A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE

RAJAGOPURAM AND TEMPLE EXPANSION PROJECT

It is heart-warming to see the progress of brick work on the tiers of the emerging Rajagopuram. The dedicated silpis from Tamil Nadu are working diligently to

have this part of the construction com-pleted by the end of this year.

Inside the prayer hall where deities are housed, we can see the decorative pillars nearing completion on the north side. The intricate architecture of the pillars is painstaking work and needs hours of skilled silpis to complete each one. When the weather gets cold toward the end of the year, the work on the pillars will continue as will the other uLprakaram work. A recent addition to the interior architectural design is to have the arupadai veedu scenes, one scene between pillars on each side. These arupadai veedu scenes depicting Lord Murugan’s bountiful blessings will be aesthetically pleas-ing and bring to the devotees the spiritual message behind each of His six adventures. Phase 2 Temple Expansion includes, among other features, a kitchen, a dining hall, an elevator, a stand-alone Yaga Salai, a meeting room, a library and a children’s room. Permit papers have been filed with the appropriate authorities in Prince Georges County of Maryland where MTNA is located. We are at the tail-end of this long process and as soon as the permit is in our hands, we aim to issue a contract to begin construction.

MTNA VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DAY

SATURDAY, JULY 26, 2014 10:00 am—2:00 pm

Devotees are the foundation of any temple. Volunteers are the pillars. MTNA management has planned to celebrate the numerous contributions and count-less hours of service by devotees to our temple. MTNA volunteer appreciation day includes Special Abishekams, felicitations and food distribution. We cordially invite all the MTNA volunteers to come and join this celebration of their devotion to Lord Murugan.

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NALLUR FESTIVAL FRIDAY, AUGUST 8 AND

SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 2014 Sponsorship for both days of the Nallur Festival is $251.

The Nallur Kathirkamam Kanthan festival which has been a long-standing tradition in the world of Murugan devotees will be celebrated with all the splendor at our Murugan Temple on August 8th and 9th this year. Check the temple calendar for details As in the past, this year’s celebrations include the glorious Ratham (chariot run around the temple) of Lord Murugan with Valli and Devasena. There will be special Abhishekams, Homams, spectacular Alankarams, and Thiru-kalyanam (Sat. Aug 9). Please join the celebra-tions with your family and friends. For devotees visiting from out-of-state areas , please see a list of hotels at www.murugantemple.org or call the temple manager at 301-552-4889 .

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YAJUR UPKARMA— SUNDAY, AUGUST 10, 2014 8:00 am—11:00 am at MTNA

This event will be conducted by MTNA priests, first batch starting at 8:00 am. Individuals who may not be able to make it to the batch event, may contact the temple manager at 301-552-4889 for other possible arrangements.

_______________________________________________ VINAYAKA CHATUTHI— FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014

9:00 am Ganapati Homam, Special Ganapati Abishekam 6:00 pm Ganapati Pooja by children 7:00 pm Ganapati Sahasranamam, Procession

tl mbkhpf;f KUfd; Myak;

ahkpUf;f gankd;

ADI KRITHIGAI AND THIRUTHANI ARULVIZHA

CELEBRATION ~ SUNDAY, JULY 20, 2014 Sponsors Welcome

10:00 am Special Murugan Abhishekam 10:30 am Palkudam, Kavadi 11:00 am Murugan Vishesha dravya Abishekam Murugan bhajan ‘Thiruthani Murugan’—a short talk 12:30 pm Deeparadhanai Food distribution

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

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MAJOR CELEBRATIONS AND RELIGIOUS EVENTS AT MTNA

SEPTEMBER 2014

Please check the MTNA calendar or visit our website: www.murugantemple.org

Information is available with the Temple manager at: 301-552-4889

PLEASE DONATE GENEROUSLY TO THE MTNA RAJAGOPURAM AND TEMPLE

EXPANSION PROJECT

As you can see from the photographs on the right, Lord Murugan devo-tees are captivated by the steady progress of the Rajagopuram project. This is a project of the devotees, by the devotees and for the devotees. The Fund-raising Team is pleased with the response thus far from the devotees in terms of their donations and 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 see about the mode of donating to the project.

PLEASE DONATE TODAY!

You can donate online at: www.murugantemple.org

NAVARATHRI CELEBRATIONS Wednesday, September 24

Through Thursday, October 2, 2014

The Navarathri festival includes Durga Abishekam on the eighth day and Meenakshi Special Abishekam for the rest of the festival days and chanting of Lalitha Sahasranamam every evening during the festival.

Sponsorship All nine days: $251 Any single day: $75

Durgashtami Day: $151

ANNUAL RUDRA HOMAM SATURDAY, SEPT. 6, 2014 Event Sponsorship: $101

8:00 am Anugnyai, Kalasa

Pooja Eka dasa Rudra Parayanam

1:00 pm Vishesha dravya

Abishekam for Lord Siva

cUtha; mUtha; csjha; ,yjha;

kUtha; kyuha; kzpaha; xspaha;

fUtha; capuha;f; fjpaha; tpjpaha;

FUtha; tUtha; mUs;tha; Ffnd

— fe;jh; mEg{jp

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A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE RAJAGOPURAM AND TEMPLE EXPANSION PROJECT

(continued from Page 1) ____________________________________

As you can see on the left, even very young devotees are making efforts to contribute to the Rajagopuram project! One of the highlights of the MTNA efforts was the well-organized and efficiently conducted fund-raising event in Philadelphia area on May 3, 2014. Close to $73,000 was collected by a team of dedicated volunteers, led by Dr. Ramachandran Sivakumar of Philadelphia. We remain inspired and committed to completing the project. We seek the guidance and blessings of Lord Murugan for us to complete the construction and celebrate Mahakumbhabishekam in May-June 2015. May Lord Murugan encourage you to donate generously to the Rajagopuram and Temple Expansion project! Thank you, devotees for your continued financial and moral support!

MTNA Tamil school children collected and donated $10,000 check to Dr. Guruswamy for the Rajagopuram project in January 2014.

We love them for their devotion to Lord Murugan.

Philadelphia Fund-raising team May 3, 2014

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Murugan Temple of North America

6300 Princess Garden Parkway

Lanham, MD 20706, USA

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Non Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

So. MD

Permit No. 3958

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. MTNA auditorium is available for rent. Visit our web site: www.murugantemple.org

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.

AUDITORIUM: The Temple’s 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.

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.