the form of Lotus with petals suspended in the pond. The chosen design of the Lotus flower personifies serenity, grandeur and wealth, is also the seat or asanam for all gods and goddesses.
Our Goal:
It is the goal of Sri Venkateswara Lotus Temple (SVLT) to promote and preserve our rich Indian heritage and traditions through religious and community services. SVLT will also provide educational, cultural, and training activities for the youth, the future of our society. In support of this endeavor we plan to build a unique Hindu Temple and Cultural Center serving primarily Northern Virginia and Washington metro area and to USA as a whole.
To promote worship through religious activities and education, SVLT will
- Provide variety of worship formats and opportunities to appeal to broad spectrum of devotees
- Seek ways to further enhance the quality of temple religious service
- seeking inputs and exploring ideas from devotees
- Identify children and youth community educational program needs and develop programs to address these needs
- Incorporate core values, Vedic traditions, temple rituals into the educational process
- Efficiently use SVLT resources to meet these goals
- Encourage maximum participation in temple activities and services
- Enhance devotee's knowledge, understanding and respect for traditions, values and scriptures.
SVLT acquired approximately 18 acres of land in 2003 and 2005 at Braddock Road, Fairfax, Virginia, at a cost of $1.6M by obtaining loans amounting to $1.4M from Banks and founder members. In 2004 approximately 350 families have provided support to meet the monthly operational expenses. Encouraged by active participation and support of the congregation members SVLT launched the larger "BALALAYA/PRAYER HALL" project in June 2008 as an interim measure to accommodate the growing devotee requirement. The completion of the Balalaya/Prayer hall with ample parking spaces was accomplished with a budget of $350,000.
Current Status as of December 2013:
The temple is registered in Virginia as a corporation and was awarded Non-profit 501c3 status in 2007. The financial statements for 2007 thru 2013 are completed. The resources and strength of the temple is our devotee base of 12000 plus and approximately 200 volunteers rendering selfless service. The temple employs three qualified priests and they are the only paid employees. The year 2014 marks a significant milestone in the history of SVLT. The enthusiasm, generous donations and involvement of many from the community contributed to the effective operations and significant growth of SVLT. Every dollar donated to the SVLT was spent to enhance the services and for the conduct of various religious activities. The average monthly donation of approximately $40,000 covers the current operating expense of approximately $20,000 per month and has been adding to the capital funds and equity in land. In 2014 accumulated capital funds was approx $1,500,000 of which a little over $450,000 was spent towards the site development for construction, permits and consultant costs.
SVLT's goal is to complete the temple construction in phases, first phase to include main temple, class rooms for education, kitchen, dining and multi purpose hall by early 2015. The sub temples, gopurams and pond to be completed as part of phase 2 by 2018. Information related to SVLT's efforts is presented and financial support from community members for the construction of the main abode for our presiding deity Sri Venkateswara is sought.
Permits:
The Conceptual design of the SVLT main temple was completed in 2012 to obtain the zoning permits from Fairfax County. Work is in progress in coordination with stapathi and architect to complete the final design and to obtain necessary permits to begin the construction in early 2014. We have contracted with Dominion Engineers Inc, located in Manassas for Civil Engineering services. The firm has completed the site plans and obtained the necessary approvals. The architect of record is Davis, Carter and Smith located in Tyssns Corner, Virginia.
Stapathi:
This is a challenging project both in terms of engineering structural and compliance with Vedic Pancharatra agama sastra. Keeping that in mind we have selected Sri Mathialagan, as our chief stapathi who has extensive experience and knowledge in temple constructions. Sri Mathialagan is in the lineage of Ganapathi Stapathi and has jointly worked with padmasri Ganapathy Stapathi on several temple construction projects. Visited USA in 2012 and has been working jointly with the architects DCS in the design and development.
The detailed design for the main temple is planned to be completed by early 2013 and the construction is expected to start in early 2014. The main temple complex is planned to be in three floors and with two separate Lotus shaped buildings, interconnected and is expected to cost approximately $14 Million. In view of the complexities in constructing the Temple complex and the associated costs, the whole project will be planned and executed in two to three phases and expected to be completed by 2018. Assuming the required funds will be available as needed, the main temple is expected to be ready by summer of 2015.
