TEMPLE TIMES - SRI MEENAKSHI TEMPLE SOCIETY 17130 MCLEAN ROAD, PEARLAND, TX 77584
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TEMPLE TIMES
1st Quarter 2020 Jan., Feb., Mar.
Sri Ganapathi
A Quarterly Publica/on of
Sri Meenakshi Temple Society
17130 McLean Road, Pearland, TX 77584
Sri Meenakshi Temple Society
17130 McLean Road, Pearland, TX-77584
Main Events Calendar for 1st quarter by Month
DATE DAY TIME EVENT
January 2020
31 - Dec Tue 11:55 PM Midnight Arathi & Puja
New Year's day, Special Puja All day,
1 - Jan Wed 8:30 AM
Sri Meenakshi Laksharchana
4 - Jan Sat 6:30 PM Ayyappa Padi Puja
Vaikunta Ekadasi Swarga Vaasal
6 - Jan Mon 10:30 AM
Darshanam
Arudra Darshanam, Nataraja
9 - Jan Thu 7:00 PM
Abhishekam
14 - Jan Tue 7:00 PM Bhogi Pandigai
14 - Jan Tue 7:00 PM Andal Kalyanam
Pongal Pandigai, Sankranthi, Makara
15 - Jan Wed 7:00 PM
Jyothi
16 - Jan Thu 7:00 PM Kanu/Ma\u Pongal
18 - Jan Sat 10:30 AM Thai Pongal Celebra/on
26 - Jan Sun 10:30 AM Sri Vasavi Agni Pravesham
February 2020
7 - Feb Fri 7:00 PM Thai Sukravara Deepa Puja
Thai Poosam, Paalkudam & Kavadi Sri
8 - Feb Sat 8:00 AM
Subramanya Abhishekam
21 - Feb Fri 6:00 PM Maha Sivarathiri
March 2020
Masi Magam, Subramanya Sakh/ Vel
8 - Mar Sun 10:30 AM
Abhishekam
Ugadhi, Telugu, Kannada New Year,
25 - Mar Wed 7:00 PM Venkateswara Abhishekam, Sri
Sarvari Nama Samvatsaram
Kaisika Ekaadasi II
By Dr. K. P. Sarathy
Kasthuri kalitha oordhwapundara thilakam karnaantha lolekshanam
Mugdhasmera manohara adharadalam mukthaa kireetojjwalam I
Pasyan maanasa pasyatho hararuchim paryaaya pankeruham
SriRangaadhipathe kadaanuvadanam seveya bhooyopyaham II
I am longing to get the dharshan of Sri Ranganathan with kasthuri
thilakam on His forehead, beauLful eyes extending to His ears, preOy
smile with aOracLve lips and His lotus-like face crowned with pearl-
studded kireetam.
The reason not to eat food grains on Ekadasi is stated in the Naaradiya
Puranam also:
yaani kaani cha paapaani brahma hathyaadikaani cha I
annam aasritya /shthan/ sampraapthe Hari vaasare II
All sins including killing a pious person reside in the whole food grains
on ekaadasi days and hence whoever consumes such food will acquire
such sins.
The Skanda Puraana also states that those who eat grains on Ekaadasi,
the Day of Lord Hari, will be commiVng the sin equal to killing one’s
own mother, own father, own brother and own Guru and will not go to
Vishnu lokam (the abode of Lord Hari). The Skanda puraana further
states that Yama Raja instructed his messengers not to approach those
who observe ekaadasi vratham no maOer what their status in society
was.
On the other hand he informed them to bring without fail even those
learned people in all scriptures who ate food grains on the day of Lord
Hari.
The reason is also stated in BrahmaVaivarta Puraana - Krishna Janma
Kaanda - Chapter 26 - The person who eats rice on ekaadasi day falls to
hell because sins like Brahma Hathya dosham (sin of murdering a pious
person) reside in rice on that day.
सत्यं सवार्िण पापािन ब्रह्महत्यािदकािनचI
सन्तेवौदनमािश्रत्य श्रीकृष्णव्रतवासरे
II (23)
All the sins like Brahma-hathya dosham and others reside in the rice
cooked on ekaadasi days.
