MURUGAN TEMPLE OF NORTH AMERICA

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Oct. Dec. 2015

NEWSLETTER

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AN UPDATE ON THE
MURUGAN TEMPLE RAJAGOPURAM PROJECT
The construction of the five tier temple tower is nearing
completion. There are beautiful sculptures of Sri Murugan,
Sri Dhakshinamurthy and Sri Brahma and two Dhwarapalaka figures on each tier facing east. Other intricate ornamental work adds to the majesty of the tower. The proportions of the
statues
installed
are
carefully
matched to the
height of the
tower in each
tier. We are
excited to see
this phase of
painstaking
work by silpis
being
completed.

MTNA GALA FUNDRAISER EVENT

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2015
5 pm 10 pm
Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center
7120 Contee Road, Laurel, MD 20707
LIGHT MUSIC
DELICIOUS CATERED VEGETARIAN FOOD
DOOR PRIZES AND RAFFLE

SPONSORS WELCOME

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Architectural work in the main prayer hall will continue as the silpis get prepared to take it on in the very near
future. On the top part of the south side wall, Meenakshi
Sundareswarar Thirukkalyanam is being depicted. Two
expert silpis are in the process of creating Murugan-Valli
Thirukkalyanam sculpture to be installed on the north side
wall. The plastered walls in the prayer hall will be used to
display the Arupadai Veedu as well as the Nallur and
Kathirgamam versions of Lord Murugan.

A New Religious Event at MTNA

Subramanya Laksharchana
Saturday, November 14, 2015
100 Devotees will chant Subramanya Sahasranamam
(1008 names of Lord Murugan)
At 5:30 pm in the MTNA prayerhall
Please join us and bring flowers and/or fruit
Advance Registration Fee: $11

MAJOR CELEBRATIONS AND RELIGIOUS EVENTS AT MTNA

OCTOBER DECEMBER 2015

Please check the details in the 2015 MTNA calendar

or visit our website: www.murugantemple.org
Information is available with the Temple manager at:
301-552-4889
OCTOBER

Tues. Oct 13 Wed. Oct. 21 Navarathri (page 4)

Sponsorship:
All 9 days:
$251
Any single day:
$51
Durgashtami day
(Tuesday, Oct. 20):
$101
Thursday, Oct. 22 - Vijaya Dasami
NOVEMBER

Thurs. Nov. 12 - Tues. Nov. 17Skanda Sashti

(page 5)
Six day sponsorship: $251
Sat. Nov. 14 - Subramanya Laksharchana
Sat. Nov. 21 - Skanda Sashti and
Thiruchendur Vetri Vizha Celebration
Sponsorship: $151
Sat. Nov. 28 - Karthigai Deepam and
Swamimalai Guru Vizha Celebration
(page 5) Sponsorship: $151
DECEMBER

Thurs. Dec. 31 - New Years Eve Celebration

Cultural Program
11:00 pm Bhajan
Special Midnight Puja

Dear Murugan Devotees

SRI KALA SAMHARAMOORTHY

PLEASE
THE MTNA
It is
that DONATE
time ofGENEROUSLY
the year toTOmake
your
RAJAGOPURAM
AND
Annual Year-End tax
TEMPLE EXPANSION PROJECT
deductible contribution to MTNA

The above is a sketch of Sri Kala Samharamoorthya

form of Lord Shiva who granted immortality (forever sixteen
years of age) to Markandeya when the latter was to be
taken by Yama. This form of Lord Shiva is worshipped in
Thirukkadaiyur in Tamil Nadu; the sivalingam at this temple is known as Amrithakadeshwarar. Another name for
Lord Shiva at this place is Lord Mrithunjayamoorthy
(conquorer of death).

Lord Murugan devotees are captivated by the steady progress of the

PLEASE
TO THE
MTNA
RajagopuramDONATE
project. This isGENEROUSLY
a project of the devotees,
by the devotees
and for the devotees.
The Fundraising Team
is pleased with the reRAJAGOPURAM
AND
sponseTEMPLE
thus far from EXPANSION
the devotees in terms
of
the donations and
PROJECTS
pledges so far. But, the project calls for steady stream of more funds to
move forward. Please contact the temple manager at 301-552-4889 to
PLEASE
DONATE
TODAY!
see about
the mode
of donating
to the project.

A granite statue of Sri Kala Samharamoorthy will be installed at MTNA, facing north, in between Sri Durga Sannidhi and Lord Shiva Sannidhi. It is believed that MTNA
will be the first temple in the US to install this deity. Those
who wish to receive Lord Shivas blessings for a long life
are sure to find this a welcome addition to our temple.

