· PDF file3rd Quarter 2016 July, August, September ... Sri Lalitha Sahasranama Archana Sri Lalitha Trisathi Archana

1

TEMPLE TIMES--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3rd Quarter 2016 July, August, September--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Quarterly Publication of

Sri Meenakshi Temple Society Pearland, Texas

2

Corner Temples Renovation Project (CTRP)Sockalingam Narayanan, MTS Chairman

Sri Meenakshi Temple Society Senior members and General Body has overwhelmingly approved the Corner Temples Renovation Project (CTRP) on the meeting held on April 10th, 2016. This project is the third phase of the religious area renovation of our Temple and builds on the earlier phases, Ganesh Temple Renovation Project (GTRP, Phase-I) and Main Temple Renovation Project (MTRP, Phase-II)

CTRP completes the original master plan drawn by our founders of MTS during 1970’s.This project expands all four Corner Temples to accommodate more devotees and connects all the four mandapams and the Main Temple. We will be installing Statues of Hindu Saints, Nayanmargal and Alwargal along the walls of the South and the North connection in a manner that is traditional in grand temples recognizing the important role of these Saints which provides inspiration for all devotees in their life journey. When the project is completed when you enter the Main Temple complex you can visit all the deities in different Sannadhis by walking underneath the covered structure which is very useful for children and senior citizens.

CTRP Aarambha (inauguration) Puja was done on June 5th, 2016. The Puja commenced with the Homam and Abhishekam for Prasanna Ganapathi. Puja for all the Utsava Murthis followed, starting from Maha Ganapathi, Ayyappa, Murugan, Ramar Parivar, Anjaneya, Radha Krishna, Durga, Jyothi, Kannika Parameswari and Nataraja with individual sankalpam for all the families. Devotees got the sanctified brick from the priest to carry to the corner Temple of their choice. Utsava Murthis procession was a beautiful sight to watch. With Chendamela in the front, the devotees followed the procession. All the devotees went to the Main Temple and got Anugnai from Siva, Meenakshi, Venkateswara and Padmavathi.

3

On this day the beautiful CTRP model was released at the Main temple. The model was so nice the devotees surrounded it very quickly to appreciate the beauty of the CTRP project. Thanks to our Fundraising team, our pledge and donation total has exceeded $350,000 in less than fifty days from the start which is a strong support from our devotees for the CTRP project. The total estimated cost for the project is $750,000. We request your generous donation to complete the project. Please mark your calendar for our Annual Fundraising Dinner on Sunday August 28, 2016. We pray the almighty for a successful completion of the CTRP Project.

4

5

Sri Meenakshi Temple Society17130 McLean Road, Pearland, TX 77584

Cordially invites you to participate in

Bhagavathi Sevaon

Friday, July 22nd 2016 at 7:00 PM

At Ayyappa SannidhiProgram

Deepa PoojaSri Lalitha Sahasranama Archana

Sri Lalitha Trisathi ArchanaSoundarya Lahari

DeeparadhanaSponsorship $21

For further details please contact:Padmini at prn2635gmail.com or

Sheila at [email protected] orCall Temple 281-489-0358 Ext. 100 or 110

mailto:[email protected]

66


Invites you to participate in the

Aani Thirumanjanam(Abhishekam for Sri Nataraja)

July 10th Sunday 2016 at 10:00 AM

At Natarajar SannidhiAbhishekam, Alankaram, Deeparadhana,

Upacharam

Sponsorship $21

For more information please contact: Padmini at prn2635gmail.com or



7



Aadi SukravaraAshtalakshmi Deepa Pooja

on Friday 29th July at 7:00 pmAt the Main Temple

Sankalpam, Punyahavachanam, Kalasa Puja, Ashtalakshmi Archana, Mantrapushpam, Aarathi,

Theertha prasadam

Please bring your lamp [optional], flowers and prasadam. Other pooja materials will be provided by

the Temple

Sponsorship $21




8


Invites you to celebrate

AADI POORAMon Friday, August 5th 2016 at 6:30 PM

Special Abhishekam for

Sri Meenakshi and Sri Andal

6:30 PM Abhishekam Procession of Utsavamurthis

Oonjal SevaDeeparadhana and Prasadam

Sponsorship

Abhishekam - $21Oonjal Seva - $31




9



VARALAKSHMI VRATHAMon Friday, Aug. 12th 2016 at 7:00 PM

At Main Temple:

Sankalpam, Punyahavachanam, Kalasa Puja,Mahalakshmi Sahasra Nama Archana,

Mantrapushpam, Aarathi, Theertha prasadam

Distribution of sacred thread after the puja

Sponsorship - $21For more information please contact:

