6300 Princess Garden Parkway, Lanham, MD 20706. 3015524889, www.muruganTemple.

org VINAYAKA CHATURTHI Lord Ganesha or Vinayaka is the remover of all obstacles. MTNA will celebrate Vinayaka Chaturthi on a grand scale on Sept 19th. . The celebrat ions include Specia l Abhishekam, Homam, Sahasranamam recit at io n and Vinayaka procession. Please mark your calendars and participate in the celebrations. KUMBABISHEKAM ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATIONS

EDUCATING THE GENX: MTNAS FIRM

COMMITMENT AND ACTION

NALLUR KATHIRKAMA KANTHAN FESTIVAL Murugan Temple will celebrate the Nallur Kathirkama Kanthan festival with the chariot run for the fourth successive year on August 10th and 11th. Please see page 2 for more details of the schedule.
Index Vinayaka ChaturthiAnnouncement Kumbabishekam Educating the GenXArticle Nallur Festival Vilakku PujaArticle Nandavanam and Temple Blog Saiva Saints Guru Puja - Article Calendar

The Kumbabishekam anniversary celebrations were conducted on a magnificent scale on June 1 st and 2nd to coincide with Vaikasi Visakham. The celebrat ions included special Abhishekams, Alankarams, Procession of the deities around the Temple, Kavadi and Pal kudam and Thiru Klayanam. Devotees from different parts of USA were present. Refer to the Temple blog for photos from the grand celebrations.

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Rajagopuram and Temple Expansion 3, 4

The Murugan Temple of North America (MTNA), mindful of the importance of nurturing the glorious ancient traditions of Tamil and Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma), is dedicated to imparting this distinguished cultural heritage to the young children of its congregation. We believe that it is imperative to empower our future generation in a Children rendering way in which bajans during a Temple function they will be knowledgeable, confident and proud of their heritage in this multicultural and multireligious society, so that they become respectable members and leaders of tomorrow. Teaching the philosophy of Hinduism, especially the monistictheism, which is worshiping God on the outside (theismtaking part in the Hindu rituals, festivals and pujas) and
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realizing God within oneself (monismrealizing the Self God through meditation), is central and essential. To help this, students learn to recite Hindu devotional songs composed by our Saiva Saints in Carnatic or classical Indian music style (Bajan), learn Hatha Yoga and Tamil language in classes conducted by the MTNA Learning Center on alternate Sundays between 10:15 AM and 1:00 PM at the Murugan Temple. The Tamil, Bajan, Hinduism and Educating children in our Yoga classes are taught great tradition of Tamil, by volunteers who have indepth music and yoga is an integral knowledge in the respective part of the MTNA culture. areas. These classes at MTNA were started about nine years ago by dedicated volunteers with a mission to teach Hinduism and Tamil language and its rich culture to the young generation born and/or brought up in the USA. Bajan classes are conducted by Ms. Rathini Vijayaverl, a welltrained, enthusiastic and experienced guru in this field. Hatha Yoga classes are led by a longtime practitioner of this ancient life science and Murugan Temple member. Hatha Yoga (also called Hatha Vidya) is a system of Yoga described by Yogi Swatmaramaa Hindu sage of the 15th century India and the compiler of Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Religious classes are taught by several longtime MTNA devotees, who are blessed with deep religious knowledge and visualization. They are also members of the Master Course Study Group, which strives to learn the Saiva Siddhanda way of life leading to SelfRealization; this Group was formed with the blessings of Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, who established the Kauais Hindu Monastery in 1970 and who was the foremost disciple of Siva Yogaswami of Sri Lanka. Periodically, the MTNA Learning Center receives teaching materials on Hinduism from this Hindu Monastery and its monks offer help and advice to the Hindu religion teachers. The Tamil language classes are taught by volunteers who have deep interest and knowledge in this language. Currently, about 25 students are enrolled at the MTNA Learning Center. There are more than ten dedicated volunteers helping to run this Center. Based upon the speaking and writing skills in Tamil, students follow a structured sixyear syllabus that is derived from the curriculum put forward by the American Tamil Academy (ATA), which is an organization that attempts to standardize the curriculum for all Tamil schools in the USA.
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NANADAVANAM

We are always looking for volunteers, plants, and any other material that you will like to donate towards the Temple garden. We will be using the flowers at our daily Pujas. Please contact the Temple manager or email to temple.projects@gmail.com to volunteer or for more details.

TEMPLE BLOG Missed a Temple function? Want reminders for upcoming events? You can catch up with photos from all past events and get updates of upcoming events by signing up with blog www.murugantemple.wordpress.com.

