6300 Princess Garden Parkway, Lanham, MD 20706
MAHA SIVARATHRI: THE MOST SACRED
OCCASION FOR LORD SIVA:
FEB 19TH AND 20TH
Every year, Maha Sivarathri falls on 13th
night/14th day of the Tamil month of
Masi. Examples of
devotees
worshipping Lord
Siva on this day
and attaining
salvation are
innumerable. This
year, Maha Sivarathri falls on Feb 19th and
20th. Murugan Temple will celebrate the
occasion on a grand scale with special
Abhishekams, Alankarams, recitation of
various Pathikams, Deeparathanai and
Archana in 4 Jamas. Refer to calendar on
page 3 for detailed schedule. All are
welcome to participate in the grand
celebrations and receive the blessings of
the ever-compassionate Siva perumaan.
THAI POOSAM—FEB 11TH
Lord Muruga, the bravest of warriors,
obtained his divine spear “vel” from
Ambal goddess Parvathi on Thai Poosam.
Grand Thai Poosam celebrations will be
conducted at the Temple on Feb 6th
(actual Thai Poosam day) and Feb 11th
(special celebrations) including Special
Abhishekams, Kavadi/Pal Kudam and
Murugan procession. Please refer to the
calendar on page 3 for
more details. Join us on
this grand occasion and
receive the blessings of
Lord Muruga and His
Vinai theerkum Vel.
ARDRA DARISANAM—JAN 8TH
Ardra Darisanam or Natarajar
Abhishekam is the day of
Ardra asterism in the Tamil
month of Margazhi. Please
join us for Special Siva
Abhishekam at 6AM on this
auspicious occasion.
INDEX
Maha Sivarathri 1
Ardra Darisanam 1
Thai Poosam 1
Rajagopuram Thirupani 1
Annual Fundraiser: A grand success 2
Felicitating the new graduates 2
Thanksgiving Meal and Nandavanam 2
Skanda Sashti 2
Navarathri 2
Rudra Homam 2
Jan-Mar calendar 3
Temple hours and directions 4
Happy New year 2012
and Happy Pongal
2012 MTNA calendar available at the
Temple now
RAJAGOPURAM THIRUPANI
Dear Devotee: I am glad to advise that after few years of consultation and hard work we have developed a master plan for the development of the Temple. As the first phase of the plan, a Rajagopuram project has been carved out under the guidance of Thiru Muthiah Sthapathi who designed and supervised the construction of our Temple. The project would include the construction of the Rajagopuram, completion of the outer and inner Piragarams, enshrining the deities needed to complete the complement of deities at the Temple, a Yagasalai, a kitchen and dining area. The Rajagopuram will be the center piece of the project. It will be in five tiers and 56 ft in height, will rise from the present foyer at the entrance to the Temple and will be sculptured following South Indian traditions by Silpies from India under the supervision of Thiru Muthiah Stapathi. Building upon the work already started when constructing the Durgai Amman Sannithi, Silpies will complete the Ulpiragaram and install the Kodikambam.
The total estimated cost of the project would be about $ 2 Million. The Board has endorsed a proposal from Devotees that a Voluntary Thirupani Sabhai be constituted and entrusted with the preparation and management of the Project. An important meeting of devotees was held on December 10th 2010. The decisions from the meeting will be presented in the next newsletter. Dr. Gopal Guruswamy
Chairman, Board of Trustees (MTNA).
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ANNUAL FUNDRAISER: A GRAND SUCCESS
The Murugan Temple’s annual fundraiser conducted on Oct 22nd was an eventful evening of food, fun and entertainment. The performers of the evening, Sheejith Krishna and Tharini Shanmugarajah, performed various dance p i e c e s t i t l e d “PARAAPARAM.” The program for the evening also included an auction of sarees, and the bidding process added to the e n t e r t a i n m e n t . A sumptuous dinner was provided by the Temple. The dancers also performed a fundraiser event for the Murugan Temple at Bellflower, CA on October 16th.
On Sep 10th Murugan Temple also hosted a performance by Samarthanam Dance group of challenged performers free of any charge to encourage and promote the talent of these students.