Phase I: Construction of the main temple hall and related facilities. The cost of phase I is estimated to be approximately $7.5 Million. Here are some highlights:
- Total area of the temple hall and the facilities to be completed is around 35,000 sq.ft. with approved occupancy for about 500
- Parking space for 160 cars along with associated infrastructure of roads/gates, kids play area and garden
- Water, sewer and utilities
- The main Venkateswara temple will be inside a circular small lotus with 59 ft diameter with 6000 sqft and a temporary assembly hall of about 3000 sq ft and the entire lower level of 26,000 sq ft. The lower level to include:
- A stage for artists, performers as a part of the hall in the lower level with state of the art sound system.
- Fully equipped kitchen and dining hall and conference room in the lower level
- Office room, class rooms, public facilities, mother’s room, store Room, Library, footware storage, etc.
Phase II: Construction encompasses the large Lotus, 10 sub shrines, yagashala, Rajagopuram, North and South gopurams, dwajasthambam, outer parikrama, circular pond, etc. The cost of phase 2 is estimated to be approximately $7.0 M. Here are some highlights:
- Total area of the above ground large Lotus and temple hall approximately 129ft in diameter and approximately 14,000 sq ft.
- Inside the large Lotus structure complete twelve smaller Sanctum Sanctorum (sannidhi) and install deities.
- Complete all architectural and sculptural work by Indian team of silpis.
- Details of Phase 2 and 3 will be developed as we near the completion of Phase 1.
| Obtain final approval from Fairfax Zoning Board |
Spring |
| Ground Breaking Ceremony for main temple |
Summer |
| Initiate procurement of Moola Vigrahas |
Summer |
| Transport Moola Vigrahas |
Spring |
| Complete phase I - Construction of main temple |
Summer |
| Proposed Prathisthapana |
Summer |
| Start Planning for Phase II and III for completion |
Fall |
The SVLT Board of Trustees has the overall responsibility for the project. Formation of new sub committees, to incorporate Board and community members is in progress to plan and manage the phased completion of the project. These subcommittees will be formed along the same lines, to work on various aspects of the project such as fund raising, engineering and architecture, construction management, procurement etc.
Funds required for Phase 1 Construction- 7.5 Million
Fund-Raising Plans:
Major contributors will be individual families who believe in the cause and who have means to help. The plan to raise $4.0M for phase 1, is to reach out to hundreds of families to donate couple of thousand dollars each. If 1,200 families can make a one-time contribution of $2,500 each, it will yield at least $3.000,000. Businesses and selected affluent people in the community will be approached for sizable bigger donations amounting to $1,000,000. The remaining finances to complete phase will be accomplished via bank and private loans.
- Life Time Udayaasthamana Seva
- Annadanam Seva Scheme
- Brick Donations
- Land Donations
- Phase I - One Time Donation
- Phase I Pledges - In Installments
- Direct Debit / Dollar A Day Programs
- Congregation Loans
| Multipurpose Hall |
$1.0 Mil |
| Classrooms - each |
$50K |
| Flower Room |
$50K |
| Kitchen |
$250K |
| Kitchen Equipment |
$200K |
| Library |
$50K |
| Dining |
$500K |
| Furniture and Equipment |
$200K |
| Parking Space - each |
$5K |
| Sound System |
$25K |
|
| Sri Venkateswara Garbha Alayam |
$1.0 Mil |
| Sri Venkateswara Vigraham |
$0.5 Mil |
| Sri Venkateswara Sannidhi |
$0.2 Mil |
| Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Sannidhi |
$0.2 Mil |
| Dwarapalakas - Jaya & Vijaya Vigrahams |
$0.1 Mil |
| Dwaram for Sri Venkateswara Alayam |
$0.1 Mil |
| Thaligai Sala/Perumal Kitchen |
$0.1 Mil |
| Sri Vakula Devi Sannidhi |
$50K |
| Large 5Ft Akhanda Silver Lamp |
$50K |
| Large Silver Hanging Lamps - 4 count |
$50K |
|