TEMPLE TIMES. Ganesh Temple, with vimana seen through skylight

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1 TEMPLE TIMES rd Quarter 2015 July, August, September Ganesh Temple, with vimana seen through skylight A Quarterly Publication of Sri Meenakshi Temple Society Pearland, Texas

2 Sri Meenakshi Temple Society McLean Road, Pearland, TX SPECIAL EVENTS JULY TO SEPTEMBER Aug Sun MTS main Temple Anniversary 7-Aug Fri Bagavathi Seva 14-Aug Fri Aadi Sukravara Deepa Pooja 16-Aug Sun Aadi Pooram 28-Aug FRI Varalakshmi Vritham & ONAM 29-Aug Sat Aavani Avittam 30-Aug Sun Gayatri Japam 5-Sep Sat Gokulashtami 6-Sep Sun Sri Jayanthi 17-Sep Thu Vinayaka Chaturthi & Ganesh Temple Anniversary 20-Sep Sun Vinayaka Chaturthi Celebration - MTS 26-Sep Sat Bhaja Govindam MONTHLY SCHEDULED ABHISHEKAM DATES JUL TO SEPT JUL 2015 TO SEPT 2015 JUL AUG SEP Sukla Pradosham Krishna Pradosham Sukla Ekadasi Krishna Ekadasi Sankata Hara Chaturthi Moolam Sashti 7, 22 5, 21 4, 19 Krithigai Punarvasu Poornima 2, Ashtami , 23 6, 21 Sukla Chaturthi Sravanam (Cover Photo credit Srini Sundarrajan) 2

3 A MESSAGE FROM THE MTS BOARD MTS Executive s Message Greetings. Second quarter of 2015 has been one of the busiest quarters once again. We had many festivals during the quarter including Tamil new year, Vishu, Panguni Uthiram, Rudra Japa Homam, Raja Mathangi Homam, and an 11 day long Mahotsavam culminating in Meenakshi Kanyadanam and Kalyanam. There were large crowds for each of the events and the highlight of the festival season was the sit down feast, prepared and served by a large contingent of volunteers for over 1200 people on Meenakshi Kalyanam day. After a gap of several years, Hanuman Jayanthi was officially celebrated by an enthusiastic crowd chanting Hanuman Chalisa. The religious events were executed flawlessly by the RAC team and temple staff. There were many new initiatives during the quarter, starting with building a new walking track of 500 yards behind the visitor center that adds to the existing walking pathways and a half of a basketball court next to the staff quarters. These were built to encourage people to be more health conscious and spend more time on temple premises. It will allow the younger generation to have the facilities at the temple to mimic a community center. A basketball tournament was held for the youth during May and it is a goal to conduct the next tournament on a FULL court at the temple. VHS has completed another successful school year and registrations have started for the next year. Speaking of youth, the young in spirit, AKA, the GOLDEN GROUP, has been resurrected with a bang. The monthly meetings are proving to be a great draw and you can read more about them in Dr. Arun Mukhopadhyay s column about Satsang. Going across the age spectrum, Chenda Melam classes have been introduced on Friday evenings and are open to all. We will restart the Yoga classes for all age groups when the new VHS school year starts in September. Youth Center and Kalyana Mandapam are receiving facelifts and fixes. As you may have noticed, they have been freshly painted outside and roofs are being fixed for leakages that were noticed during the rainy season. There is more work to be done in fixing some areas of the roof. As part of maintenance, A/Cs have been tuned up for summer and several A/Cs have been fixed. A brand new riding lawn mower was bought to support the maintenance of temple grounds. The main temple renovation is going very well. The new walls have been built and the roof will soon be closed over the expanded space. Six silpies have arrived from India during April and within a short time frame have completed the structure and Vimanam for new Padmavathi sannidhi. They will work on finishing, plastering and beautification of this structure. Two additional stone silpies will be arriving to add the granite upapeetam of 30 inches to the bottom of the new walls. When the upapeetam is complete, the silpies will start adding additional beautification work to the walls. The space inside the temple has been slightly reduced due to the false wall built in order to be able to work on the construction of the new walls and deconstruction of the older structures. The temple will be functional for the next few months but we hope you are able to bear with us for any inconveniences caused due to construction. May the blessings of Goddess Meenakshi, Lord Sundareswara, Lord Venkateswara and Goddess Padmavathi always be with your family. Padma Golla (Treasurer, MTS Board) Sri Meenakshi Temple Society 3