Tharini Shanmugarajah and
Sheejith Krishna during their
performance
HONORING NEW GRADUATES
On Oct 8th Murugan Temple held a ceremony honoring new middle school, high school, and college graduates. Each graduate was presented with a recognition of their accomplishment and all were blessed by the ensuing puja. College students honored were Vimal Balaji Gopal (MS in Engineering), and Meena Chokalingam (Dual BS in Accounting and Finance). High school honorees were Archana Ananthakrishnan, Rajrajan Raja and Rajkumar Raja. This function is annually conducted at the Murugan Temple during the weekend immediately following Vijayadasami. If your children or anyone you know are graduating, please let us know. Please bring your kids to the Murugan Temple to celebrate their graduation and receive the blessings of Lord Murugan. For more information, contact Mr. Elyathamby Vignarajah at [email protected].
NAVARATHRI
Navarathri was celebrated with plenty of beautiful Alakarams for Meenakshi Amman at the Murugan Temple. Each day, Ambal was adorned with new attire made of a medley of things including flowers, fruits, sandal, vermilion etc.
SKANDA SASHTI
Skanda Sashti means celebration for Murugan devotees. Murugan Temple conducted the Skanda Sashti celebrations from Oct 27th to Nov 1st. S a n g a a b h i s h e k a m , beautiful Alankarams, ThiruKalyanam and the procession of the utsavar around the sanctum were
the highlights of the c o n c l u d i n g d a y
celebrations on Nov 5th. Soorasamharam was conducted on Skanda Sashti day. Skanda Sashti is the occasion when Lord Muruga vanquished Tarakasura and Surapadma.
THANKSGIVING
MEAL
Food and gifts were p r o v i d e d b y V o lu n t ee r s o f
Murugan Temple to more than 100 homeless people in DC metro area on Dec 4th. Murugan Temple volunteers also dedicate time and effort to charities. If you wish to donate in cash or kind or participate in the Temple’s charitable activities, please contact the Temple manager at 301-552-4889 email Mr. Vignarajah at [email protected].
NANDAVANAM PROJECT
If you want to volunteer your time or make donations of plants, flowers or money to grow more flowering plants within the Temple premises to supply for everyday Puja activities and celebrations, please contact the Temple manager at 301-552-4889 (or) Mr. Elyathamby Vignarajah [email protected]
RUDRA HOMAM—OM NAMO BHAGAVATE RUDRAAYA
The annual Rudra Homam was conducted on Sep 24th (which happened to be Sani Pradosham). Ritviks from distant states also participated in the Rudra Japam. Following the Japam, Homam was conducted. The recitation of Rudram by many Ritviks elevated the atmosphere into a divine ether and the mantras still linger in the air. We look forward to many more Ritviks participating in the years to come.
Priests bring Kalasams for Abhishekams
Rudra Homam
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Ganapati Tunai “Why Fear? I Am Within You and Protect You Always” — Murugan
Murugan Temple Sponsorship Form
Make Murugan Temple’s Rajagopuram Part of Your Legacy
First Brick (Special) - $51
Ten Bricks – $1,010
North or South Gopuram $250,000
SubTotal Rajagopuram Contribution ....................$________
Sponsor Temple Operations
Full day of temple operations ...................................... $750
Full month: Garlands (all deities) ............................... $900
Full month: Abhishekam and Omam provisions ........ $450
Full month: Milk ........................................................ $250
A full week of Garlands (all deities)............................ $125
One day: Simple garland for a deity........ ..................... $ 15
Choice of Deity for garland :_______________
Sub Total Operations ..........................................$________
Please indicate desired dates _________________
MTNA Newsletter Printing and Mailing .................$__________
Kavasam for Peedam in silver for Murugan,
Valli, Theivayanai....................................................$__________
Check Enclosed for................................................................$__________
Name
Address
City State _________ ZIP ___________________
Phone ____________E–Mail ________________________________
Family Gothiram _________________________________________
Birth Star (el:rj;jpuk;) _____ Name of Family Member
Please use separate sheet for additional family members
Mail: The Murugan Temple of North America, 6300 Princess Garden
Parkway,Lanham, MD 20706 – Please address checks to MTNA.