Padmini at prn2635gmail.com orSheila at [email protected] or

Call Temple 281-489-0358 Ext. 100 or 110


10



Gokulashtami and Sri Jayanthi

GOKULASHTAMIThursday, August 25th 2016 at 7 PM

Utsava Murthy Abhishekam at Main Temple

SRI JAYANTHIFriday, August 26th, 2016 at 7 PMPuja for Utsava Murthy at Main Temple

GOKULASHTAMI CELEBRATIONSSaturday, August 27th, 2016 at 10:30 AM

Uriyadi for Children at 10:30 AM at Raja GopuramChildren’s Fancy Dress Display 11 AM at Ganesh Temple

Sponsorship for each event $21

For more information please contact:Padmini at [email protected] or Sheila at [email protected]

For Children’s Fancy Dress contact: Mala Gopal at [email protected]

or call the Temple Office at (281) 489-0358 Ext. 100 or 110


11


You are invited to perform the annual ritual of

Yajurveda & Rigveda Upakarmam (Aavani Avittam) 2016

At Ganesh Templeon Thursday 18th August 2016

6:30 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 AvittamSpecial arrangements are being made for separate special session

for brahmacharis performing Thalai avani avittam (First upakarmam after upanayanam). Advance registration required.

SponsorshipUpakarma- $10

Thalai Aavani Avittam- $51

For further information please contact Padmini at [email protected] or Sheila at [email protected]

or the Temple at 281-489-0358 Ext. 100 or 110



12



Vinayaka Chathurthi Celebrations With 108 Kalasa Abhishekam

Visarjan of Clay Ganesha in the Temple Pond &Sri Ganesh Temple 37th Anniversary Celebration

on Monday, September 5th & on Sunday 11th, September 2016

Monday September 5th 2016 Program 6pm- 8pm Sankalpam, Vigneswara Pooja, Punyagavachanam

Nava Kalasa Pooja, Special Butter Alankaram, Homam, Purnahuti

Sunday, September 11th, 2016, Program 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM8:30 AM Abhishekam for Mahaganapathi

108 Kalasa Pooja, Homam, Puranhuti

VISARJAN 3:30 PM – 6:00 PMSankalpam, Ganapathi Pooja & Punyagavachanam

Ganapathi Avahanam, Pushpa Pooja, Pathra PoojaAshtothra pooja and Story, Aarthi and Mantrapushpam

6.00 PM Immersion of Ganesha in the Temple Pond & Theertha Prasadam

Grand Sponsorship for all eventson Thursday & Sunday plus Annadhanam $101

Thursday Event Navakalasa Pooja - $31Sunday all Events including Visarjan - $51; 108 Kalasa Pooja - $31

Visarjan Sponsorship- $31 - Clay Ganesha- $10 for Visarjan sponsors

For more information please contact Padmini at [email protected] or Sheila at [email protected]

or you may call Temple at 281-489-0358 Extn. 100 or 110



13

Culture through religionBy Adhi Gopal and Akilan Gopal

Customs and traditions have always been an important part of every religion. Hinduism holds the reign of being the world’s oldest living religion as it boasts 5,000 years in existence. As any religion forms, many customs and traditions are created and kept to incorporate the religion into society. Hinduism, as a result, has accumulated an enormous sum of customs, which paint the rich cultural background in India. When people think of either Christianity, Buddhism, or Islam, many different countries may come to mind. But when people think of Hinduism, they often strongly associate it with India. Distinct from the culture of most other countries, the culture of India is deeply intertwined with the religious practices and customs of a religion– Hinduism. Noteworthy examples of the Hindu religion influencing Indian culture are the caste system, Dowry system, Indian national celebrations, and classical arts.

In Hindu tradition, a varna is one of the four strata of society. The varna system is extensively discussed in the Dharmasastras, ancient Hindu literature, and classified all humankind into four varnas: 1) the Brahmins (priests, scholars and teachers), 2) the Kshatriyas (rulers, warriors and administrators), the Vaishyas (cattle herders, agriculturists, artisans, and merchants), the Shudras (laborers and service providers). Those who fall out of this system are ostracized as untouchables and considered outside the varna system, effectively unfit to practice Hinduism. Although the discussion of varna, as well as untouchables, in these texts do not resemble the modern era caste system in India, the similarities are nonetheless striking and have cultural implications as well. The caste system, with Hindu origins, is used as the basis of reservation, a quota-based affirmative action for education, scholarship, and jobs. In addition to influencing social mobility of Indians, caste also plays an important role in marriage compatibility in arranged marriages. Even the dowry system, which refers to the valued goods the bride’s family gives to the bridegroom’s family as a marriage condition, evolved in the Vedic period and was initially followed by the upper castes to benefit the bride, who was unable to inherit property under Hindu law. The origins of both the caste system and the Dowry system are found within the Hindu religion and have progressed and morphed into quintessential cultural practices within India.

