MURUGAN TEMPLE OF NORTH AMERICA

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JULY SEPT. 2016 NEWSLETTER

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MAJOR CELEBRATIONS AND RELIGIOUS EVENTS AT MTNA

JULY SEPTEMBER, 2016

Please check the details in the 2016 MTNA calendar

or visit our website: www.murugantemple.org
Information is available at 301-552-4889
July 2016
July 310
Noothana Rajagopura Maha Kumbhabishekam
Successfully and grandly celebrated with devotees
Participation and support!
July 1130: Manadala Puja
Every evening, 67 pm:
Abishekam to Sri Markandeya Anugraha Murthy
and Sri Bairavar
Saturday, July 30
Last day of Mandala Puja
Aadi Krithigai and Thiruthani Arul Vizha
(see page 3 for details)
_______________________________________________
August 2016
Friday, August 5: 7:15 pm ~ Vilakku Puja
Sponsorship: $15
Thursday, August 11: Guru Peyarchi
10:30 am12 noon Homam, Guru Abishekam
Deeparadhanai and Prasadam distribution

SRI MARKANDEYA ANURGRAHA MURTHY

The above is a beautiful statue of Sri Markandeya
Anugraha Murthy, carved for Murugan Temple of North
America and newly consecrated at the Murugan Temple. It
seems that MTNA is the only temple in North American
continent to have this powerful deity installed to bless the
devotees who worship Him for a long and healthy life.

Friday August 12 and Saturday, August 13:

Nallur Festival days (See page 3)
September, 2016
Sunday, September 4: Vinayaka Chathurthi
Sponsorship: $75
9:00 am Ganapathi Homam & Ganapathi Special
Abishekam
See page 4 for details on Silvar Kavasam installation
6:00 pm Ganapathi Sahasranamam & Procession

In Thirukkadaiyur (located about 15 kilometers north of

Karaikkal), Tamil Nadu, there is a very special shrine for
Amritaghateswarar and His consort Abirami Devi. This is
one of the divine places praised by the three principal
nayanmars (Appar, Sundarar and Thirugnana Sambandar).
Typically, married men who turn 60, or 80 or 100 years of
age visit Thirukkadaiyur Sivan to pray for a long and
healthy life. And, childrens first birthday, Aayushhomam,
is also conducted at this site.

Sunday, September 11: Sri Rudra Homam

Sponsorship: $101
8:00 am Anugnyai, Kalasa Puja
Ekadasa Rudra Parayanam (11 times chanting of Rudram)
1:00 pm Visesha Dravya Abishekam for Sivan
Deeparadhanai
Prasadam Distribution

Abishekams can be performed to Sri Markandeya

Anugraha Murthy on any day without regards to auspicious
time. Our hope is that MTNA will become as popular as
Thirukkadaiyur. Please consult a priest at MTNA to schedule your special abishekam to this deity by calling MTNA.

ANNUAL NALLUR AND KATHIRKAMAM

FESTIVAL
AUG. 12 & 13, 2016
Nallur Kandaswamy temple in Yalpanam is an important institution for the Tamil Diaspora in Sri Lanka.
With Lord Kandaswamy in our heart, we conduct a similar
festival at MTNA every year. The Sri Lankan Tamils from
all over North America flood our temple during this festival
as Nallur Kandaswamy and Kathirkamam Kanthan are
seen through the eyes of the Washington Murugan. These
two shrines for Lord Murugan are beautifully depicted on
the walls of the prayer hall at MTNA.
On August 12 and 13, the Nallur festival will be celebrated
with special Abhishekams, Homams, spectacular Alankarams, and Thirukkalyanam. This festival is just not for the
elders who are familiar with the Nallur temple, its history
and significance, but it is an opportunity to educate and
entertain children too. There will be stalls distributing various fun items for devotees of all ages.
As has been the practice, Sathguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami of the Kauai Hindu Monastery will preside over the
festival and will give a spiritual talk on the morning of Sat.
Aug 13 in the prayer hall.
Have you been to a Nallur Thiruvizha at our Murugan Temple? If not, come and experience this fun event. Please
join the two-day celebrations with your family and friends.
For hotel accommodations, please visit our web site:
www.murugantemple.org or call 301-552-4889 for details .