You can donate online too!

Please contact the
templeDONATE
at 301-552-4889
PLEASE
TODAY!to see about the
mode
of
donating
to
the
You can donate onlineprojects.
too!
Details
Details at:
at: www.murugantemple.org
www.murugantemple.org

FUTURE SCULPTURES IN THE PRAYER HALL

Skanda Shasti Mahotsavam and Thiruchendur

Verri Vizha Celebration 2015
At MTNA Skanda Shasti Mahotsavam will be celebrated for six days from November 12 to 17 and culminate
in a special celebration as Skanda Sashti and Thiruchendur Vetri Vizha on Saturday, November 21, 2015. This
holy week will include homam, abhishekam, kavadi, palkudam, laksharchana, religious talk, and Murugan thirukalyanam. Please consult the temple calendar for details about
these events and sponsor an event of your liking.

Four samples of 16 Different forms (amsams) of

Lord Subramanya

As per Skanda Puranam, devas were being troubled by the demon Surapadman and for relief from this demon, the Devas and Indra asked Lord Shiva for help. Lord
Shiva told Indra, "I am to get a son who will put an end to
your sufferings." Lord Shiva created Muruga through his
third eye. Lord Muruga went to battle with Surapadman, his
brothers and his army. Devi Parvathy gave her son Lord
Muruga the powerful spear (Vel). In the battle, Lord Murugan won over Surapadman. Using the Vel (spear), Lord
Muruga split Surapadman in two pieces. These two pieces
became the peacock (Lord Murugans vahanam) and the
rooster (the symbol in Lord Murugans flag). The moral of
the story is not only victory over evil, but also the forgiveness of the wrong doing of your enemies to make foes into
friends. Skanda Shasti is celebrated to mark Lord Murugans victory over demon Surapadman.

Somaskandan

Skanda Shasti is celebrated in all Murugan temples from North America to the Batang caves in Malaysia,
and beyond. However, it is more grandiose at Thiruchendur Temple. Thiruchendur temple is one of the six homes
of Murugan; and is believed to be the place of the battle
against Lord Murugan and Surapadman. This temple is
located on the seashore facing south. The epic written in
seventh century, titled Skanda Puranam, narrates the story
of the war between Lord Murugan and Surapadman. In
Thiruchendur, this scene is enacted on the last day of the
Kandar Shasti. We, at Murugan Temple of North America,
will have similar enactment on November 17 at 7:30 pm. It
is a nice opportunity for young children to learn the story by
watching the enactment. During Skanda Shasti, devotees
recite the Kandar Shasti poem written by Devaraya Swamigal.

"Thuthiporkku val vinai pom, Thunpam pom,

pathiporkku selvam palithu kadithongum
Nishtayum kaikoodum
Nimalar Arul kanthar sashti kavacham thanai Nenjil "
The poem says:
The great sufferings and sorrow will vanish for those who pray,
The riches will increase for those who paste it in their mind,
All penance will surely bear fruit,

Dwarapalakas for Sivan and Murugan Sannidhis

NAVARATHRI CELEBRATIONS, 2015

Tuesday, October 13
Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Daily Schedule
11:00 am

Meenakshi Special Abishekam (Day 1 - 4

and Day 7 & Day 9 - these are week days)
10:30 am
Meenakshi Special Abishekam
(Day 5 & 6: Sat. Oct. 17 and Sun. Oct. 18)
Evenings: Lalitha Sahsranamam (After other scheduled
weekly Abishekams)
Note:

Please consult the MTNA calendar for start time

of Lalitha Sahasranamam

Durgashtami on Tuesday, October 20, 2015

9:00 am
1:00 pm

Chandi Homam
Durga Special Abishekam

Sponsorship for all 9 days: $ 251.00

Sponsorship for Durgashtami Day: $ 101.00
One day sponsorship for other days: $ 51.00

MTNA
GALA
FUNDRAISER
EVENT
Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015
5 pm 10 pm
Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity
Center
7120 Contee Road
Laurel, Maryland 20707

LIGHT MUSIC
DELICIOUS CATERED
VEGETARIAN FOOD
RAFFLES AND DOOR PRIZES
SPONSORS WELCOME

Special Alankaram to Meenakshi Amman every day!

All are invited!!