In many ways, it becomes difficult to separate culture from religion. For example, is Diwali considered a religious practice or a cultural activity? What about Holi? Separating the two is difficult since these practices are so deeply connected with both the culture of India and the Hindu religion. Diwali, the festival of lights, is commonly celebrated by Indians as a cultural tradition signifying the victory of light over darkness, or good over evil. Today, Diwali may be thought of as a cultural practice, but its historical roots reveal a different story. During the Diwali period, Indians prayed to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, for prosperity and light for an excellent upcoming year;

14

they also prayed to Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, to aid them towards a prosperous future. While prayer is still an essential aspect of Diwali, the cultural celebration and festivities are an evolution from its origins.

Holi, like Diwali, is another cultural celebration rooted in religion. Holi, the festival of colors, is a celebration honoring the destruction of internal evil. Today, people celebrate Holi by spraying colors, dancing, and eating festival delicacies. But there is much more to Holi than camaraderie. There is a symbolic legend to explain why Holi is celebrated specifically as a festival of colors. The word “Holi” originates from “Holika”, the evil sister of the demon king Hiranyakashipu. The King of Multan, Hiranyakashipu, thought of himself as a god and demanded that only he be worshipped. After a series of events, Lord Vishnu appeared as Lord Narasimha and killed Hiranyakashipu in a bonfire which now symbolizes victory of good over evil. As the fire cooled down, people applied the ash to their foreheads which eventually became the colored powder used to celebrate Holi. Diwali and Holi are just a few examples of Indian national celebrations with both cultural and religious origins.

Indian classical arts, including Bharata Natyam and Carnatic music, tie into the rich culture of India formed through religion. Bharata Natyam is a form of classical dance that originated in the temples of Tamil Nadu. Bharata Natyam is considered to be a fire dance in religious texts. It is one of the five major styles that also include Odissi (element of water), Kuchipudi (element of earth), Mohinattam (element of air), and Kathakali (element of sky). Bharata Natyam is an art form that was performed by Nataraja, a form of Lord Shiva, the Hindu yogi and divine purveyor for the destruction of evil. This dance form, originally a spiritually symbolic one, has commonly been diffused throughout India and Hindu culture, becoming one of the most popular Indian dances. It is now considered the mother art, inspiring art forms such as sculpture, painting, and icon-making within India.

Carnatic music, also a divine art, is a system of music commonly associated with southern India originating from the Devas and Devis (Hindu gods and goddesses). References to Indian classical music are made in many ancient Hindu texts such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Nowadays, Carnatic music is intertwined with the culture of India. It enriches the lives of many Indians and is praised as one of the most complete systems of music in the world, influencing new art forms such as Hindustani, Western Classical, and Indian folk.

So many crucial aspects of Indian culture have formed as a result of religion, whether through societal aspects such as the Vedic caste system and the Dowry system, through joyful celebrations such as Diwali and Holi, or through cultural art forms such as Bharata Natyam and Carnatic music. All in all, the rich and vibrant culture of India has been and will continue to be connected with the Hindu religion.

15


CelebratesBhajagovindam

SRI VENKATESWARA KALYANA MAHOTSAVAMSunday, September 25, 2016

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Suprabatham, Thirupallandu, Thirupalliyezuchi, Thirupavai

9:00 AM Seervarisai from Ganesh Temple

At the Kalyana Mandapam9:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Navakalasa Abhishekam,

Alankaram, Archanai11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Kalyana Utsavam

12:30 PM - RathotsavamLunch at the Youth Center

2:30 PM to 4:30 PM: OonjalSeva at the Main Temple

SponsorshipKalyanam $31, Kanyadhanam $51, both $81, Oonjal Seva $31,

Grand Sponsor $101. Donations for Annadhanam welcome

For further information please contact: Padmini at [email protected]

or Sheila at [email protected] or Call Temple 281-489-0358 Ext. 100 or 110



16

Bhaja Govindam – the essence of VedantamCompiled by M.K. Sriram

This wonderful poem was composed by Jagadguru Shankara Bhagavadpada (Adi Shankara). Though sung as a bhajan, it is a completely no nonsense and even hard hitting statement of the facts of life. It contains the essence of Vedanta and implores the man to think of eternal questions like: Why am I here in this life? Why am I amassing wealth? Why I have no peace? What is the Truth? What is the purpose of life? The person thus awakened gets set on a path to reach the Supreme. Below are some of the vibrant verses from this glorious composition.