भुक्त्वैतािन च पापािन यो भुङ्क्ते तत्र मन्धित |
इहाितपातकी सोSपी यात्यन्ते नरकं ध्रुवम्|| (24)
Therefore , those who consume the cooked rice on that day inherit
all the vices becoming a great sinner on earth and ulLmately go to hell.
Ekaadasi in MahaaBhaaratham
There is yet another story behind ekaadasi widely believed among
south Indian Vaishnavites extracted from the epic, Mahabharatham.
Once there lived a demon known by the name Muran who challenged
even the heavenly beings, devaas who appealed to Siva who directed
them to Lord Vishnu to destroy this demon. Acer a long fight with the
demon Vishnu reLred to a cave taking a yoga nidra (meditaLve
slumber) to find a way to finish the demon. Assuming this to be the
best opportunity Muran aOacked Lord Vishnu. A devine power
emanaLng from the holy body of Vishnu killed the demon. Since this
happened on a ekaadasi day this female form of the devine power was
called ekaadasi devathai. Pleased by this devine power Vishnu granted
a boon to her who wished that whoever observed vratham, staying
away from food and engaging in prayers the enLre day should be
granted Moksham (liberaLon from birth-death cycles). Since the
demon stayed in food grains the sins of those who avoided consuming
the whole grain food on ekaadasi days were dissolved and they
reached the abode of Vishnu.
to be con/nued…
EVENTS FOR 1st QUARTER 2020
DATE DAY TIME EVENT
31-Dec Tue 11:55 PM Midnight Arathi & Puja
New Year's day, Special Puja All day, Sri
1-Jan Wed 8:30 AM
Meenakshi Laksharchana
Sukla SashL Sri Subramanya
1-Jan Wed 7:00 PM
Abhishekam
4-Jan Sat 6:30 PM Ayyappa Padi Puja
5-Jan Sun 10:30 AM Venkateswara Abhishekam
6:30 AM Thiruppavai Parayanam
6-Jan Mon
8:30 AM Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam
Vaikunta Ekadasi Swarga Vaasal
6-Jan Mon 10:30 AM
Darshanam
6-Jan Mon 7:00 PM Krithikai Sri Subramanya Abhishekam
Pradosham Nandi & Siva Abhishekam &
8-Jan Wed 7:00 PM
Procession
Arudra Darshanam, Nataraja
9-Jan Thu 7:00 PM
Abhishekam
10-Jan Fri 7:00 PM Punarvasu Sri Rama Abhishekam
10-Jan Fri 7:00 PM Sathyanarayana Puja
12-Jan Sun 11:00 AM Meenakshi Abhishekam
12-Jan Sun 4:30 PM 63 Nayanmargal Abhishekam
Sankatahara Chaturththi Ganapathi
13-Jan Mon 7:00 PM
Homam & Abhisheham
14-Jan Tue 7:00 PM Bhogi Pandigai
14-Jan Tue 7:00 PM Andal Kalyanam
Pongal Pandigai, Sankranthi, Makara
15-Jan Wed 7:00 PM
Jyothi
16-Jan Thu 7:00 PM Kanu/Ma\u Pongal
17-Jan Fri 7:00 PM Ashtami Bhairavar Abhishekam
18-Jan Sat 10:30 AM Thai Pongal Celebra/on
20-Jan Mon 7:00 PM Ekadasi Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam
Pradosham Nandi & Siva Abhishekam &
22-Jan Wed 7:00 PM
Procession
22-Jan Wed 7:00 PM Mulam Sri Anjaneyar Abhishekam
25-Jan Sat 11:00 AM Sravanam Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam
26-Jan Sun 10:30 AM Sri Vasavi Agni Pravesham
EVENTS FOR 1st QUARTER 2020
DATE DAY TIME EVENT
26-Jan Sun 4:30 PM Alwargal Abhishekam
28-Jan Tue 7:00 PM Maha Ganapathy Abhishekam
Sukla SashL Sri Subramanya
30-Jan Thu 7:00 PM
Abhishekam
2-Feb Sun 10:30 AM Venkateswara Abhishekam
3-Feb Mon 7:00 PM Krithikai Sri Subramanya Abhishekam
5-Feb Wed 7:00 PM Ekadasi Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam
Pradosham Nandi & Siva Abhishekam &
6-Feb Thu 7:00 PM
Procession
7-Feb Fri 7:00 PM Punarvasu Sri Rama Abhishekam