CHITRA POORNIMAVILAKKU PUJA

Many women participated in the Vilakku Puja celebrations held at the Temple on Chitra Poornima. All Poornimas are very auspicious for Meenakshi Amman. Chitra Poornima, being the first Holiness in red and yellow Poornima of the Tamil New hue Year, is indeed very special. A Vilakku Puja was conducted along with Lalitha Sahasranama Archana for Meenakshi Amman to celebrate this auspicious occasion. It is also the day when Chitragupta, the bookkeeper of all our deeds, starts his duty of book-keeping for the year and worshipping on this occasion guides us in good virtue. More than 50 women participated in the Puja and offered Kumkuma Archana. This form of worship is believed to bestow good health and well -being to not only the women who perform the Puja but to all their families, as it is indeed a prayer by the motherly women to the Mother of all worlds. Prayer to the Mother
of all worlds

SAIVA SAINTS GURU PUJAA UNIQUE FESTIVAL OF THE MURUGAN TEMPLE Saiva Saints Guru Puja is a special celebration that is unique to the Murugan T e mp le. T his fe st iva l commemorates the glorious co nt r ibut io n o f t he Nayanmars, the flag-bearers of the Saivaite tradition, 63 of them. Each one of them

Commemoration of Thirumurai

distinguished themselves with their immeasurable devotion to lord Siva. They all have shown us the way to God by their lives and deeds. We, their Kids offering flowers and fruits to idols of Nayanmars fortunate descendants, have been bequeathed a great treasure trove of devotional literature in the form of Thirumurai, Devaram, Thiruvempavai and many more. Each year, t his funct io n is conducted at the Murugan Temple on the first Sunday of April. This year, it was st Religious discourse by a devotee held on April 1 . The celebrations included during the guru Puja
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recitation of Thirumurai, Pujas to all Nayanmars, procession of Thirumurai around the Temple and religious discourse by a Temple devotee. Students of Temples religious classes attended the event and rendered bajans. The kids also offered flowers and fruits to the idols of the Nayanmars. Another very special aspect of these celebrations is that along with the 63 Nayanmars, Late Sri. Kripananda Vaariar, a contemporary Saiva philosopher and ardent devotee of Lord Procession of Thirumurai Mur uga is a lso felicitated during the event. This is also one Temple event where the participation of young children is strongly emp hasized a nd encouraged. And in testimony to the Temples efforts to educate the next generation in Children rendering prayers and Hinduism, lots of kids Bajans was a key highlight of the participated in the Guru Puja celebrations c e l e br a t io n s a nd recited Tamil prayers and bajans.

Tamil Saints called the Nayanmars have bequeathed to us a great tradition of devotion.

Ganapati Tunai Why Fear? I Am Within You and Protect You Always Murugan

Make Murugan Temples Rajagopuram Part of Your Legacy First Brick (Special) $51 Ten Bricks $1,010 North or South Gopuram $250,000 Sponsor Festival Days Panguni Uthiram All Day Sponsorship $101 Kumbabishekam Sponsorship: Both Days $251 Kumbabishekam Sponsorship: One Day $151 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 :_________________________ Please indicate desired dates :_______________________________

MTNA Newsletter Printing and Mailing $__________ Check Enclosed for $__________ Name _________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________ City State _________ ZIP __________________ Phone ____________EMail ________________________________ 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

JULY ShashtiJuly 8th Noon thirumurai recital in front of Siva sannidhi 06:00pm Murugan Abhishekam Tamil month Adi beginsJuly 15th Adai amavasaiJuly 18
th

Nallur Festival Day 2Aug 11th 08:00AM Ganapathi Puja 08:45AM Kavadi, Pal Kudam and Murugan Abhishekam 11:00AM Utsavar ascending Ratham and procession 01:00pm Lunch 02:15pm Utsavar descending Ratham 03:00pm thiru Kalyanam and Murugan procession inside Temple, Sahasranamam and Archana. Tamil month avani begins Aug 16th Thiru OnamAug 29th SEPTEMBER Sept 9th Noon Thirumurai recital in front of Siva Sannidhi Tamil month Purattasi begins Sept 16th Sama UpakarmaSept 16th Vinayaka ChaturthiSept 19th 09:00AM Ganapathi Homam and Special Abhishekam

07:00pm Ganapathi Sahasranamam and Procession

Nataraja AbhishekamSept 28th

06:00pm Nataraja Abhishekam

Mahalaya Paksha Sraddha begins Sept 30th

MONTHLY EVENTS
PradoshamJuly 1, 16, 30, Aug 14, 28 and Sept 13 and 27. 06:00pm Siva Special Abhishekam PoornimaJuly 2, Aug 1, 30 and Sept 29. Adhi Parasakthi PujaJuly 29, Aug 26, Sept 30 at 02:30pm Shankatahara ChaturthiJuly 6, Aug 5 and Sept 3 07:00pm Ganesha special Abhishekam ShashtiJuly 8, Aug 7 and Sept 6 06:00pm Shanmuga Abhishekam KarthigaiJuly 13, Aug 10 and Sept 6* 07:30pm Palani Andavar Abhishekam *- Abhishekam at 07:30pm Friday BajansJuly 6, 20, Aug 3, 17 and Sept 7, 21 08:00pm Singing Bajans.

Adi PooramJuly 22 10:30AM Meenakshi Abhishekam 6:00pm Meenakshi Sahasranamam Varalakshmi VratamJuly 27th AUGUST Yajur UpakarmaAug 1st Contact manager for more details Nallur Festival Day 1Aug 10th 09:15AM Ganapathi Homam and Abhishekam 10:00AM subramanya Homam and Abhishekam 06:30pm Ganapathi Sahasranamam and Procession 07:30pm Palani Andavar Special Abhishekam (Thiru Karthigai) .

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Murugan Temple of North America 6300 Princess Garden Parkway Lanham, MD 20706, USA

Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID So. MD Permit No. 3958

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

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 Temples 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. 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.

The Murugan Temple of North America is a traditional Saivite Temple. 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 that is available for community use.
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