· PDF file4th Quarter 2016 October, November, December ... and Alwargal poster was the ... and the first chairman of MTS history who

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TEMPLE TIMES-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4th Quarter 2016 October, November, December
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Sri Durga Devi
A Quarterly Publication of
Sri Meenakshi Temple Society Pearland, Texas

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MTS CORNER TEMPLE RENOVATION PROJECT
FUND RAISING DINNERThe Corner Temple Renovation Project reached a major milestone on Sunday August 28, 2016 at Sri Meenakshi Temples Youth Center, the home of the annual Gala event. The third quarter typically is one of the busiest quarters in the temple for both the religious and associated activities. All of these events usually draw huge crowds and this year the crowd was even more. The Ganesh Temple Renovation Project was competed in 2014 and the main Temple renovation Project completed in 2015. The Corner Temple Renovation project (CTRP) as the third phase of the religious area upgrade, had been approved in April this year by the MTS Board, Council, General body and the Senior members. Devotees have been highly supportive of this project. MTS annual dinner Samarpanam was a huge success.
Mother Nature showered her blessing in the form of a rain just before starting the Fund raising program. The function started with the invocation prayer by priests Sri Manicka Sundaram Bhattar and Sri Sridhar Raghavan. Then the floor was in the hands of two beautiful energetic emcees, Haripriya and Srindhi. They both were awesome in their roles. With the packed audience we had excellent cultural programs, the beautiful decoration added a magic touch; with the delicious food served completing the trio to make a very special evening for all attendees. The procession of Nayanmargal and Alwargal poster was the highlight and a thing to remember. Chairman Narayanan explained the details of the CTRP at his welcome speech. Tom Reed (Mayor of Pearland), Deputy Councilor (Indian Consulate General) and Mike Clemets (VP Frost bank) were the chief guests of the event.
The program recognized Mr. Lakshmi Narayan Shetty for providing his service through Photographic records to the Temple over many years; this was followed with recognizing the ten year anniversary service of our priests Sri Kalyana Sundaram Gurukkal and Sri Parmeswaran that added the emotional touch to the program. Chairman Narayanan and his wife Malar were the grand sponsors of the event, and the first chairman of MTS history who donated hundred thousand dollars for such event.

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The Board, Council, Fund Raising team and Construction committee were felicitated for their hard work; the details of the construction will be shared in the coming weeks or month. Kamala Raghavan Joint treasurer announced MTS annual scholarship recipients, MTS awarded $10,000 scholarship. The Chief Guests, helped recognize the graduation High School Seniors that were recipients of the annual MTS scholarship award.
The next presentation was the approved conceptual plans for the CTRP with more to come as the approved project proceeds. It was highlighted that the last addition to the temple was made in 2007 and after that, all projects were part of maintenance of the existing structures. The presentation was followed by individual acknowledgement by the FR team members who recognized all the donors at every level. The silent auction was very successful, well-coordinated and helped raise close to $7000. As the event concluded MTS Secretary thanked the participants and each and every one who was part of this event. The audience were happy to have been part of the well-organized and well-disciplined fund raising event. Samarpanam was indeed a great success and moment to remember.
Sasidharan PillaiTreasurer

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Significance of OMArun K. Mukhopadhyay
In Katha Upanishad it is stated that: The goal which the Vedas declare, which all austerities aim at, and which men desire when they lead the life of continence, I will tell you briefly: it is OM. This syllable OM is indeed Brahman. This syllable is the highest. Whosoever knows this syllable obtains all that he desires. This is the best support, the highest support. Whosoever knows this support is adored in the world of Brahma.(Katha Upanishad: 1.2.15-17).
OM has two aspects. First, the greatness of the sound of OM- it is the Universal Sound of the Divine. It purifies the person who chants and the person who hears the chant. Second, the meaning of this Sacred Sound which is produced by a combination of the three letters A, U and M.
The three letters A, U and M represent different states of consciousness, namely the states of wakefulness, dreamless sleep, and dream respectively. In another interpretation, the letters represent creation, preservation and dissolution. God created this sound OM first, before everything else. OM is worshipped as representing God in a personal as well as impersonal way by nearly all followers of Sanatana Dharma tradition. OM is a perfect vehicle for making rapid progress in the spiritual path. One should chant Om regularly several times a day. Secondly, one can meditate on OM guided by a preceptor. The benefits of OM chanting and OM meditation are immense. While chanting OM, the person must focus on the sound with no distractions. The chanting is relatively easy and can be done alone or with the whole family as well as in a gathering such as in a Satsang. According to Swami Sivananda, chanting OM affects every atom in the body and benefits even those who hear the chanting. Let us not delay a spiritual practice that is close at hand and can be done by anybody every day.
Editors note: It is also worth pointing out that our puranas say that the OMkara mantra was offered as upadesam (teaching or guidance) by Lord Muruga to none other than His Father, the supreme Lord Parameswara, at the very famous Swamimalai temple in Tamil Nadu. Hence, one can see Karthikeya depicted as Guru (teacher) and Lord Shiva listening as shishya (disciple) in the gopuram of the temple complex. This episode has special significance to MTS since Lord Muruga, is adored and worshipped with great love and devotion by many of its devotees.

