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. ARDRA DARISANAMJAN 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.

Happy New year 2012 and Happy Pongal

THAI POOSAMFEB 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.

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).

INDEX
Maha Sivarathri Ardra Darisanam Thai Poosam Rajagopuram Thirupani Annual Fundraiser: A grand success Felicitating the new graduates Thanksgiving Meal and Nandavanam Skanda Sashti Navarathri Rudra Homam Jan-Mar calendar Temple hours and directions 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 4

2012 MTNA calendar available at the Temple now

2 ANNUAL FUNDRAISER: A GRAND SUCCESS The Murugan Temples 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 pieces titled PARAAPARAM. The program for the evening also included an auction of sarees, and the bidding process added to the entertainment. A sumptuous dinner was provided by the Temple. The dancers also performed a fundraiser Tharini Shanmugarajah and event for the Murugan Temple at Bellflower, CA Sheejith Krishna during their on October 16th. performance 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. 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 evignarajah@hotmail.com. 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. Mur ugan Temple conducted the Skanda Sashti celebrations from Oct 27th to Nov 1st. Sangaabhishekam, beautiful Alankarams, ThiruKalyanam and the procession of the utsavar around the sanctum were Priests bring Kalasams for Abhishekams the highlights of the concluding day 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 provided by V o l u n t ee r s of 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 Temples charitable activities, please contact the Temple manager at 301-552-4889 email Mr. Vignarajah at MTNAtemple.projects@gmail.com. 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 MTNAtemple.projects@gmail.com RUDRA HOMAMOM 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.

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 Temples 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 ____________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

JANUARY
Jan 1st, SunNew Years day 11:00AM Murugan Special Abhishekam Jan 8 , SunArdra Darisanam 06:00AM Natarajar Special Abhishekam Noon Thirumurai recital in Siva sannidhi Jan 14th, SatBhogi Tamil month Thai beings Uttarayana punyakalam Jan 15th, SunThai Pongal Jan 22nd SunThai Amavasya Jan 30th, MonRatha Saptami
th

Feb 13th, MonTamil month Masi begins Feb 18th, SatSani Pradosham 06:00pm Siva Special Abhishekam Feb 19th, SunMaha 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, MonMaha 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

Mar 14th, WedTamil month Panguni

MONTHLY EVENTS
KarthigaiPalani Andavar Special Abhishekam at 07:00pm Jan 4, Feb 1, Feb 28 and Mar 26 PradoshamSiva Special Abhishekam at 06:00pm Jan 6, Jan 20, Feb 5, Feb 18, Mar 5 and Mar 19 PoornimaMeenakshi Special Abhishekam at 06:00pm Jan 8, Feb 6 and Mar 7 Sankatahara ChaturthiGanesha Special Abhishekam at 07:45pm Jan 12, Feb 10 and Mar 10 Shukla SashtiMurugan 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.

FEBRUARY
Feb 6th, MonThai 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, SatThai 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

MARCH
Mar 7th, Wed Masi Maha Maham 10:00AM Murugan Special Abhishekam March 13 , Tue Karadaiyar Nombu 3
th

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 5524889 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.

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