4 Sri Meenakshi Temple Society McLean Road, Pearland, TX July Jul Wed 6.30 PM Satyanarayana Puja 1-Jul Wed 7:00 PM Moola- Anjaneya Abhishekam 4-Jul Sat AM Sravana- Venkateswara Abhishekam 5-Jul Sun Main Temple Anniversary Celebrations 5-Jul Sun AM 1st Sunday-Venkateswara Abhishekam 5-Jul Sun 7:00 PM Sankatahara Chathurthi Ganapathi Homam & Abhishekam 6-Jul Mon 7:00 PM Siva Abhishekam 8-Jul Wed 7:00 PM Bairavar Abhishekam 12-Jul Sun AM Ekadasi-Venkateswara Abhishekam 12-Jul Sun 10:00 AM Krittikai Sri Subramanya Abhishekam 12-Jul Sun AM Meenakshi Abhishekam 13-Jul Mon 7:00 PM Pradosham Nandi & Siva abhishekam Procession after Deeparadana 16-Jul Thu 7:00 PM Aadi Amavasaya Sri Rama Abhishekam 20-Jul Mon 7.00 PM Chaturthi, Maha Ganapathy Abhishekam 20-Jul Mon 7:00 PM Siva Abhishekam 22-Jul Wed 7:00 PM Shashti, Subramanya Abhishekam 27-Jul Mon 7:00PM Ekadasi, Venkateswara Abhishekam 27-Jul Mon 7:00PM Siva Abhishekam 29-Jul Wed 7:00 PM Moola, Anjaneya Abhishekam 29-Jul Wed 7:00 PM Pradosham Nandi & Siva abhishekam Procession after Deeparadana 31-Jul Fri 7:00 PM Satyanarayana Puja REGULARLY SCHEDULED WEEKLY ABHISHEKAM Sri Ganesha Homam & Abhishekam...All days 7:00 AM Sri Siva (Sundareswara) & Sri Meenakshi Abhishekam...All days 9:00 AM Sri Siva (Sundareswara) Abhishekam...Mondays 7:00 PM Sri Durga Abhishekam...Tuesdays 7:00 PM Sri Padmavathy Abhishekam...Fridays 6:30 PM Sri Meenakshi Abhishekam & Lalitha Sahasranamavali...Fridays 7:00 PM Last Friday of the month Lalitha Sahasranamavali & Shodasa Upacharam Sri Navagraha Abhishekam...Saturdays 11:00 AM Sri Ayyappa Abhishekam...Saturdays 10:00 AM Sri Kanyaka Parameswari Abhishekam...Last Friday of the Month 7:00 PM Sri Meenakshi Abhishekam...Second Sunday of the Month 11:00 AM Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam...First Sunday of the Month 10:30 AM Puja sponsorships can be prepaid using your credit card at Puja sponsorships can be prepaid using your credit card at 4

5 VEDIC HERITAGE SCHOOL 1) Click on "VHS " from and make the $125 payment for the appropriate class. 2) Complete the Google Form to activate registration --- the link for the form is provided on the screen when you click "VHS ". 5

6 Sri Meenakshi Temple Society McLean Road, Pearland, TX Cordially invites you to attend and participate Guru Peyarchi Homam On Sunday, July 5, a.m. to 1.00 p.m. Guru Bhagawan will move from Kataka rashi to Simha rashi. Sankalpam, Vigneswara Pooja, Punyahavachanam, Kalasa Pooja, homam, Purnahuti, Deepaaradhana, Abhishekam for Navagraha, Alankaram, upachara pooja, final arathi and prasadam. Performing/participating in the special pooja is believed to help persons with one of the following birth stars/ rashi. Birth Stars Krithika/Karthigai 2 nd, 3rd & 4th Padams, Rohini all 4 padams, Mrigasheersham 1st & 2nd Padams Mrigasheersham 3 rd & 4 th Padams, Arudra 4 padams, punarpusam 1st, 2 nd and 3 rd padams Makam 4 padams, pooram 4 padams, Uthiram 1 st padam Uthiram 2 nd,3 rd,4 th Padams, hastham 4 padams, Chitra 1, 2 padams Vishakam 4 th padam, Anuradha 4 padams, Kettai 4 padams Uthiradham 2 nd, 3 rd, 4 th padams, Thiruvonam 4 padams, Avittam 1 st and 2 nd padams Pooradam 4 th padam, uthiradam 4 padams, Revathi 4 padams Rashi Rishabha Rashi 2 nd Place Mithuna Rashi 3 rd place Simha Rashi 1 st place, Janma Guru Kanya Rashi 12th Place Vrischika Rashi, 10 th place Makara rashi 8 th place, Ashtama Guru Meena Rashi 6 th place Sponsorship $51 For further information please contact Sasidharan Pillai at nsasipillai@aol.com, S.Narayanan at socn1@hotmail.com, Sriram at mksriram.mts@gmail.com 6

7 The importance of Satsang Arun K Mukhopadhyay The recent introduction of the Golden group activity by the personal effort of Dr. Vaduganathan and direct involvement of Mr Ramsunder, a board member of MTS made a big difference in our Satsang efforts. This is the first time since we started this Satsang activity in 1999 that the chairperson of MTS along with the board members got directly involved in a meaningful way in the activity of the Satsang. This is to be highly commended. The Meenakshi Temple is a sacred place. This is where we gather to see God, to feel God s presence, to worship God. We sing and chant God s name, hear the sacred Mantras recited by our priests, offer our sacrifices to God in the form of flowers, garlands, fruits, food items, and eat the prasadam blessed by God. This is where we pray in happiness and distress. This is where God has given us a home a spiritual home within the holy ground of the Temple. The contribution of this Temple in our lives goes deep within our psyche and helps in numerous intangible ways to strengthen our efforts to reach the Divine. It guides and fosters spiritual growth that transcends life s boundary and goes beyond. God says in Bhagavad Gita: My devotee never perishes. We are all, in a way, on the lap of Mother Meenakshi, but unaware of it. That is why Satsang is so important-- to remind us who we are. Satsang is a combination of two words. The first, Sat meaning Existence Absolute. The second, Sang, meaning company or union. Therefore, the complete meaning of Satsang is union with God. Aadi Shankaracharya said about Satsang that it gives rise to a gradual progress from worldly life to a spiritual life. From Satsang, he says you get Nissangatvam, nirmohatvam, nischalatatvam, and Jivanmuktih. That is, progress from worldly life to dispassion, disappearance of all confusions, one pointed attention, and liberation. When we talk about our scriptures, talk about the lives of our spiritual masters, we benefit from the experience. I would like to appeal to all our readers to please join us in this sacred task. On behalf of all who participate in this process I would conclude this article by stating from the Upanishad: Lead us from unreal to real, from darkness to light, and from death to immortality. 7