bhaja gOvindaM bhaja gOvindaM, gOvindaM bhaja mooDhamatE | saMpraaptE sannihitE kale, nahi nahi rakShati DukrinkaraNE || 1 ||

Adore the Lord, adore the Lord, adore the Lord, O fool! When the appointed time (for departure) comes, the repetition of grammatical rules will not, indeed, save you. No matter how good a person knows theory, it is not going to help him unless he practices it.

mooDha jaheehi dhanaagamatRuShNaaM, kuru sadbuddhim manasi vitRuShNaam | yallabhasE nija karmOpaattaM. vittaM tEna vinOdaya chittam || 2 ||

O fool! Do not just be focused on the accumulation of wealth; create in the mind, thoughts about Reality, devoid of passion. Be practical, don’t be avaricious, work hard and be happy with what you achieve.

naaree stanabhara naabheedESaM, dRuShTvaa maa gaa mOhaavESam, EtanmaaMsa vasaadi vikaaraM, manasi vichintayaa vaaraM vaaram || 3 || Seeing the seductive female form, do not fall prey to frenzied delusion. That (fe-male form) is (but) a modification of flesh and fat. Know that all this is just Maya. Don’t lose sight of your goal to reach God.

naLinee daLagata jalamati taraLaM, tadvajjeevita matiSaya chapalam | viddhi vyaadhyabhimaana grastaM, lOkaM SOkahataM cha samastam || 4 ||

The water on the lotus-leaf is very unsteady; so also is life extremely unstable. Know that the entire world is devoured by disease and conceit, and smitten with sorrow. We never know what is going to happen the next moment, so be humble.

y a a v a d -v i t t O p a a r j a n a s a kta H , ta a v a n - n i j a p a r i v a a r O r a kta H | paSchaajjeevati jarjara dEhE, vaartaaM kOpi na pRucChati gEhE || 5 ||

As long as you have the ability to earn money, so long will your dependents be attached to you. After that, when you live with an infirm body no one in is world would even speak to you a word. This is a reality that you must learn to accept. This is the way of the world.

s a t s a n g a t v E n i s s a n g a t v a M , n i s s a n g a t v E n i r m O h a t v a m | nirmOhatvE niSchalatattvaM, niSchalatattvE jeevanmuktiH || 6 ||

Through the company of the good, there arises non-attachment; through non-

17

attachment, there arises freedom from delusion; through delusionless-ness, there arises steadfastness; through steadfastness, there arises liberation in life.

maa kuru dhanajana yauvana garvaM, harati nimEShaat-kaalaH sarvam | maayaamayamidam-akhilaM hitvaa, brahmapadaM tvaM praviSa viditvaa || 7 |

Do not be proud of wealth, kindred, and youth; Time takes away all these in a moment. Leaving aside this entire (world) which is of the nature of an illusion, and knowing the state of Brahman, enter into it.

jaTilO muNDee lunjita kESaH, kaaShaayaanbara bahukRuta vEShaH | paSyannapi cha na paSyati mooDhaH, udara nimittaM bahukRuta vEShaH || 8 ||

The ascetic with matted lock, the one with his head shaven, the one with hairs pulled out one by one, the one who disguises himself variously with the ochre-colored robes - such a one is a fool who, though seeing, does not see. Indeed, this varied disguise is for the sake of the belly.

bhagavadgeetaa kinchidadheetaa, gangaa jalalava kaNikaa peetaa | sakRudapi yEna muraaree samarchaa, kriyatE tasya yamEna na charchaa || 9 ||

For him, who has studied the Bhagavad Gita even a little, who has drunk a drop of the Ganga-water, and who has performed the worship of the Destroyer of the demon Mura at least once, there is no fear of Yama (the lord of death).

punarapi jananaM punarapi maraNaM, punarapi jananee jaTharE Sayanam | iha saMsaarE bahu dustaarE, kRupayaapaarE paahi muraarE || 10 ||

Repeated birth, repeated death, and repeated abode in mother’s womb - this cycli-cal process and bondage is extensive and difficult to cross; Save me, O Destroyer of Mura, through your grace!

gEyaM geetaa naama sahasraM, dhyEyaM Sreepati roopam-ajasram | nEyaM sajjana sangE chittaM, dEyaM deenajanaaya cha vittam || 11 ||

The Bhagavadgita and the Vishnu Sahasranama should be sung; the form of the Lord of Lakshmi (Vishnu) should always be meditated upon; the mind should be led to the company of the good; and wealth should be distributed among the needy and the unfortunate.

