Murugan Temple of North America
The Murugan Temple of North America (MTNA) is the first temple in the United States that is dedicated to the Hindu deity Murugan. The temple is located in Lanham, Maryland, about 15 miles (24 km) from Washington, D.C..[1] Conceived in the 1980s and opened in 1999, MTNA celebrates all Hindu and Tamil festivals, holidays and special occasions. In addition, the temple conducts bhajans, Tamil and religious classes. Devotees from Maryland, Washington, Virginia and throughout the country (even from neighboring Canada) visit this traditional Saivite Hindu temple. The main sannidhi at MTNA is for Murugan (Karttikeya) with Valli Devasena. There are four other sannidhis, for Vinayaka (Ganesha), Siva, Meenakshi, Durga and Palani Aandavar.
Major festivals
The following major festivals are celebrated:
- Thai Poosam
- Panguni Uthiram
- Vaikasi Visagam
- Aadi Karthigai
- Nallur Kathirgamam Kanthan Festival (Lord Murugan ascends in the Ratham)
- Kanda Shahsti Festival
- Thiruvathirai function for Lord Nataraja (Arudra Darisanam)
- Sivaratiri
- Navarathiri (10 days)
- Vinayakar Chaturthi
- Karthigai Deepam
- Six Annual Abishegams for Lord Nataraja (Thiruvonam Nakshatram in the month of Chithirai, Uttiram Nakshatram in the month of Aani, Thiruvathirai Nakshatram in the month of Marghazi, Purva Paksha Chaturdasi evening in the months of Aavani,Purattasi and Maasi)
The grand procession of Lord Murugan with Valli Devasena takes place during major festivals. On 7 August 2009, the Vellottam was conducted for the new Ratham. On 8 August 2009, Lord Murugan ascended in the new Ratham for the Nallur Kathirgamam Kanthan festival. It was drawn by the devotees around the Murugan Temple during an auspicious period. Every year, the Nallur festival is celebrated in Murugan Temple during August and Murugan ascends in the Ratham. The second Kumbabhishegam for all deities in the Murugan Temple was performed on 13 May 2011. The Sri Siva Vishnu Temple is located less than 2 miles (3.2 km) from MTNA.
References
External links
Coordinates: 38°58′10.43″N 76°52′3.16″W / 38.9695639°N 76.8675444°W