Please mark your calendar and attend

the event to support the MTNA
Rajagopuram and
Temple Expansion Projects

MURUGAN TEMPLE OF NORTH AMERICA

Skanda Sashti Mahotsavam

November 12 - 17, 2015
Full sponsorship for 6 days (Nov 12-17) $251
Day 1 Thurs. Nov 12

Day 2 Fri Nov 13

Day 5 Mon Nov 16

Day 3 Sat Nov 14

Day 4 Sun Nov 15

9:00am Ganapathi
Homam and
Abishekam

Skanda Sashti Day

Tue Nov 17
9:00am Ganapathi
Abishekam

9.45am Subramanya
Homam, Palkudam
& Kavadi

9:30am Palkudam &

Kavadi

10:00am Palkudam &

Kavadi

9.30am Subramanya
Homam, Palkudam &
Kavadi

11:00am Murugan
Abishekam

10:00am Murugan
Abishekam

11:00am Murugan
Abishekam

11:00am Murugan
Abishekam

6:00pm Murugan
Sahasranamam

6:00pm Murugan
Sahasranamam

6:00pm Murugan Sahasranamam

7:30pm Soora
Samharam

Sponsorship: $ 75

Sponsorship: $ 101

Sponsorship: $ 101

Sponsorship: $101

2015
Wednesday, Nov. 25
Karthigai Deepam
All day sponsorship: $151
6:00 pm Annamalai Deepam
6:30 pm Palani Andavar Special Abishekam
_________________________

Saturday, Nov. 28
Karthigai Deepam and
Swami Malai Guru Vizha Celebration

MTNA Offers Tamil and Religious Classes

For Children
The Murugan Temple offers Tamil, Bhajan, and Religious classes for
Children. Classes are on alternate Sundays from 10:15 AM until 1 PM and
include a short lesson on Hatha Yoga. Tamil language classes are

certified by the American Tamil Academy (ATA).

Please contact Dr. Pathmathevan Mahadevan,
appan69@hotmail.com OR
Mr. Vayudeva Varadan, vayudeva@earthlink.net for details.

9:30 amGanapathi Puja

10 amPalkudam and Kavadi
11 amMurugan Special Abishekam
Bhajan and Short talk
12:30 pmDeeparadhanai
6:00 pm Deepam
All day sponsorship: $151

and mental purity, and a fondness for familial and communal devotion.

Temple as the Source of Culture

For some twenty-five years, from about 1975 to
2001 my guru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami was instrumental
in helping temples get established. Gurudeva guided 37
temples in the United States, Canada, Guadeloupe, Denmark, England, Fiji, Germany, Mauritius, New Zealand,
Reunion, Russia, Sweden, and Sri Lankagiving each
community or temple an icon of God, usually Lord Ganesha, and guidance when needed. Lord Ganesha icon installed and worshipped in MTNA was a gift of Gurudeva.
Why did Gurudeva devote so much energy to helping establish the temples of organizations with no formal
ties to his? He did it because of a strong conviction that it is
the temple that perpetuates the culture. In other words, if
Hindus move to a country and do not build a temple, after a
few generations Hindu culture will have been lost.

After years of such practice, essential character

qualities, such as humility and devotion, can deepen. Devotion here means love of God. These qualities, which are
present in every cultured Hindu, may not develop in an individual growing up in the West unless he or she participates in regular worship.

Gurudeva stated: Its our relationship with God,

the Gods and the Goddesses that establishes our relationship with men, women and children. Culture comes from
being sensitive to other peoples feelings as we are sensitive within the temple to the feelings of the Gods and the
vibration emanating from the inner sanctum. Without religion in ones life and the practice of that religion in the home
shrine, in the temple, and pilgrimage once a year to a far
off place, culture quickly fails and the competitive culture
comes into play. As long as religion and worship and the
practice of pilgrimage and all the refinements of our great
religion are present, culture will be there.

The second level of the temples influence on the

home begins when a shrine is established in the home and
worshipped at daily. Wherever possible, it should be a
separate room, not in a cabinet or on a shelf. Such a dedicated space makes everyone living in the home think more
about God, reflect more on their behavior and be less inclined to become angry or argue, as they are living in
Gods presence.
Going to the temple every week can actually bring
some of the temples sanctity into the shrine room. My guru
taught that lighting an oil lamp in the shine room after coming home from the temple brings the temples shakti into
your home. That devotional act brings devas who were at
the temple into the home shrine, where, from the inner
world, they can bless the family and protect the home.

The Hindu temple can act as a powerful spiritual

hub that radiates out Hindu culture and devotional practices into the homes of those families who attend regularly.
Regularly means at least once a week. The process of
strengthening culture can happen on a number of levels.

The temples third level of cultural influence begins

when a family member, generally the father, performs
regular puja in the home. In a sense, he becomes the family priest, emulating the temple priests while following a
simpler, non-public liturgy known as atmartha puja. Such a
full puja done daily steadily strengthens the homes religious vibration.