You can now make contributions and fill-out your donation forms
on-line at www.murugantemple.org
JANUARY
Jan 1st, Sun—New Year’s day
11:00AM Murugan Special Abhishekam
Jan 8th, Sun—Ardra Darisanam
06:00AM Natarajar Special Abhishekam
Noon Thirumurai recital in Siva sannidhi
Jan 14th, Sat—Bhogi
Tamil month Thai beings
Uttarayana punyakalam
Jan 15th, Sun—Thai Pongal
Jan 22nd Sun—Thai Amavasya
Jan 30th, Mon—Ratha Saptami
FEBRUARY
Feb 6th, Mon—Thai Poosam
09:00AM Ganapathi homam/Abhishekam
09:45AM Subramanya Homam
10:30AM Kavadi/Pal Kudam
11:00AM Murugan Abhishekam
06:00pm Murugan Sahasranamam
Feb 11th, Sat—Thai Poosam
celebrations
09:00AM Ganapathi Homam/Abhishekam
10:00AM Subramanya Homam
10:30AM Kavadi/Pal Kudam
11:00AM Murugan Abhishekam
11:30AM Bajan
12:30pm Deeparathanai
01:00pm Lunch
03:00pm Murugan Procession
Feb 13th, Mon—Tamil month Masi
begins
Feb 18th, Sat—Sani Pradosham
06:00pm Siva Special Abhishekam
Feb 19th, Sun—Maha Sivarathri
07:30pm Kubera Puja, Kalasa Puja
08:00pm First Jama Puja
Siva Abhishekam
Vibhuti Alankaram
Veda Parayanam
Thirumurai recital
11:00pm Second Jama Puja
Siva Abhishekam
Santhana Alankaram
Sivapuranam recital
Feb 20th, Mon—Maha Sivarahtri
(contd)
01:00AM Third Jama Puja
Siva Abhishekam
Pushpa Alankaram
Thiruneetru Pathikam recital
03:00AM Fourth Jama Puja
Siva Abhishekam
Special Abhishekam
Kolaru Pathikam recital
Deeparathanai
MARCH
Mar 7th, Wed— Masi Maha Maham
10:00AM Murugan Special Abhishekam
March 13th, Tue —Karadaiyar Nombu
Mar 14th, Wed—Tamil month Panguni
MONTHLY EVENTS
Karthigai—Palani Andavar Special
Abhishekam at 07:00pm
Jan 4, Feb 1, Feb 28 and Mar 26
Pradosham—Siva Special Abhishekam
at 06:00pm
Jan 6, Jan 20, Feb 5, Feb 18, Mar 5 and Mar 19
Poornima—Meenakshi Special
Abhishekam at 06:00pm
Jan 8, Feb 6 and Mar 7
Sankatahara Chaturthi—Ganesha
Special Abhishekam at 07:45pm
Jan 12, Feb 10 and Mar 10
Shukla Sashti—Murugan
Sahasranamam at 06:00pm
Jan 28, Feb 27 and Mar 26
Shukla Chaturthi
Jan 26, Feb 25 and Mar 26
Adhi Parakaskthi Puja at 02:30pm
Jan 29, Feb 26 and Mar 25
Thirumurai recital at Siva sannidhi
from noon to 01:00pm
Jan 8, Feb 12 and Mar 11
First Friday Bajans at 08:00pm
Jan 6, Feb 3 and Mar 2
Third Friday Bajans at 08:00pm
Jan 20, Feb 17 and Mar 16.
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TEMPLE SERVICES: Please call the Temple Manager at
301 552-4889 to make prior arrangements for
ceremonies at the Temple or in your home.
Also, ask for information about local hotels.
TEMPLE HOURS: Monday – Friday 9 am – 12 noon &
5 pm - 9 pm; Saturday, Sunday, & Holidays 9 am – 9
pm
AUDITORIUM: The Temple’s auditorium capable of
seating about 200 people in the basement is available
for rent by Devotees. The Temple has also ample
parking space. Call the Temple Manager at 301 552-
4889 for reservations.
DIRECTIONS TO MURUGAN TEMPLE: From I-95 (also
495, Capital Beltway), take exit 20-A, Lanham (Rte 450
East), then follow the signs to Princess Garden
Parkway. Turn right on Princess Garden Parkway.
“Murugan Temple” is on your left within half a mile
(6300 Princess Garden Parkway)
From Baltimore-Washington Parkway take Exit to Rt.
Non Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
So. MD
Permit No. 3958
Murugan Temple of North America
6300 Princess Garden Parkway
Lanham, MD 20706, USA
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
The Murugan Temple of North America is a traditional Saivite Tem-
ple. It has a floor area of 7000 sq. ft with main sannidhi for Murugan
(Karthikeya) and 4 small sannidhis for Vinayaka (Ganesha), Nataraja
(Siva), Meenakshi and Palani Andavar. We also have an auditorium