7_Feb Fri 7:00 PM Thai Sukravara Deepa Puja
Thai Poosam, Paalkudam & Kavadi Sri
8-Feb Sat 8:00 AM
Subramanya Abhishekam
8-Feb Sat 7:00 PM Sathyanarayana Puja
9-Feb Sun 11:00 AM Meenakshi Abhishekam
9-Feb Sun 4:30 PM 63 Nayanmargal Abhishekam
Sankatahara Chaturththi Ganapathi
12-Feb Wed 7:00 PM
Homam & Abhisheham
16-Feb Sun 11:00 AM Ashtami Bhairavar Abhishekam
18-Feb Tue 7:00 PM Ekadasi Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam
18-Feb Tue 7:00 PM Mulam Sri Anjaneyar Abhishekam
Pradosham Nandi & Siva Abhishekam &
20-Feb Thu 7:00 PM
Procession
21-Feb Fri 6:00 PM Maha Sivarathiri
22-Feb Sat 10:30 AM Sravanam Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam
23-Feb Sun 4:30 PM Alwargal Abhishekam
27-Feb Thu 7:00 PM Maha Ganapathy Abhishekam
29-Feb Sat 11:00 AM Krithikai Sri Subramanya Abhishekam
1-Mar Sun 10:30 AM Venkateswara Abhishekam
1-Mar Sun 11:00 AM Krithikai Sri Subramanya Abhishekam
5-Mar Thu 7:00 PM Ekadasi Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam
5-Mar Thu 7:00 PM Punarvasu Sri Rama Abhishekam
Pradosham Nandi & Siva Abhishekam &
7-Mar Sat 7:00 PM
Procession
Masi Magam, Subramanya Sakh/ Vel
8-Mar Sun 10:30 AM
Abhishekam
EVENTS FOR 1st QUARTER 2020
DATE DAY TIME EVENT
8-Mar Sun 11:00 AM Meenakshi Abhishekam
8-Mar Sun 4:30 PM 63 Nayanmargal Abhishekam
9-Mar Mon NA Holi Fes/val
9-Mar Mon 7:00 PM Sathyanarayana Puja
Sankatahara Chaturththi Ganapathi
12-Mar Thu 7:00 PM
Homam & Abhisheham
Karadayar Nombu (10:45 AM to 12
14-Mar Sat 10:45 AM
PM)
16-Mar Mon 7:00 PM Ashtami Bhairavar Abhishekam
16-Mar Mon 7:00 PM Mulam Sri Anjaneyar Abhishekam
19-Mar Thu 7:00 PM Ekadasi Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam
20-Mar Fri 7:00 PM Sravanam Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam
Pradosham Nandi & Siva Abhishekam &
21-Mar Sat 7:00 PM
Procession
22-Mar Sun 4:30 PM Alwargal Abhishekam
Ugadhi, Telugu, Kannada New Year,
25-Mar Wed 7:00 PM Venkateswara Abhishekam, Sri Sarvari
Nama Samvatsaram
28-Mar Sat 11:00 AM Maha Ganapathy Abhishekam
29-Mar Sun 11:00 AM Krithikai Sri Subramanya Abhishekam
Sukla SashL Sri Subramanya
30-Mar Mon 7:00 PM
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 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 Sunday of the Month 10:00 AM
Sri Meenakshi Abhishekam ……….…Second Sunday of the Month 11:00 AM **
Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam.………….…. First Sunday of the Month 10:30 AM
Dec 08, 2019 - Kumbabhishekam
Picture Credit: Thiru Arumugam & Setty Uncle
Honoring Sri Manicka Sundara
Bhattar for 25 years of his
distinguished serviceRenovated Kalyana Mandapam Inauguration
By Hon. Deputy Chief Minister Sri O. Pannerselvam
November 2019
Staff Recognition for 20 years
of service
K. Venkatachalam &
Hema VenkatachalamThai Poosam Fes/val
By M.K.Sriram
Thai Poosam is a sacred fesLval that occurs in the Tamil month of Thai
on the Poosam nakshathram or star. It is celebrated with great fanfare
in Sri Murugan temples all over Tamil Nadu. This day commemorates
the day when Goddess ParvaL presented the Divine ‘Vel’ to her
beloved son Lord Murugan to vanquish the demon army led by
‘Surapadman’. The ‘Vel’ (lance) was given to Lord Murugan to
eliminate the three demons, Surapadman, Singamugan, and
Tarakasura, who represent the forces of hatred, greed, and arrogance.