8 Celebrated Events in this quarter (July-Sept. 2015) Chitoor Ramachandran Aadi Sukravara Deepa Pooja (Aug. 14) and Aadi Pooram (Aug. 16) As a tradition, MTS organizes a special deepa pooja on the last Friday of Tamil month Aadi in which devotees (very auspicious for women to participate in this) at dusk. This is offered at the sannidhi of Sri Meenakshi. Tamil month Aadi (July-August) is considered a special month for the Mother in her various manifestations. Aadi Pooram is said to be the day when the Mother Goddess gave darshan to Andal, hence Aadi Pooram is a special day in Sri Parashakthi temples. It is said that dakshinayana is ideal for worship of Shakti. Offering of pulse sprouts on Aadi Pooram on this day symbolizes Shakti s engaging in creation on this day. Andal, the only woman among the twelve (12) vaishnavite devotees who composed Divya Prabhandham, is said to have been born on this day. Thiru Aadi Pooram is celebrated with grandeur at Srivilliputtur, the birth place of Andal. Varalakshmi vrutham (Aug 28) The Hindu festival going by the name Vara Lakshmi Vratha is celebrated on the Friday before the full moon in the Tamil Month Aadi which corresponds to the English months of July-August. It is a festival to propitiate the goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, one of the Hindu Trinity. Varalakshmi is one who grants boons (Varam). Avani Avittam (Yajur/Rig upakarmam) 2015 MTS provides facility with the guidance from Shaivite and Vaishnavaite priests to perform the annual traditional rituals. Sessions are held in batches starting as early as 7:00 AM. Separate special sessions for first timers (Thalai Avani avittam) are also held for those who register the names in advance. Jayadi homam is performed by around 11: 00 AM. Avani Avittam or Upakarmam, is an ancient ritual performed by those who have been initiated into the spiritual path of Brahma-realization (as it takes place during Upanayanam). This ritual falls on Shravana Poornima, an auspicious day on which Hayagreeva is believed to be incarnated. Hayagreeva, is honored as the avatara of Vishnu who represents wisdom and knowledge and is considered as the protector of the Vedas. His blessings are sought when beginning the study of both sacred and mundane subjects in the vaishnavite tradition. As a custom, constant recitation has been the way with which Vedic knowledge has been preserved. The annual observance of Upakarma is the beginning of learning of the Vedas (Veda adhyayanam) even if one is familiar with it. This is also the day for discarding the old yagnopaveetham in exchange for a new one. 8

9 Avani Avittam is observed on Saturday, August 29, Yajurveda upakarma (as an example) rituals begin with prayaschittam (atonement) (Ref: Meaning and Purpose of Kamo karsheet...manyuru karsheet sankalpam ( org/mantrasand rituals). This is followed by offering prayers and expression of our gratitude to those rishis who gave us the Vedas -- the rishis through whom the Vedic mantras were revealed. These rishis are known as kaanda rishis.. Subsequently we also offer our prayers to the Upanishads samhiti, yaajniki, and vaaruni, and finally to Svayambhu and Sadasaspati, through whom Yajur Veda came down to us. Both in the Upakarma Homam (Jayadi homam) and in the tarpanam, the offerings are made to the kaanda rishis. Tarpanam is very important that it is included as part of our nitya karma-anushtaanam. Pithru tarpanam is also performed to pay respect to the ancestors on this day. It is believed that tharpanam has to be performed with utmost discipline and pay attention to the specific variations of the rituals based on the different sects to which individuals belong. Your acharya or the priest who helps you perform the tharpanam should instruct you the exact procedure for your tradition. According to the religious rules to be followed for performing upakarmam as given in Samkshepa Dharma Sastra. Sri P Ramachander has published the procedure in the Vendanta Spiritual Library ( mantrasandrituals/avaniavittam.html with meaning and importance of each step. (Additional ref You are advised to review and understand the importance of each step ahead of time. Bringing a print out of the above document is also advisable when you come for performing the tarpanam. It is important that the devotees specifically communicate to the priest the tradition you follow (smartha, vaishnavite, yajur/rig vedic affiliation, bodhayana etc), your marital status (brahmachari or married) and whether you have living parents or not, before you join the group sessions. Gokulashtami, Sri Jayanthi (September, 5,6) is the birthday of Sri Krishna. This special day is celebrated by most Hindus, although regional variations exist in its name. Some of the names of this day include Sri Krishna Jayanthi, Ashtami Rohini, Janmashtami etc. Vinayaka Chathruthi (Ganesha Chathurthi) falls on September 17; for the convenience of the devotees, celebrations and rituals are held on Sunday, the September 20. Elaborate Pooja ceremonies and procession attract hundreds of devotees on this day. Bhaja Govindam (Sri Venkateswara Kalyana Mahotsavam (September 26) This is an annual event held at the Kalyana Mandapam for the worship of Sri Venkateswara. Elaborate Pooja in Vaishnava sampradayam and a grand Rathotsavam embellished by offerings of bhakthi sangeetham create an immaculately divine ambiance to visit the temple especially with children. 9