arthamanarthaM bhaavaya nityaM, naasti tataH sukha lESaH satyam | putraadapi dhanabhaajaaM bheetiH, sarvatraiShaa vihitaa reetiH || 12||

`Wealth beyond your need is no good’; thus reflect always; there is not the least happiness therefrom; this is the truth. For the wealthy, there is fear even from a son; history proves this.

guru charaNaambhuja nirbharabhaktaH, saMsaaraad-achiraad-bhava muktaH | sEndiya maanasa niyamaadEvaM, drakShyasi nija hRudayasthaM dEvam || 13 ||

Being devoted completely to the lotus-feet of the Guru (Master), become released soon from the trans-migratory process. Thus, through the discipline of sense and mind-control, you will behold the Deity that resides in your heart.

18

ReGUlARly SChedUled Weekly ABhiShekAMSri Ganesha Homam & Abhishekam ..................................................................... All days 7:00 AMSri Siva (Sundareswara) & Sri Meenakshi Abhishekam ........................................ All days 9:00 AMSri Siva (Sundareswara) Abhishekam ..................................................................Mondays 7:00 PMSri Durga Abhishekam ........................................................................................ Tuesdays 7:00 PMSri Padmavathy Abhishekam ................................................................................. Fridays 6:30 PMSri Meenakshi Abhishekam & Lalitha Sahasranamavali ........................................ Fridays 7:00 PM

Last Friday of the month – Lalitha Sahasranamavali & Shodasa UpacharamSri Navagraha Abhishekam ..............................................................................Saturdays 11:00 AMSri Ayyappa Abhishekam .................................................................................Saturdays 10:00 AMSri Kanyaka Parameswari Abhishekam .................................. Last Sunday of the Month 10:00 AMSri Meenakshi Abhishekam ..............................................Second Sunday of the Month 11:00 AMSri Venkateswara Abhishekam...............................................First Sunday of the Month 10:30 AM

July 20161-Jul Fri 7:00 PM Krittikai Sri Subramanya Abhishekam2-Jul Sat 7:00 PM Pradosham Nandi & Siva Abhishekam & Procession 3-Jul Sun 10:00 AM Main Temple Anniversary Nava Kalasa Abhishekam

5-Jul Tue 7:00 PM Punarvasu Sri Ramar Abhishekam8-Jul Fri 7:00 PM Maha Ganapathy Abhishekam

10-Jul Sun 10:00 AM Aani Thirumanjanam Natarajar Abhishekam10-Jul Sun 11:00 AM Meenakshi Abhishekam

10-Jul Sun 11:00 AM Sukla Sashti Sri Subramanya Abhishekam

15-Jul Fri 7:00 PM Ekadasi Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam17-Jul Sun 7:00 PM Pradosham Nandi & Siva Abhishekam & Procession 18-Jul Mon 7:00 PM Mulam Sri Anjaneyar Abhishekam19-Jul Tue 7:00 PM Sathyanarayana Puja21-Jul Thu 7:00 PM Sravanam Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam22-Jul Fri 7:00 PM Bhagavathi Seva23-Jul Sat 7:00 PM Sankatahara Chaturththi Ganapathi Homam & Abhisheham26-Jul Tue 7:00 PM Ashtami Bairavar Abhishekam28-Jul Thu 7:00 PM Krithikai Subramanya Abhishekam29-Jul Fri 7:00 PM Aadi Sukravara Deepa Puja30-Jul Sat 10:30 AM Ekadasi Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam

31-Jul Sun 7:00 PM Pradosham Nandi & Siva Abhishekam & Procession

SPeCiAl eVeNTS3-Jul Sun 10:00 am main Temple anniverSary nava KalaSa abhiSheKam10 Jul Sun 10:00 am aani ThirumanJanam22-Jul Fri 7:00 pm bhagavaThi Seva29-Jul Fri 7:00 pm aadi SuKravara deepa puJa