VINAYAKAR (GANESHA) CHATURTHI

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2016
SPECIAL PROGRAM
INSTALLATION OF SILVER KAVASAM FOR
LORD GANESHA

9:00 am Ganapathi Homam and

Ganapathi Dravya abishekam
10:00 am 108 Sangu Abishekam for Lord Ganesha
11:00 am Noothana Velli Kavasam Sathal
(installation of silver covering)
11:10 am Ganapathi Archana & Deeparadhanai
12:30 pm Annadhanam (Food distribution
SPONSORS WELCOME
PL. CONTACT MTNA
At 301-552-4889

NOOTHANA RAJAGOPURA MAHA KUMBHABISHEKAM

The long-awaited event at Murugan Temple of North America was a grand spectacle! It is estimated that at least
6000 devotees witnessed the Rajagopura Kalasa Abishekam by seven learned priests on the morning of Sunday, July 10,
2016. Lit by the glorious morning sun, the newly built temple tower was astonishingly bright against the blue skies; it was
decorated with a mighty long twin strands of colorful flowers; the seven kalasams were decorated with brilliantly hued special silk cloths. The temple site was filled with devotees chanting Washington Muruganukku Arohara! in the most joyous
rendition. Many had tears of joy running down their cheeks. People had to wait in a long line to enter the temple via the
east opening which had the giant wooden doors. Inside the prayer hall, there was standing room only for Murugan devotees. Every aspect of the religious activities scheduled for that morning was completed like clock work under the direction
of Sri Thanga Bhattar and Sri Pitchai Gurukkal; the punctuality was amazing as the 15 minute window for the Rajagopura
Kalasa Abishekam was strictly observed. Devotees were treated to a sighting of an eagle right around the time of Kalasa
Abishekam; this was deemed a great spiritual experience for many. The drop of rose petals by a hovering helicopter previously arranged was a site to see for the devotees.
The prayer hall was meticulously clean and looked a lot more spacious than we thought. The majestic Dhawajasthambam (Kodi Kambam), new sculptures on the walls, the sixteen different forms of Lord Subramanian on the pillars, the
three newly consecrated deities and of course, the spectacularly decorated Lord Murugan and His two consorts, Valli and
Devasena were all the visuals that would be long remembered by the devotees. On the routine side of the event, the food,
both catered and prepared on site, was sumptuous and tasty; the cultural programs were quite popular and enjoyable. The
event management team did a super job making sure all the needs of the devotees were addressed in a timely and courteous manner. The success of the event is mainly due to the hundreds of volunteers; their dedication, countless hours of
hard work, limitless patience, sense of humor and spirit of cooperation are absolutely what made it an ever memorable
event for Lord Murugan devotees. The event was a re-affirmation of our notion that the devotees are the foundation and
the volunteers are the pillars of Murugan Temple of North America. May Lord Murugan Bless us all!

Sri Bairavar
This is one of the three new deities installed and consecrated
during the Noothana Rajagopura Maha Kumbhabishekam in early July, 2016.

Sri Bairavar is placed in the prayer hall facing the south. Sri Bairavar is believed to be
the guardian of the temple. He is believed to protect travelers. His vahanam is dog a
symbolic representation of kindness to animals. Another aspect of Sri Bairavar is that He
is the guru of Sani Baghavan. Following the Maha Kumbhabishekam, for 20 days in
the evenings special Abishekam was performed to Sri Bairavar.
At MTNA, special Abishekam to Sri Bairavar is scheduled on every Ashtami Thithi following Pournami (full-moon). Devotees are welcome to sponsor special Abishekam to Sri
Bairavar on other days, depending on Temple calendar and prior consultation with temple
priests.
Please check the fee and timing for Sri Bairavar Abishekam by calling MTNA at 301552-4889.

NOOTHNA RAJAGOPURA MAHA KUMBHABISHEKAM

Thousands of Lord Murugan devotees participated in the milestone event on July 10, 2016.