10 RAMAYANA MONTH (Karkitaka Masam) Sasidharan Pillai Ramayana Masam (July-August) in Kerala is observed in the Malayalam month of Karkitaka. This year Karkitaka Masam, the last month in the traditional Malayalam calendar, starts on July 17 and ends on August 16. It is the last month in the Malayalam calendar. Due to heavy rain, the month is referred to as the month of scarcity. To ward off nature s fury, the epic Ramayana is read in traditional Hindu houses, by Hindu organizations and in temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The holy book of Ramayana is one of the most widely read epics in India. It is the literary masterpiece of Sage Valmiki which reflects Indian ethos and values and it portrays the divine birth, childhood, and adolescence of Sri Rama. As per Malayalam Almanac, new ventures and auspicious functions are not held during this month. The Amavasai day in the Karkitaka month is dedicated to the dead ancestors and Hindus perform special pujas on this day. A pilgrimage to the temples dedicated to Lord Rama and his brothers is also undertaken in the Ramayana Masam. The famous Malayalam version of the Ramayana titled Adhyatma Ramayanam Kilippattu written by Thunchath Ramanujan Ezhuthachan is the one being recited. Ezhuthachan is regarded as the Father of Malayalam language. Another unique feature of the month is the sale of the book Adhyatma Ramayanam. As per the Hindu tradition, it is believed that the sage Valmiki completed the epic Ramayana during this month. The story of Lord Rama is a work of profound philosophy, offering answers to life s deepest questions. Revered throughout the ages for its moral and spiritual wisdom, it is a beautiful and uplifting tale of romance, recounting the odyssey of Rama. Many similes can be drawn from the characters of the Ramayana to spirituality. Lord Rama is paralleled to the Parmatman (Supreme Reality) and that Sita is the Jivatman (individual soul). Vibhishana represents Sattwa Guna (goodness) whereas Ravana represents Rajas Guna (lust and passion) and Kumbhakarana represents Tamas Guna (avarice and malice). According to Sant Keshavdas, Dasaratha symbolises the intellect that controls the senses. The three queens of Dasaratha are the three Gunas known as Sattwa (tranquility), Rajas (activity), and Tamas (ignorance, darkness). Rama is the transcendental Self and Lakshmana, Bharata and Satrughna are the triple manifestations of God. Manthara (the maid servant) symbolises the negative qualities that poisons Kaikeyi (the Rajasic-Tamasic mind). Sita is the cosmic energy (Kundalini). Rama s destruction of Ravana and Kumbhakarana symbolises the destruction of Rajasic and Tamasic egos. The installation of Vibhishana symbolises the establishment of Sattwa Guna and equanimity through self-realization. Union of Rama and Sita is the union of Shakti with the eternal consciousness of the true self. Rama s coronation symbolizes the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. This is the esoteric meaning of Ramayana. Decades ago, Karkitaka masam was marked by heavy rain, a time when people prayed to the Gods to prevent nature s fury. Times have changed and so have the prayers, but some traditions continued to be followed. From special discounts on religious books to ready-made mix of Karkitaka Kanji, a special gruel made during this season, the city markets are all set for the panja month, as it is popularly known. 10

11 Sri Meenakshi Temple Society McLean Road, Pearland, TX August Aug Sat AM Sravanam,Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam 2-Aug Sun AM 1st Sunday-Venkateswara Abhishekam 3-Aug Mon 7:00 PM Sankatahara Chaturththi Ganapathi Homam & Abhishekam 7:00 PM Siva Abhishekam 7-Aug Fri 7.00 PM Bairavar Abhishekam 7-Aug Fri 7:00 PM Bhagavathi Seva 8-Aug Sat AM Krittikai Sri Subramanya Abhishekam 9-Aug Sun AM Meenakshi Abhishekam 10-Aug Mon 7:00 PM Ekadasi, Venkateswara Abhishekam Mon 7.00 PM Siva Abhishekam 12-Aug Wed 7.00 PM Sri. Rama Abhishekam Wed 7.00 PM Pradosham, Nandi& Siva abhishekam procession after Deeparadhana 14-Aug Fri 7:00 PM AADI SUKRAVARA DEEPA PUJA 16-Aug Sun 7.00 PM Aadi pooram, Meenakshi Abhishekam, Andal Abhishekam 17-Aug Mon 7.00 PM Siva Abhishekam 18-Aug Tue 7.00 PM Chaturthi, Maha Ganapathy Abhishekam 20-Aug Thu 7.00 PM Subramaniya Abhishekam 24-Aug Mon 7.00 PM Siva Abhishekam 25-Aug Tue 7.00 PM Moola, Anjaneya Abhishekam 26-Aug Wed 7:00 PM Ekadasi, Venkateswara Abhishekam 27-Aug Thu 7:00 PM Pradosham, Nandi& Siva abhishekam procession after Deeparadhana 28-Aug Fri 7:00 PM Sravanam,Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam 28-Aug Fri 7.00 PM Varalakshmi Vratham 28-Aug Fri 7:00 PM Onam, Ayyappa Abhishekam 29-Aug Sat AM Satyanarayana Puja Sat Avani Avittam, Yajur upakarma; Rig upakarma; Gayatrhri Japam 30-Aug Sun Gayathri Japam 31- Aug Mon 7:00 PM Siva Abhishekam REGULARLY SCHEDULED WEEKLY ABHISHEKAM Sri Ganesha Homam & Abhishekam...All days 7:00 AM Sri Siva (Sundareswara) & Sri Meenakshi Abhishekam...All days 9:00 AM Sri Siva (Sundareswara) Abhishekam...Mondays 7:00 PM Sri Durga Abhishekam...Tuesdays 7:00 PM Sri Padmavathi Abhishekam...Fridays 6:30 PM Sri Meenakshi Abhishekam & Lalitha Sahasranamavali...Fridays 7:00 PM Last Friday of the month Lalitha Sahasranamavali & Shodasa Upacharam Sri Navagraha Abhishekam...Saturdays 11:00 AM Sri Ayyappa Abhishekam...Saturdays 10:00 AM Sri Kanyaka Parameswari Abhishekam...Last Friday of the Month 7:00 PM Sri Meenakshi Abhishekam...Second Sunday of the Month 11:00 AM Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam...First Sunday of the Month 10:30 AM Puja sponsorships can be prepaid using your credit card at or call the Temple Office at (281) Ext. 100 or110 11