19

August 20161-Aug Mon 7:00 PM Punarvasu Sri Rama Abhishekam2-Aug Tue 7:00 PM Aadi Perukku5-Aug Fri 7:00 PM Aadi Pooram, Andal Meenakshi Abhishekam/Oonjal seva6-Aug Sat 10:00 AM Maha Ganapathy Abhishekam7-Aug Sun 10:30 AM Venkateswara Abhishekam8-Aug Mon 7:00 PM Sukla Sashti Sri Subramanya Abhishekam12-Aug Fri 7:00 PM Varalakshmi Vratham14-Aug Sun 10:30 AM Ekadasi Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam14-Aug Sun 11:00 AM Meenakshi Abhishekam14-Aug Sun 11:00 AM Mulam Sri Anjaneyar Abhishekam16-Aug Tue 7:00 PM Pradosham Nandi & Siva Abhishekam & Procession17-Aug Wed 7:00 PM Sravanam Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam17-Aug Wed 7:00 PM Sathyanarayana Puja18-Aug Thu 6:30 AM Aavani Avittam, Yajur Upakarmam, Rig Upakarmam.21-Aug Sun 7:00 PM Sankatahara Chaturththi Ganapathi Homam & Abhisheham24-Aug Wed 7:00 PM Krithikai Sri Subramanya Abhishekam25-Aug Thu 7:00 PM Gokulashtami25-Aug Thu 7:00 PM Ashtami Bairavar Abhishekam26-Aug Fri 7:00 PM Sri Jayanthi27-Aug Sat 10:30 AM Gokulashtami Celebration Uriyadi28-Aug Sun 10:30 AM Ekadasi Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam29-Aug Mon 7:00 PM Pradosham Nandi & Siva Abhishekam & Procession29-Aug Mon 7:00 PM Punarvasu Sri Rama Abhishekam




SPeCiAl eVeNTS5-aug Fri 7:00 pm aadi pOOram, andal abhiSheKam/OOnJal Sevai 12-aug Fri 7:00 pm varalaKShmi vraTham18-aug Thu 6:30 am avani aviTTam, yaJur and rig upaKarmam25-aug Thu 7:00 pm gOKulaShTami26-aug Fri 7:00 pm Sri JayanThi27-aug Sun 10:30 am gOKulaShTami CelebraTiOn uriyadi

20

September 20164-Sep Sun 10:30 AM Venkateswara Abhishekam5-Sep Mon 7:00 PM Sri Vinayaka Chathurthi7-Sep Wed 7:00 PM Sukla Sashti Sri Subramanya Abhishekam10-Sep Sat 11:00 AM Mulam Sri Anjaneyar Abhishekam11-Sep Sun 8.30 AM Ganesh Temple Anniversary/108 Kalasa Abhishekam/Rathotsavam11-Sep Sun 11:00 AM Meenakshi Abhishekam12-Sep Mon 7:00 PM Ekadasi Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam13-Sep Tue 7:00 PM Onam, Ayyappa Abhishekam14-Sep Wed 7:00 PM Pradosham Nandi & Siva Abhishekam & Procession14-Sep Wed 7:00 PM Sravanam Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam16-Sep Fri 7:00 PM Sathyanarayana Puja17-Sep Sat 10:30 AM Venkateswara Abhishekam17-Sep Sat Mahalaya Paksham Begins19-Sep Mon 7:00 PM Sankatahara Chaturththi Ganapathi Homam & Abhisheham21-Sep Wed 7:00 PM Krithikai Sri Subramanya Abhishekam23-Sep Fri 7:00 PM Ashtami Bairavar Abhishekam24-Sep Sat 10:30 AM Venkateswara Abhishekam25-Sep Sun 11:00 AM Punarvasu Ramar Abhishekam25-Sep Sun 8:00 AM Sri Venkateswara Kalyanam (Bhajagovindham)26-Sep Mon 7:00 PM Ekadasi Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam28-Sep Wed 7:00 PM Pradosham Nandi & Siva Abhishekam & Procession30-Sep Fri Mahalaya Ammavasai



SPeCiAl eVeNTS11-Sep Sun 8:30 am ganeSh Temple anniverSary13 Sep TueS 7:00 pm Onam, ayyappa abhiSheKam25 Sep Sun 8:00 am bhaJagOvindam, Sri venKaTeSWara Kalyanam


21

MediTATiON ANd iTS PURPOSeSasidharan Pillai

The Supreme purpose meditation is to reach the highest goal of life, the direct perception of the Supreme Being, to attain illumination, the light of God consciousness, which removes all darkness forever, which makes human beings free from all sufferings, bondages, weakness and imperfection. This goal cannot be reached simply by the study of the scriptures, because scriptural knowledge does not reveal God to us. Similarly, philosophical speculation leads us to indirect knowledge of God; it does not reveal God to us. It is the actual perception of God, seeing God directly, that removes from the heart of humanity, the basic ignorance, that primal ignorance from which arises egoism, our deep-seated desire for temporal, and all our weakness. Only the light of God consciousness and nothing else can remove the primal ignorance. The light of God consciousness can be attained only through meditation and by no other means.

