- Murugan Temple of North America
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The Murugan Temple of North America (MTNA) is the first temple dedicated to the Hindu deity Murugan in the United States. 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 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 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
Hindu temples in the United States of America Malibu Hindu Temple • The Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago • • BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Atlanta • Hindu Temple of Atlanta • Iraivan Temple • BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Chicago • Murugan Temple of North America • Sri Siva Vishnu Temple • Bharatiya Temple • Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, New Jersey (Weehawken) • Gufa Shiv Bhagat- Baba Balak Nath Temple • Sri Rajarajeswari Peetam • Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple (Spanish Fork) • New Vrindaban • Prabhupada's Palace of Gold • BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Houston • Barsana Dham • Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, New Jersey (Colonia) • Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chicago • Sri Lakshmi Temple, Ashland, MA
Coordinates: 38°58′10.43″N 76°52′3.16″W / 38.9695639°N 76.8675444°WCategories:- Maryland building and structure stubs
- Hindu temple stubs
- Hindu temples in Maryland
- Places of worship in Prince George's County, Maryland
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