12 Sri Meenakshi Temple Society McLean Road, Pearland, TX Cordially invites you to participate in the BhagavathiSeva Friday, August 7 th 2015 at 7:00 PM At AyyappaSannidhi Program DeepaPooja Sri LalithaSahsranamaArchana Sri LalithaTrisathiArchana SoundaryaLahari Deeparadhana Sponsorship $21 For further details please contact: Sasidhran Pillai nsasipillai@aol.com MK Sriram at mksriram.mts@gmail.com Narayanan.S at socn1@hotmail.com 12

13 Sri Meenakshi Temple Society McLean Road, Pearland, TX Invites you to participate in the Aadi Sukravara Ashtalakshmi Deepa Pooja 7:00 PM Friday, Aug 14 th, 2015 Please bring your lamp [optional], flowers and prasadam. Other pooja materials will be provided by the Temple Sponsorship $21 For more information please contact Nachal Sethuraman at Sriram at Sasi Pillai or Narayanan at or call the Temple Office at (281) Ext. 100 or110 13

14 Sri Meenakshi Temple Society McLean Road, Pearland, TX Invites you to celebrate AADI POORAM On Sunday, August 16th 2015 at 6 PM Special Abhishekam for Sri Meenakshi and Sri Andal 6:00 PM Abhishekam 7:00 PM Procession of Utsavamurthis 7:45 PM Oonjal Seva 8:30 PM Deeparadhana and Prasadam Sponsorship Abhishekam - $21 Oonjal Seva - $31 For more information please contact Sriram at mksriram.mts@gmail.com or Sasi Pillai nsasipillai@aol.com or Narayanan at socn1@hotmail.com or call the Temple Office at (281) Ext. 100 or110 14

15 Sri Meenakshi Temple Society McLean Road, Pearland, TX Invites you to celebrate VARALAKSHMI VRATHAM On Friday, Aug. 28th 2015 at 7 PM Puja for Utsavamurthi at Ganesh Temple Distribution of sacred thread after the puja Sponsorship - $21 For more information please contact Sriram at mksriram.mts@gmail.com or Sasi Pillai nsasipillai@aol.com or Narayanan at socn1@hotmail.com or call the Temple Office at (281) Ext. 100 or

16 Sri Meenakshi Temple Society McLean Road, Pearland, TX You are invited to perform the annual ritual of Yajurveda Upakarmam (Aavani Avittam) 2015 At Ganesh Temple On Saturday, 29th August :30 AM - 10:00 AM (in batches) 10:00 AM Homam Saivite and Vaishnavite priests are available to guide you You are requested to bring your pancha pathram, udharini, rice, black sesame seed (ellu) and thambalam. Other materials and yajnopaveetham will be provided by the Temple. 10:00 AM Thalai Aavani Avittam Special arrangements are being made for separate special session for brahmacharis performing Thalai avani avittam (First upakarmam after upanayanam). Advance registration required. Sponsorship Upakarma- $10 Thalai Aavani Avittam- $51 For further information please contact Sriram (mksriram.mts@gmail.com) or Sasi Pillai at nsasipillai@aol.com or Narayanan at socn1@hotmail.com or call the temple at , ext. 100 or

17 Sri Meenakshi Temple Society McLean Road, Pearland, TX September Sep Tue 7.00 PM Sankatahara Chathurti, Ganapathi Homam and Abhishekam 4-Sep Fri 7.00 PM Shashti, Subramaniya abhishekam 5-Sep Sat AM Bairavar Abhishekam Gokulashtami/Janmashtami 6-Sep Sun AM 1st Sunday, Venkateswara Abhishekam; Sri Jayanthi 7-Sep Mon 7:00 PM Siva Abhishekam 9-Sep Wed 7.00 PM Ekadasi, Venkateswara Abhishekam 7.00 PM Punarvasu, Ramar Abhishekam 10-Sep Thu 7.00 PM Pradosham, Nandi & Siva Abhishekam,procession after Deeparadana 13-Sep Sun AM Meenakshi Abhishekam 14-Sep Mon 7:00 PM Siva Abhishekam 17-Sep Thu Vinayaka Chaturthi, Ganesh temple Anniversary 19-Sep Sat AM Shashti, Subramaniya abhishekam AM Venkateswara Abhishekam 20-Sep Sun 9.30 AM Vinayaka Chaturthi Celebration 21-Sep Mon 7.00 PM Moolam, Anjaneya Abhishekam 7:00 PM Siva Abhishekam 24-Sep Thu 7.00 PM Ekadasi, Venkateswara Abhishekam 7:00 PM Siva Abhishekam 25-Sep Fri 7.00 PM Pradosham, Nandi& Siva Abhishekam,procession after Deeparadana 26-Sep Sat 9.30 AM Bhajagovindam, Venkateswara Abhishekam 27-Sep Sun 6.30 PM Satyanaranaya puja 28-Sep Mon 7:00 Siva Abhishekam 29-Sep Mon Mahalayapaksham begins REGULARLY SCHEDULED WEEKLY ABHISHEKAM Sri Ganesha Homam & Abhishekam...All days 7:00 AM Sri Siva (Sundareswara) & Sri Meenakshi Abhishekam...All days 9:00 AM Sri Siva (Sundareswara) Abhishekam...Mondays 7:00 PM Sri Durga Abhishekam...Tuesdays 7:00 PM Sri Padmavathy Abhishekam...Fridays 6:30 PM Sri Meenakshi Abhishekam & Lalitha Sahasranamavali...Fridays 7:00 PM Last Friday of the month Lalitha Sahasranamavali & Shodasa Upacharam Sri Navagraha Abhishekam...Saturdays 11:00 AM Sri Ayyappa Abhishekam...Saturdays 10:00 AM Sri Kanyaka Parameswari Abhishekam...Last Friday of the Month 7:00 PM Sri Meenakshi Abhishekam...Second Sunday of the Month 11:00 AM Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam...First Sunday of the Month 10:30 AM Puja sponsorships can be prepaid using your credit card at 17