When that supreme Being immanent and transcendent. Is realized, is seen, then all knots of the heart are cut as usual, all doubts are dispelled, the deposit of past karma is also eliminated, and man attains freedom in every sense. No other spiritual discipline can lead us to this goal. Moral observation and humanitarian deeds can prepare the mind to a great extent for the practice of meditation, as can many modes of worship. But they cannot lead directly to the realization of God. There are different forms of physical, verbal and mental modes of worship. What is the purpose of these various modes of worship? To bring you close to God, the highest, the best, which is the one ultimate goal of every living being. There is no other spiritual practice, can bring you as close to God as meditation. In deep meditation, this ego becomes merged in God consciousness. Through meditation, you try to lose yourself completely in God. In deep meditation, God alone lives in your consciousness. The gap between worshipper and the worshipped is completely filled. When through deep meditation, the mind becomes completely calm and clear, the light of the supreme Spirit shines through the mind. The mind is completely covered with light and God realization comes.

God is the nearest of all. He is the very self of the universe and innermost self of each and every one of us. Nothing is nearer than God is. When the mind is completely purified through the practice of spiritual disciplines, then the light of the supreme spirit shines through mind. Then comes that intuitive perception which is called the direct experience of God. God is always shining there; nothing but the purification of the mind is necessary. The highest goal of life is to attain liberation (Mukthi).Realization comes the individual consciousness communes with the supreme consciousness. You reach the soul of the universe by reaching

22

your own soul. You contact supreme spirit through spirit. For each and every kind of experience there is a particular instrument. You receive the physical form with the physical eye, You receive the physical sounds through the physical ears, You receive the mental ideas through the mind Similarly, you contact spirit through spirit. This individual consciousness is the instrument by which you attain Supreme consciousness. You have to meditate on God.

We should cultivate devotion to God by various methods of worship. As far as our capacities and conditions of life permit, we should engage in spiritual practices, but unless we can develop some devotion to God, we cannot practice meditation to Him. There must be real interest in God. Our minds get settled upon that in which we are interested. Whether we seek absolute, impersonal Being, or the personal God, the God processed of all blessed qualities, in whatever aspect or form we want to realize God. There are different modes of worship, Physical worship, Verbal worship, and mental worship. Of all the different form of worship verbal worship is especially emphasized as preparatory of the practice of meditation. That is called JAPA, the repeated utterance of some sacred formula, or holy name of God. All the religion follow this practice of Japa. It is very effective. Japa must go with meditation, because there are many obstructions within us. It is not the external obstacles that prevent the mind from being concentrated on God. It is the inner obstructions. Meditation is not just wild imagination. There is great scope in meditation. It is true but not every kind of imagination will help to reach the goal. If a person has any conception, of the highest as the supreme, and if a person can find anything that answers to that conception, he can take ir up a symbol for the practice of meditation.

The purpose of meditation is to relieve of your ego-centeredness and make you God centered. If there is any method curing one of ego-centeredness, it is the God Centeredness. You can become God centered by practicing any one of modes of worship. The more you are interested in God, the more you know your spiritual relationship with the Divine Being. When the mind is purified, there is true insight within us. So there cannot be any difficulty, which we cannot solve. By the practice of meditation, we gain, not only spiritually, but also in a worldly way. It is through the practice of meditation that mind actual realizes God “The Upanishads states” That Supreme Being cannot be seen with the eyes, cannot be expressed with words cannot be touched with the hands, one of these organs of action or the organs of perception or the mind, can comprehend that”. A person must have the right attitude towards the world and life. When the understanding is purified you realize the true purpose of life. When the mind is purified, then a person can effectively practice Meditation.

23

MTS Advisory council CommitteesThe following are the committee coordinators for the 2016-2017 Advisory Council term. Membership committee Coordinator: Raj Mikkilineni Email:[email protected] Trust Fund (MTF) Committee Coordinator: Vairavan Subramanian. Email:[email protected] Committee Coordinator: P. Vaduganathan Email:[email protected] Committee Coordinator: Padma Golla Email:[email protected] Affairs Committee Coordinator: Nat AnnamalaiEmail: [email protected] committee Coordinator: Tupil Narasiman Email: [email protected] and Advisory Committee appointments by the Council. Mr. Vairavan Subramanian was appointed as one of the trustees for the Advisory Council for the 2016-2017 term due to the vacancy created by the death of Mrs. Meena Subramanian.

Mr. Kanakam Babu Inumpudi was appointed as an Executive Director of the MTS Board for the remainder of the 2016-2017 term due to the vacancy created in the board.

