6300 Princess Garden Parkway, Lanham, MD 20706

MURUGAN TEMPLE RAJAGOPURAM & TEMPLE EXPANSION PROJECT PROGRESS REPORT PRESENTED BY TIRUPANI KUZHU DATED 02/19/2012 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear MTNA Devotees: I am extremely happy to inform you that our Temple activities are progressing well. The year 2012 started with an immensely well-received New Years Eve program by our Washington area celebrities, the Dheem Tha Na Na music troupe. We ushered in the new year with Idol of Lord va r i ou s r e l i g i ou s Ganesha made ceremonies during the from turmeric first few days of the year, with hundreds of devotees in attendance. We were happy to see that so many chose to begin their year with the blessings of our Lord Murugan. We had Thai Pongal festivities on Jan 15th and the Durgai Amman First Anniversary Special Abhishekam and Vilakku Pooja on Jan 22nd . Both events were executed impeccably by our priests, and were an enormous success. On February 11th, Thaipoosam was celebrated with live Nadaswaram & Mirudhangam. In spite of the winter weather, there were numerous attendees from across the nation who traveled from far and wide to participate in the special day. Our observance of the holy day began with Homam and continued with Ganapathi Abhishekam, Paal Kudam, Paal Kavadi, Special Abhishekam to Lord Muruga, Annadhanam, Bharatanatyam,, Thirukkalyanam and culminated with the Lord Murugan Procession. There were
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PANGUNI UTTIRAM: APRIL 5TH AND 7TH Special celebrations will be conducted on April 5th (actual Panguni Uttiram day) and 7th to celebrate Lord Murugans wedding with Goddess Devasena, an occasion called Panguni Uttiram. It is also the day when Lord Sudareswara married Goddess Parvathy. Please mark your calendars for this grand wedding anniversary of the parents of all worlds. Refer to the Temple calendar for detailed schedule. KUMBABISHEKAM ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS AND VAIKASI VISAKHAMJUNE 1ST AND 2ND The grand Kumbabishekam anniversary celebrations will be conducted on June 1st and 2nd to coincide with Vaikasi Visakam (June 2nd). As always, the celebrations include special Abhishekams, Alankarams, Kalyana Utsavam, Procession, Kavadi and Pal kudam. Refer to the Temple calendar for detailed schedule.
Year end Tax contributions Nandavam Durai Amman first anniversary Saiva Saints Guru Puja Calendar 2 2 2 2 3

Front view of the Rajagopuram The concept plan guided by Padmasri Muthiah sthapathi with Rajagopuram, Temple expansion 4000sq. ft on the east side, 600sq. ft each on the north and south sides at the main Temple level with Gopurams for an estimated cost of $2.5 million was approved by the Board Of Trustees in their meeting on 2.12.2012. The kuzhu is earnestly engaged in selecting an architect/engineering company for the design of the project which is starting soon. The design is expected to be completed by fall 2012. Duration of the project including construction is 27 months. All devotees are requested to follow the progress of the project and do what is needed for fruitful completion of this project. Om Muruga, Be blessed !

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over three hundred ardent devotees in attendance and many of them chose to be official sponsors of the day-long event. Lord Murugan Vigrahams were distributed to these devotees as a token for their support of the days events. The Mahasivrathiri function was celebrated on February 19th and each of the many all-day sponsors were honored with a highly revered Spatika Lingam to carry home our Temples blessings. The Temple would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr. Ravikumar, Lord Murugan Devotee and also a religious scholar from the Parasakthi Temple in Pontiac, Michigan, who graciously provided the Murugan Vigrahams & Spatika Lingams to distribute to our sponsors. Physically, he was here for a week to conduct the grand Celebrations in Murugan Temple of North America. Sangabishekam was Most importantly, I would like to mention how blessed our Temple conducted by devotees and our community are to have passing on the conches countless devoted volunteers helping one-by-one to the priests to keep our Temple running successfully. From the familiar faces who attend all our Temple events, to our out-of-town guests in cities far away who work to raise awareness of our Temple in their own communities, the Temple is progressing well because of your continued support. Especially during the special occasions mentioned above, it was humbling to see the level of commitment our volunteers have, and these events were successful because of your supportwhether physical or financial. In the following months, we will have observances for Maasi Maham, Panguni Uthiram, Guru Puja, Chithirai Thiruvizhaa & Our MTNA Anniversary Celebration. We have a Rajagopuram Thiruppani Kuzhu in place; authorized by the Board of Trustees of Murugan Temple of North America, lead by Spatika Lingam the senior member of Murugan Temple, Thiru Seshadri, for the Rajagopuram & Temple extension plan. We will be ready to start the Rajagopuram Project, beginning with the Commercial Kitchen as soon as our architectural drawings are approved by the County Government. Please come and participate in our fundraising efforts if you are able to. We are hoping that many of our ardent devotees will become official Grand Sponsors for the Rajagopuram and Temple extension plan. Please support our Temple at this critical time of growth to ensure that our devotees have a wonderful place of worship for generations to come. On behalf of the Murugan Temple of North America, I would like to acknowledge and thank all of our dedicated Devotees/ Volunteers for your continued support. I sincerely hope to see you all at our upcoming events. May Lord Murugan bless you and your family in good health and happiness. Endrum Anbudan, Dr. M.P. SELVAM, President/MTNA. 2