18 Sri Meenakshi Temple Society McLean Road, Pearland, TX Invites you to celebrate Gokulashtami and Sri Jayanthi GOKULASHTAMI Saturday, September 5 th, 2015 at 10 AM Uriaddi for Children at 10:30 AM at Raja Gopuram Children s Fancy Dress Display 11 AM at Ganesh Temple SRI JAYANTHI Sunday, September 6 th, 2015 at 10 AM Abhishekam for Sri Krishna Puja for Utsavamurthy Sponsorship for each event $21 For more information please contact Sriram at mksriram.mts@gmail.com or Sasi Pillai nsasipillai@aol.com or Narayanan at socn1@hotmail.com For Children s Fancy Dress contact Mala Gopal at gopal.mala@gmail.com or call the Temple Office at (281) Ext. 100 or

19 Shri Ganapatyatharvashirsha-Upanishad (Shri Ganeshatharvashirsham) Chittoor K. Ramachandran Sri Ganesha is the highly regarded deity, irrespective of the existence of numerous sects of Hindus worshipping different forms of Almighty. Among some sects of Hindus (Ganapatyas), Sri Ganesha is regarded as Ultimate Brahman (Supreme divinity) containing all other divine forms within Himself. Some of the basic concepts of this sect can be found in the Ganapathi Upanishad where Lord Ganesha is extolled as the creator, preserver and destroyer. Ganapatyatharvashirsha (गणपत यर थवश र थ) is a frequently recited Sanskrit text in rituals during Ganesha pooja. In numerous commentaries, Vedic scholars have indicated that this highly regarded compilation might have been added to the category of other known Upanishads circa AD. Although it is not considered as a chant, Ganapatyatharvashirsha is a prayer highly rich in meaning that extols Sri Ganesha as the Ultimate Brahman. Significance of the array of brief passages in this script may be of interest to the devotees. Each section in Ganapatyatharvashirsha reveals the magnificence of Sri Ganesha. The sage who received this mantra is mentioned to be Ganaka Rishi. Respect is due to all the great souls who are responsible in enriching us with the divine message contained in this text from the past, mostly through oral traditions. Opening line of this text is Shanti Padha, that is embedded in Atharva Veda: ॐ भ द र कर ण भभ श र य म द व भ द र प श य म क षभभ ययज त स थ र रङ तष व स त न भभ व यश म द वह त यद य व स त न इन दद रर व द धश र व व स त न प ष वव श वव द व स त न त र क षयय अरर षटन भम व स त नर ब पतत दयध त ॐ श सन दत श सन दत श सन दत Aum! O Gods, May we hear only the auspicious with our ears. May we see only the auspicious with our eyes. Praising you with bodies having strong limbs, may we seek the divine grace and accept the noble order throughout our God-given span of life The main body of the passage begins with Aum Namaste Ganapathaye. You are the actual Brahma Tattvam. Only with YOUR blessing any action occurs. Only YOU are the ONE who holds us up. Only YOU remove obstacles and ignorance. YOU are the Brahman, the ultimate divine power. YOU are the soul that is part of everything. I surrender to YOU. The passage continues to reveal many attributes of Sri Ganesha in a description of His Swaroopa tattwa. You are the speaker. You are the listener. You are the giver. You are the sustainer. I am your disciple. You protect me in all directions. You are full of perfect knowledge of truth and awareness. You are full of bliss and pure consciousness. You are the truth, consciousness and bliss. You are the absolute awareness. You are full of supreme wisdom and knowledge. You are the earth, water, fire, air, and space. You are the root foundation of speech. You are beyond the three aspects of time: past, present and future. You are eternally established in the muladhara chakra. You have three shaktis: action, knowledge, and will. 19

20 The next two sections list Ganesha Mantra in which the Bija mantra and Ganesha Gayatri are included along with the embedded instruction for the correct pronunciation of Bija mantra, which is also known as the sacred Ganesha Vidya, i.e. the mantra which reveals the sacred form of Sri Ganesha, Ganesha Gayatri*. The passage continues to Ganesha Roopa, in which the majestic physical look of Sri Ganesha is described and appreciated. Ashta Nama Ganapati Mantra is the concluding line which is also the salutation. Namo Vrata Pataye, Namo Ganapataye Namah Pramatha Patye, Namste astu Lambodaraya Ekadantaya, Vighna Nashine Shiv Sutaya, Sri Varada Murtaye Namo Namah The section of phalashruthi in the latter section describes the greatness and the benefits of reciting Ganapatyatharvashirsha with devotion. There exists an established practice of reciting Ganapatyatharvashirsha in many rituals like abhishekam of the idol, homam (havan or yajna) and in Ganesha poojavidhanam. This passage is also the source for many brief sets of mantras on Sri Ganesha. For example Ashta nama Ganapati mantra is a commonly used aradhana mantra which condenses many attributes of Sri Ganesha. Similar to shlokas, memorizing and oral utterance of this Upanishad is also a common practice on certain special days in Hindu families. One of the recurring auspicious days dedicated to Sri Ganesha is Sankatahara Chathurthi (also known as Sankashti Chaturthi (स कषट चतथ ). This spiritually beneficial day is observed in every lunar month of Hindu calendar on the fourth day of Krishna Paksha (dark lunar phase or the waning phase). On this day, in accordance with tradition, dedicated devotees observe fast and participate in Ganapathi homam in which Ganapatyatharvashirsha is employed in various format along with several other Veda mantras. Ganapatyatharvashirsha helps us to have a glimpse at the wealth of knowledge and spirituality that has been passed along to us to enrich our lives. *Eka Dantaya Vidmahe Vakra tundaya Dhimahi Tanno danti Prachodayat (I meditate on that one-tusked God; give me higher intellect; may He illuminate my mind) REF: Ganapati-atharvshirsha.htm 20