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Sri Meenakshi Temple Society17130 McLean Road, Pearland, TX 77584
Cordially invites you to participate in the
Navarathri CelebrationsOct. 2ndto Oct. 10th 2016
For more information please contact: Padmini at [email protected] or Sheila at [email protected] or
call Temple 281-489-0358 Ext. 100 or 110
mailto:[email protected]

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Navarathri CelebrationsSuvasini Puja
Friday, Oct. 7th2016 at 6:00 PM
Abhishekam and Sahasranama Archana for Sri Meenakshi
&Special Alankarams for Utsavamurthis
Followed by Manjal kumkum distribution to ladies
SponsorshipSuvasini Puja $31
For more information please contact: Padmini at [email protected] or
Sheila at [email protected] orCall Temple 281-489-0358 Ext. 100 or 110

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Invites you and your family to participate in the
Deepavali Katchi and Lakshmi Pooja
Saturday, October 29th 2016
Deepavali Katchi and Lakshmi Pooja 11:00 amLakshmi Pooja 7:00 pm
UTSAVAMURThy ALANkARAM AND NEw VASTRAM OFFERING TO ThE DEITIES by ThE TRUSTEE AND DEVOTEES
For further details, please contact: Padmini at [email protected] or
Sheila at [email protected] orCall Temple office at 281-489-0358 Ext. 100 or 110

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Skanda Shasti UtsavamOct. 31st to Nov. 5th, 2016
Abhishekam, Alankaram, DeeparadhanaProcession of Utsava Murthis around the temple in
Mayil VahanamPrasadam distribution after Puja
Sponsorship: $21For more information please contact:
Padmini at [email protected] orSheila at [email protected] or
Call Temple office at 281-489-0358 Ext. 100 or 110

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atthe Kalyana Mandapam 10:30 am

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Invites you to participate in the
Maha Sathyanarayana Puja
For more information please contact: Padmini at [email protected] or
Sheila at [email protected] orCall Temple office at 281-489-0358 Ext. 100 or 110

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SRI MEENAKSHI TEMPLE STOTRA MALA Commonly recited slokas, compiled by MK Sriram
Sri GaneshaGajananam Bhutha Ganadhi SevithamKapitha Jambuphalasara BhakshithamUmasutham ShokavinashakaranamNamami Vigneshwara Padhapankajam.Om Sri Prasanna Vinayakaya Nama:
Guru (Sri Dakshinamurthy)Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu: Gurur Devo Maheshwara:Guru Sakshath ParaBrahma Thasmai Sri Gurave Nama: Gurave Sarva Lokanam, Rishaje Bhava RohinamNidhaye Sarva Vidhyanam, Sri Dakshinamoorthaye Nama: Om Gurubhyo Nama:
Sri MeenakshiYa Devi Sarva Bhutheshu Matru Roopena SamsthithaNamasthasye Namasthasye Namasthasye Namo Nama:Madurapuri Nayike NamastheMadhuralapishukabhiramahastheMalaya Dwaja Pandya Raja KanyeMayi Meenakshi krupaam Videhi Dhanye.
Sri Sundareswara (Shiva)Thrayambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti VardhanamUrvarukamiva Bhandanaath Mrityor Mukshiya mamrithaath, Hara Hara Parvathy Pathe, Hara Har

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· PDF file4th Quarter 2016 October, November, December ... and Alwargal poster was the ... and the first chairman of MTS history who