The most basic is simply learning and following the

many traditions and protocols associated with visiting a
temple. No devout Hindu will approach the sacred home of
God without proper preparation. The simple necessities
include a bath, donning clean clothes and preparing an
offering tray, whether simple on a normal day or elaborate
for a festival. These acts are all important parts of templegoing.

The fourth level of temple influence on the home

begins when the shrine is strong enough that we feel that
the main Deity of the shrine, for example Lord Murugan or
Lord Siva is the head of the house. When that happens, we
would never think of having a meal without first offering a
portion to God. We would naturally want to always worship
God, even if briefly, before leaving the home and upon returning. Nandri. Vanakkam.

On arrival we need to wash our feet and handle

shoes in the specified way. Then the customary prostrations to the Deities, followed by circumambulation and presenting our offerings with a loving heart. When attending
puja, men and women may be required to sit on separate
sides of the mandapam. At key points throughout the rites
we pray and respond in specific ways. As children follow
the parents traditional protocols, they develop an appreciation for worship and sacred objects, respect for elders, an
understanding of the importance of physical cleanliness

(Speech given by Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami at the

Nallur Festival, MTNA, August 8, 2015.)

LIFE MEMBERSHIP

RECENT RELIGIOUS EVENTS AT MTNA

At the Annual General Body meeting in July, 2015

the Board of Trustees of MTNA got an unanimous approval
of the list of Life Membership awarded to the following
devotees of the temple. The list includes six members
who were previously awarded the status of Life Membership.
BALASUBRAMANIAN, V.
CHANDRA B. CHANDRAN
CHELLAM SUBRAMANIAN

Sri Kovai Jayaramans Thiruppugazh Bhajan, July 2015

ELYATHAMBY VIGNARAJAH
GOPAL GURUSWAMY
KANAGASABAI LOGANATHAN
KANNAPPAN
KEN KANAGALINGAM
KRISHNAN RAMASWAMY
KRISHNAN S. KUMAR
KUMARATCHI KRISHNAMURTHY
L. SEENIVASAN
M.N. KRISHNAN

Guru Peyarchi Puja, July 2015

MALATHI KUMERSAN
MANI SHANKAR
MANICKAM KRISHNAMURTHY
MOUNA P. SELVAM
NATARAJAN RAVENDRAN
NIGEL S. SIVA
NIRANJAN SARAVANAPAVAN
PATHMINI SARAVANAPAVAN
PUVANESWARY SATCHITHANANDAM
RAMANATHA SRIDHARAN
RAMU ARUMUGAM
SABA KULATHUNGAM

Nallur Festival, August 2015

SAMBANDAM BASKARAN
SARASWATHI RANGANATHAN
SARAVANAN MANIMEKALAI
SENTHAMARAI GANDHI
SIVA NAVARATNAM
SRIDHARAN S. IYENGAR
SRINI V. SRINIVASAN
SRINIVASAN V. SARMA
SUSEELA KRISHNAN
TIRUNILAYI SESHADRI
VIJAY JANAKIRAMAN
VIJAYAKUMAR KANDASWAMY

Sri Rudra Homam, September, 2015

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Murugan Temple
of North America

Devotees are the foundation of any temple. Volunteers are the pillars. MTNA needs more volunteers. We cordially invite the devotees to volunteer a few hours a month to help on various occasions. Please join the dedicated team of volunteers to show your devotion to Lord Murugan.
Please contact Dr. Manimekalai Saravanan at the temple phone number.
6300 Princess Garden Parkway, Lanham,
Maryland 20706, USA

www.murugantemple.org
301-552-4889

You can find us on the Face Book at

https://www.facebook.com/MuruganTempleNorthAmerica

MURUGAN TEMPLE PUJA FUND

We use flowers and garlands, milk and

fruits for deities for daily pujas as well as for special occasions. Please donate generously to the
MTNA PUJA FUND.
Contact 301-552-4889
for online donation or for other ways to donate.
FUTURE ADDITION TO
THE PRAYER HALL
On the left is the
granite sculpture of Sri
Bhairavar to be installed in the northeast
corner of the prayer
hall, near the Navagraha sannidhi. Sri
Bhairavar is considered to be the guardian
deity of abode of Lord
Shiva.

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kUtha; kyuha; kzpaha; xspaha;
fUtha; capuha;f; fjpaha; tpjpaha;
FUtha; tUtha; mUs;tha; Ffnd
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TEMPLE HOURS: Monday Friday 9 am 12 noon & 5 pm - 9 pm;
Saturday, Sunday, & Holidays 9 am 9 pm.
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.

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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.