21 Sri Meenakshi Temple Society McLean Road, Pearland, TX Invites you to participate in the Vinayaka Chathurthi Celebrations with 108 Kalasa Abhishekam Visarjan of Clay Ganesha in the Temple Pond & Sri Ganesh Temple 36th Anniversary Celebration On Thursday, September 17 & On Sunday, September 20, 2015 Thursday September 17 Program 6pm- 8pm Sankalpam, Vigneswara Pooja, Punyavachanam NavaKalasa Pooja, Special Butter Alankaram, Homam, Purnahuti, Utsava Murthi Procession in Mooshika Vahana around the Main Temple Sunday, September 20, AM to 11:00 AM 8:30 AM Abhishekam for Mahaganapathi 108 Kalasa Pooja,, Homam, Puranhuti- Rathotsavam - Utsava Murthi around the Main Temple Prasadam following the final Deepaaradhana VISARJAN 3.30 PM 6:00 PM Sankalpam, Ganapathi Pooja & Punyavachanam Ganapathi Avahanam, Puspha Pooja, Pathra Pooja Ashtothra pooja and Story, Aarthi and Mantrapuspham 6.00 PM Immersion of Ganesha in the Temple Pond & Theertha Prasadam Grand Sponsorship for all events on Thursday & Sunday plus Annadhanam $101 Thursday Event Navakalasa Pooja - $31 Sunday all Events including Visarjan - $51; 108 kalasa Pooja - $31 Visarjan Sponsorship- 31$ - Clay Ganesha- 10$ for $31 Visarjan sponsors For more information please contact Murali Ravoori at mravoori@gmail.com or S. Narayanan at socn1@hotmail.com or Padma Golla at Padma.Golla@hp.com 21

22 Sri Meenakshi Temple Society McLean Road, Pearland, TX Celebrates Bhajagovindam SRI VENKATESWARA KALYANA MAHOTSAVAM Saturday, September 26, :00 am 9:00 am Suprabatham, Thirupallandu, Thirupalliyezuchi, Thirupavai 9:00 am Seervarisai from Ganesh Temple At the Kalyana Mandapam 9:30 am 11:00 am Navakalasa Abhishekam, Alankaram, Archanai 11:00 am 12:30 pm Kalyana Utsavam Pm - Rathotsavam Lunch at the youth center 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm OonjalSeva at the main temple Sponsorship Kalyanam $31, Kanyadhanam $51, both $81,OonjalSeva $31 Grand Sponsor $101 Donations for Annadhanam most welcome For further information please contact Sasidharan Pillai at nsasipillai@aol.com, S.Narayanan at socn1@hotmail.com, Sriram at mksriram.mts@gmail.com or Vaduganathan at pvnathan2008@gmail.com at mksriram.mts@gmail.com or Vaduganathan at pvnathan2008@gmail.com 22

23 Miracles that are Natural at Sri Meenakshi Temple of Pearland (2nd in Series) - Dr. Bala N. Aiyer Introduction: In the Holy grounds of Hindu Temples Miracles appear as natural events. People seldom consider them as super-natural but as the great gift of the powers of the Supreme. Several Temples are known for these occurrences. Many of us have a question in our mind that if there is only one Paramathma in all the manifestations that they pray in several temples in various forms, if they are all one and the same. Here, the Hindu recognizes well that each one of the image and form has the individuality and separate form along with the Supreme Paramathma. Such miracles they see again establish that each and every one of the manifestations is real and true. In the prior issue we covered two of the Miracles experienced at Sri Meenakshi Temple. This issue continues the series with more Miracles shared by our devotees. Miracle #3: During the same time, in the summer of 1982, our chief priest Sri Thanga Bhattar came from Madurai to perform the main rituals of Kumbhabishekam and pooja for the inauguration. The Air-India flight from Bombay [Mumbai] crashed shortly after take-off and fell at the beach, partly in the ocean. Few people lost their lives, but miraculously, Sri Thanga Bhattar, Sri S. Narayanan, [our current vice-chairman of MTS] and few others who were coming to Houston for the Temple event survived unhurt. Sri Thanga Bhattar had checked in two suit cases as his luggage, one with his personal effects and other with materials and clothes for the Prathishta rituals at the Temple. When he walked along the wing and stepped down to the knee deep ocean water, he noted something hitting his leg and found that it was the suitcase containing the Temple pooja materials. Most of these items were specially sent by Madurai Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Devasthanam for use in our Temple Kumbhabishekam ceremonies. In the middle of all the restrictions due to police investigations for the accident, he was permitted to carry this one box and catch the next flight and reach Houston without much delay to participate in the inauguration pooja rituals for Kumbabhishekam. Even after a major airlines disaster, Sri Meenakshi protected our priest, our members and the things he brought for our Temple inauguration rituals. Details of this incidence are written as a miracle of 20th Century on the walls of Sri Meenakshi Sri Meenakshi-Sundareswara Temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Miracle #4: [Thunder storm and dark cloud on Kumbhabishekam day, July 1982]. During the first week of July 1982, daily Homam (Havan) and prana Prathishta rituals were being conducted in the MTS grounds prior to Kumbhbishekam. Houston area is well known for severe Thunderstorm and electrical storms 23