MTS Board CommitteesCultural Committee Mala Gopal, Coordinator 281-286-9192

Education/ VHS committee Mahesh Iyer, Cordinator 832-475-1985 Food Committee

Vijaya Rani Chilukuri, Coordinator 713-443-8442 Chitra Kumar Susheela Denduluri Taraka Bodagalla Malar Narayanan Suryakumari Mikkilineni Natch Vadugunathan

mailto:Email%[email protected]






24

Facilities Planning/ Construction committeeAVN Reddy, Coordinator 281-989-8080

Facilities Maintenance and Rentals CommitteeRamachandra Reddy, Coordinator 832-385-9006 Tupil Narasiman Vinod R. Kaila Nalini Kannan

Finance Committee Sasi Pillai, Coordinator 832-552-6585Giyarpuram Prasad Kamala RaghavanKumar Bashyam (Accounts and Budget subcommittee)A. SivaramanSridhar Srinivasan

Infrastructure CommitteeSundar Arun, Coordinator 832-515-0766

Library Committee Somarajan Nair, Coordinator 713-320-9334

Property Maintenance CommitteeRamsunder Ramamurthy, Coordinator 281-804-0619

Public Relations Committee Kamala Raghavan, Coordinator 440-227-4510M.K. Sriram Nachal Sethuraman (Electronics and Web Subcommittee)Dhani Kannan

Religious Activities Committee Dr. Padmini Nathan, Coordinator 713-829-2040Sheila Sriram

Youth committeeChandrakala Gupta, Coordinator 281-851-1205Thangam MuthuswamyVeena Sundar

25

Sri Meenakshi Temple Society17130 McLean Road, Pearland, TX 77584Phone: 281-489-0358 Ext. 100 (or) 110

AnnuAL PujA SPonSoRSHIP FoRM

For more information please contact the Temple Office at 281-489-0358 ext. 100, 110if you have any questions, comments or need more information please do not hesitate to contact

S. Narayanan @ [email protected] Sriram at [email protected] or Sasidharan Pillai @ [email protected]




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 832-725-1805 or [email protected]

Alternatively: Send e-mail to [email protected] or [email protected] (Karunakar Chowdavarapu) and we will get back to you within 24 hours

Kalayana Mandapam Youth Center Banquet Hall

27

Temple hoursMonday through Thursday:

8:30 AM to 12 Noon and 5:00 PM to 8:30 PMFriday:

8:30 AM to 12 Noon and 5:00 PM to 9:00 PMWeekends and National holidays:

8:30 AM to 8:30 PM

Sri Meenakshi Temple Telephone NumbersMAiN TeMPle .................................. 281-489-0358

(Best time to call: 9 am-12 noon and 5 pm-8 pmMain Temple ................................................................ 100, 110Ganesh Temple Facility Center ............................................. 115Library (During Library hours) .............................................. 125Kalyana Mantapam .............................................................. 112Temple Kitchen .................................................................... 227MTS FAX ............................................................... 281-489-3540

STAFFSri Vatsa Kumar (Executive Officer) ...................... 832-689-6448Sri K. Venkatachalam (Administrator) .................. 832-725-1805Sri Manickasundaram Bhattar (Priest) .................. 281-489-0464Sri Kalyana Sundaram (Priest) .............................. 281-692-9815Sri R.K.E. Parameswaran (Priest) .......................... 281-489-0575Sri Sreedharan Raghavan (Priest) ......................... 713-518-1810Sri Pawankumar Sri Bhashyam (Priest) ................. 281-819-7842Sri Sriman Narayana Charyalu Rompicherla (Priest)281-965-9780Sri Balaji Sethuraman (Priest)............................... 832-486-7083

www.emeenakshi.orgTemple Times Published by MTS Public Relations and Publicity Committee

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

Cover Photo: courtesy Srinivasan Sundararajan

Listen to MTS RadioMTS RAdiO PROGRAM every Sunday

2016 New year, New timing, New stationTUNe iNTO RAdiO diAl

1110 AM STATiONFROM -12 Noon to 2 pm

Tune on link from Sri Meenakshi Temple website www.emeenakshi.org listen live - www.sanatanhindu.orglisten to Bhajans: 24/7 online Radio

28

NON

PRO

FIT

ORG

. U

. S P

OST

AGE

PA

IDPE

ARlA

Nd, T

X PE

RM

IT N

O. 7

9

Tem

ple

Tim

es is

a p

ublic

atio

n of

Sri M

eena

kshi

Tem

ple

1713

0 M

cLea

n R

oad

Pear

land

, TX

775

84-4

630

32

Tem

ple

Tim

es is

a P

ublic

atio

n of

Sr

i Mee

naks

hi T

empl

e So

ciety

17

130

McL

ean

Road

, Pe

arla

nd, T

X-77

584-

4630

Lord

Siv

a

Vasa

vi Ja

yant

hi A

lank

aram

Documents

· PDF file3rd Quarter 2016 July, August, September ... Sri Lalitha Sahasranama Archana Sri Lalitha Trisathi Archana