YOUR YEAR END CONTRIBUTIONS LETTER NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE This information can now be easily obtained from the secure website www.murugantemple.us. Register if not already done so. Retain this newsletter for help during registration. Click 'Register' and Click 'Help' adjacent to the DevoteeID field to obtain DevoteeID. NANDAVANAM Our temple needs all types of flowering plants and shrubs so that we will have abundance of flowers for pujas and decorations. We also need volunteers during spring, summer, and fall to plant, water, and help maintain the garden. We need volunteers with enthusiasm wanting to see a beautiful garden. contact the Temple manager (3015524889) or Mr. Vignarajah at temple.projects@gmail.com. Thank you. MAHASIVARAHTRI Mah asi var ah tr i wa s conducted on a grand scale on Feb 19th-20th with special Abhishekams and Alankarams to Lord Siva for all 4 kala pujas. Consecrated spatika lingams were given to all sponsors. Can it get more beautiful than Many devotees attended the this - Devotees watching the special occasion and Deeparathanai to Lord Siva after received the blessings of the special Alankaram. Lord Siva. A devotee rendered special Bajans at the Temple. DURGAI AMMANFIRST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS To commemorate the first year anniversary of the kumbabishekam for the Noothana Durgai Amman, special pujas and celebrations were conducted on Jan21st and 22nd.. The highlight of the event was the special Vilakku puja that was performed by women devotees.

SAIVA SAINTS GURU PUJAAPRIL 1ST The annual Saiva Saints Guru Puja will be conducted on April 1st. This function is unique to MTNA and is done to commemorate the 63 Nayanmars, the pioneers of the bhakti tradition in the Saiva culture. Also felicitated is Late Sri Kripananda Warriar, who was a great devotee and exponent of devotion to Lord Muruga. The celebrations include recitation of Thirumurai, procession of the Thirumurai and speech by an ardent devotee of Lord Muruga. This occasion is a humble tribute of the devotees of the Siva Kudumbam (Sivas family) to the great saints whose knowledge and devotion hold the beacon light to all of us in our pursuit of worship, devotion and to Lord Siva Himself. This occasion also commemorates the great devotional literature we have inherited from the Nayanmars.

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

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 :_______________________________

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 Jun 26th TueAni Thirunamjanam 06:00AM Nataraja special abhishekam MONTHLY EVENTS PradoshamApr 4, Apr 18, May 3, May 17, Jun 1 and Jun 16 06:00pm Siva special Abhishekam First Friday BajanApr 6, May 4 and Jun 1 08:00pm Singing Bajans by devotees Third Friday BajanApr 20, May 18 and Jun 15 08:00pm Singing Bajan by devotees PoornimaApr 5*, May 5 and Jun 3 06:00pm Meenakshi special Abhishekam (* - special Abhishekam at 07:45pm) Sankatahara ChaturthiApr 9, May 8 and Jun 7 07:30pmGanesha special Abhishekam KarthigaiApr 23, May 20* and Jun 16** 07:30pmPalani Andavar special Abhishekam (* - Abhishekam at 06:00pm ** - Abhsiehakm at 07:00pm) Shukla SashtiApr 27, May 24 and Jun 25 06:00pm Murugan sahasranamam Adhi Parasakthi PujaApr 29, May 27 and Jun 24 at 02:30pm Nataraja AbhishekamMay 12 and Jun 26 06:00AM Nataraja special Abhishekam. Adhi Parasakthi Puja (at 02:30pm) Apr 29, May 27 and Jun 24

APRIL Apr 1st SunSaiva Saints guru Puja 10:00AM Nayanmar Puja followed by recitation of Thirumurai and procession Apr 5 Thu Panguni Uttiram 09:00AM Ganapathy Abhishekam 09:30AM Subramanya Homam 10:30AM Kavadi and Pal Kudam 11:00AM Murugan Abhishekam Apr 7th Sat Panguni Uttiram special celebrations 09:00AM Subramanya Homam/Kavadi, Pal Kudam and Murugan Abhishekam 11:00AM Bajans 12:30pm Deeparathanai and lunch 03:00pm Thirukalyanam and procession Apr 8th Sun Noon Thirumurai recital at Siva sannidhi Apr 13th Fri Tamil New year 09:00AM Ganapathy Homam 09:45AM Ganapathi Abhishekam 10:30AM Murugan special Abhishekam MAY May 13th Sun Noon Thirumurai recital at Siva sannidhi May 14th MonTamil month Vaikasi begins JUNE Jun 1st FriKumbabishekam anniversary celebrations: Day 1
th

09:00AM Ganapathy Homam 09:45AM Ganapathy Abhishekam 10:15AM Kavadi and Pal Kudam 10:45AM Murugan special Abhishekam 12:30pm Deeparathanai 05:00pm Ganapathi sahasranamam and Ganapathi procession Jun 2nd SatKumbabishekam anniversary celebrations: Day 2 09:00AM Ganapathi Puja 09:30AM Subramanya Homama and 108 Sangu Puja 10:00AM Kavadi and Pal Kudam 10:45AM Murugan Sangabishekam 12:30pm Deeparathanai 01:00pm Lunch 03:00pm Thirukalyanam 04:00pm Murugan procession Jun 2nd SatVaikasi Visakham Jun 10th Sun Noon Thirumurai recital at Siva sannidhi Jun 14th ThuTamil month Ani begins Jun 16th SatSani Pradosham 06:00pm Siva special Abhishekam

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

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Thai Poosam 2012 at MTNA See inside for more

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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