24 in addition to hurricanes usually during fall season from September till December. Usually, July and August are very hot and dry summertime. Two days prior to the last day of festivities, a sudden bust of heavy rain with hurricane force wind was seen in the area. Several of the tents collapsed and the planned Homam for Sri Subrahmanya had to be cancelled. Our visiting priests explained this as a demonstration of the arrival the Forces of Shakthi as Energy in the prathishta of Sri Meenakshi. The area received water more than its share that week and there was water in between the areas where they had paved pathways. Everyone was worried about this unpredictable weather and as to how it will affect the celebrations of Inauguration that needed to be done inside the Temple and also in the open on the top of each Sanctum towers. On the morning of Kumbhabishekam day, the priests and dignitaries arrived along with all devotees, about an estimated over 10,000 people from all over the nation and many from India, rived at the Temple grounds. To our great surprise, there was bright sunshine along with a reasonably cool weather due to the rains in the previous two days. Minutes before the time of pouring water and performing the rituals on the top of the Temple sanctum towers, all of us witnessed a large black cloud just above the Temple land, very much to protect us, but without the rain. This made us all to look-up to witness the events comfortably under the shade. Miracle #5: [Hurricane Gilbert caused some damages to mobile homes in 1984] Shortly after the main temple inauguration, the old Sri Ganesh Temple had a temporary covered area inform along with a mobile home. In 1984, a severe hurricane Gilbert passed through the Temple land exactly in an angle that did not affect the main Temple structure of the Ganesh temple but blew away the entire Mobile home and the hall in front of the Ganesh Temple. It looked like Sri Ganesha asked for new structures in place of the temporary ones, just like Siva and Meenakshi. That is what Sri Ganesha wanted and what He needed was indicated to us. The new Ganesh Temple complex was built that year with a large hall in front and a dining hall with kitchen and restroom facilities that were very useful as the Ganesh Temple Facilities Center for many years. In the past 30 years or more, we have witnessed many occasions when there has been very severe weather conditions with thunderstorm or rain with cold weather for several days in Houston area. But just at the time of any major festival the weather system will clear and the devotees were blessed with a warm and dry sunshine for them to enjoy the day at the temple. We have observed that even hurricanes that threatened the area slowly but surely moved away from the Pearland saving the temple properties from any major damages. The second Kumbhabishekam in1995 and also the Kumbhabishekam day for the new granite Temple for Sri Ganesha in 2013 witnessed such a miracle. 24

25 Sri Meenakshi Temple Society McLean Road, Pearland, TX Phone: Ext. 100 (or) 110 Annual Puja Sponsorship Form For more information please contact the Temple Office at ext. 100, 110 If you have any questions, comments or need more information please do not hesitate to contact S. socn1@hotmail.com Sriram at mksriram.mts@gmail.com or Sasidharan nsasipillai@aol.com 25

26 Kalyana Mandapam (KM), Youth Center (YC) and Visitors Center (VC) at MTS Both KM and YC are spacious facilities for events like Engagements, Weddings, Receptions, etc. Each facility can accommodate more than 400 people VC can accommodate up to 125 people for small events Have over 1200 chairs, 50 round tables, and more than 30 rectangular (6 x 2 ) tables Use the MTS facilities (KM, YC and the newly opened Visitor Center) for all of your needs throughout the year Recommend to your friends and colleagues about the facilities and support our Temple For Reservations Contact: Mr. Venkatachalam at or venkatk2005@yahoo.com Alternatively: Send to temple@meenakshi.org or chkarunakar@yahoo.com (Karunakar Chowdavarapu) and we will get back to you within 24 hours Kalayana Mandapam Youth Center Banquet Hall 26

27 RAHUKALAM DAY YAMAGANDAM 4:30 PM 6:00 PM Sun 12 NOON 1:30 PM 7:30 AM 9:00 AM Mon 10:30 AM 12 NOON 3:00 PM 4:30 PM Tue 9:00 AM 10:30 AM 12 NOON 1:30 PM Wed 7:30 AM 9:00 AM 1:30 PM 3:00 PM Thu 6:00 AM 7:30 AM 10:30 AM 12 NOON Fri 3:00 PM 4:30 PM 9:00 AM 10:30 AM Sat 1:30 PM 3:00 PM Temple Hours Monday through Thursday: 8:30 AM to 12 Noon and 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM Friday: 8:30 AM to 12 Noon and 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM Weekends and National Holidays: 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM Listen to MTS Radio Listen to MTS Radio every Sunday FM or FM (HD 3) in Houston Listen online Broadcast Every Sunday from AM to NEW RADIO ON THE GO - ON YOUR PHONE Download Apps for free on your iphone- Search KBREEZE Download Apps for free on your android phone -Search KBREEZE Sri Meenakshi Temple Telephone Numbers Main Temple (Best time to call: 9 am-12 noon and 5 pm-8 pm Main Temple , 110 Ganesh Temple Facility Center Library (During Library hours) Kalyana Mantapam Temple Kitchen MTS FAX Staff Sri Vatsa Kumar (Executive Officer) Sri K. Venkatachalam (Administrator) Sri Manickasundaram Bhattar (Priest) Sri Kalyana Sundaram (Priest) Sri R.K.E. Parameswaran (Priest) Sri Sreedharan Raghavan (Priest) Sri Pawankumar Sribhashyam (Priest) Sri Sriman Narayana Charyalu Rompicherla (Priest) Temple Times Published by MTS Public Relations and Publicity Committee

28 Temple Times is a publication of Sri Meenakshi Temple McLean Road Pearland, TX Bhagavathi Seva NON PROFIT ORG. U. S POSTAGE PAID Pearland, TX PERMIT NO. 79