CULTURAL PROGRAMS DURING MAHA KUMBHABISHEKAM

JULY 310, 2016

CELEBRATION OF

Shathru Samhaara Homam

Sunday, July 17, 2016

AADI KRITHIGAI & THIRUTHANI ARULVIZHA

SATURDAY, JULY 30, 2016.
Devotees were doubly blessed by Lord Murugan this year!
The last day of Mandala Puja and the combination of Aadi
Krithigai and Thiruthani Arul Vizha were simultaneously
celebrated at our temple.
Over
150
devotees gathered to receive
the blessings
of the deities
at the temple.
The event was
marked
by
bhajan singing
by
Jaishree
and
Krishna
accompanied
by expert table player and keyboard player. The prayer
hall was filled with soothing divine vibrations.
The short talk in English by Dr. Chandramouli on Thiruthani
Murugan was informative and interesting.

A special event, Shathru Samhaara Homam to

Lord Murugan was performed at the temple to protect the
devotees from enemies from within and outside. This religious event is very popular in Vaitheeswaran Koil among
others. It is believed to bestow mental peace, health improvement and stabilize family relationships. Six learned
priests conducted homam, abishekam and pujas for six
faces of Lord Murugan.
PLEASE CONTINUE TO DONATE TO MTNA
Thousands of Lord Murugan devotees witnessed the grandeur of Rajagopura Maha Kumbhabishekam on July 10,
2016. The Fundraising Team is pleased with the response
from the devotees in terms of the donations and pledges
so far. The Board of Trustees is grateful to the generous
donors. But, the construction project continues; kitchen,
dining hall and other amenities for devotees are yet to be
completed. This part of construction still needs more funds
to move forward.
Please contact the temple at 301-552-4889 to see about
the mode of donating to the project.
PLEASE DONATE TODAY!
You can donate online too!
Details at: www.murugantemple.org

Alankaram to Lord Arumuga

Sri Markandeya Anugraha Murthy Abishekam

On the evening of the first day of each Tamil month a special abishekam to Sri Markandeya Anugraha Murthy will
be conducted at the Murugan Temple. The following are the scheduled Abishekam dates:
Tuesday, August 16Avani; Friday, September 16Purattasi; Monday, October 17 Ayippasi
Tuesday, November 15Karthigai; and Thursday, December 16Margazhi
The exact time for the proposed abishekam will be announced in advance
and can be obtained by calling MTNA

Murugan Temple of North America

6300 Princess Garden Parkway, Lanham, Maryland 20706 ~ www.murugantemple.org ~ 301-5524889

SRI RUDRA HOMAM

SUNDAY
SEPTEMBER 11, 2016

cUtha;
kUtha;
fUtha;
FUtha;

mUtha; csjha; ,yjha;

kyuha; kzpaha; xspaha;
capuha;f; fjpaha; tpjpaha;
tUtha; mUs;tha; Ffnd

8 am Anugnyai, Kalasa Pooja, Ekadasa Rudra

Parayanam
1 pm Vishesha Dravya Abishekam for Sivan
Deeparadhanai and Prasadam Distribution

TEMPLE HOURS: Monday Friday 9 am 12 noon & 5 pm - 9 pm;

Saturday, Sunday, & Holidays 9 am 9 pm.

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TEMPLE SERVICES: MTNA Priests are available to perform religious

ceremonies for devotees. Please call the Temple Manager to discuss your
needs and make prior arrangements for ceremonies at the Temple or in your
home. Also, ask for information about local hotels for your short stay during
visit to the temple.
AUDITORIUM: The Temples auditorium capable of seating about 200 people
in the basement is available for rent by Devotees. The Temple has also ample
parking space. Please call the Temple Manager at 301 552-4889 for
reservations.

The Murugan Temple of North America is a traditional

Hindu Temple. It has a floor area of 7000 sq. ft with
main sannidhi for Murugan (Karthikeya) and separate
sannidhi for each of the other deities: Vinayaka
(Ganesha), Durgai Amman, Siva, Meenakshi Amman
and Palani Andavar. Navagrahas are featured as well.
Visit our web site: www.murugantemple.org

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. 193 East Greenbelt
Road. Turn left on Greenbelt Road. Turn right on Hanover Parkway, which
becomes Princess Garden Parkway. Drive about 2.5 miles. The temple will be
on your right.