The mighty ‘Vel’ was invested with the ‘ShakL’ or power of Goddess
ParvaL and used by Lord Murugan to kill the three asuras. Thus, it has
come to be regarded as a symbol of purificaLon. The ‘Vel’ also serves
as the protecLve and purifying force of Lord Murugan, and the
occasion of Thaipusam is celebrated to glorify these benign forces. We,
as humans experience the same evil forces within us and there is a
baOle going on within ourselves to overcome them. This fesLval
reminds us that we need divine blessings in order to overcome these
seemingly insurmountable forces that works against us. We pray to
Mother Parvathi and Lord Muruga to arm us with the mental forLtude
and determinaLon to fight and overcome these obstacles.
Many devotees observe the fesLval of Thai Poosam by performing acts
of penance such as carrying the ‘Kavadi’. This entails carrying a
horizontal branch of a tree with two pots of milk Led at each end,
decorated with a wooden arch, flowers and peacock feathers.
Worshiping Lord Murugan on the occasion of Thai Poosam is said to
alleviate the effects of bad karma, prevents one from commiVng
wrong doing and helps make life more posiLve.
This year it is celebrated on Saturday, February 8th at Sri Meenakshi
Temple. This is one of the most popular fesLvals we celebrate at the
temple and is enjoyed by a vast array of devotees. Volunteers work
most enthusiasLcally weeks ahead, to make meLculous preparaLons
for the event including geVng the 150 or so colorful Kavadis and Paal
Kudams (milk vessels) with the various ingredients such as jaggery,
organized. Each year we see more and more parLcipants of all ages.
On the day of the event, all the Kavadis and Paal Kudams are neatly laidout at the Ganesh Temple where the final event, all the Kavadis and
Paal Kudams are neatly laid out at the Ganesh Temple where the final
preparaLons are made. Acer preliminary pujas for Lord Ganesha, the
joyful procession accompanied by devoLonal songs and bhajans starts
and proceeds first to the Main Temple and then to the Kalyana
Mandapam / Youth Center complex. Seeing and parLcipaLng in the
Abhishekam to Lord Murugan, to the chanLng of Sri Rudram is a most
ecstaLc experience to devotees. Following the abhishekam, during the
Alankaram when the deiLes are decorated, the devotees sing
melodious devoLonal songs and bhajans. The whole atmosphere is
turned into a blissful ocean of Bhakthi. The priests then conduct the
grand archana and arathi. This is followed by a procession of Lord
Muruga in the silver Ratham around the temple with the
accompaniment of the Chenda Melam (tradiLonal drums from Kerala).
This is followed by a sumptuous lunch prepared by the temple kitchen
staff and volunteers. One significant underlying theme in this fesLval is
the spirit of volunteerism. It takes the coordinated efforts of so many
dedicated volunteers to make this a successful event. Thai Poosam is a
fesLval that hundreds of devotees eagerly look forward to parLcipate
every year. It brings an abundance of good will, love and harmony to
the community.
“Vel Muruganukku Haro Hara
Pazhani Andavanukku Haro Hara
Houston Muruganukku Haro Hara”Puja
By Sasidharan Pillai
Puja is one of the most beauLful ways to bring out the devotee within oneself
and establish a relaLonship with Isvara, the God. The puja is called kayikam
karma, an acLon involving one’s limbs. It also included speech and mental
acLon in the form of chanLng and thinking of the God. In a physical form of
worship, such as a puja is a greater field of expression of one’s devoLon than
is possible in purely oral or mental forms of worship. The body, mind and
speech are all involved in a puja. The forms, colors, fragrances and sounds of
the various items of worship arrest one’s mind and aid in evoking devoLon in
oneself.
A puja is performed in order to express one’s graLtude to Isvara for all one has
been given in one’s life. The very creaLon in which one is born is considered to
be a gic of the God. The body-mind-sense complex is made up of five basic
elements: space, air, water and earth which also consLtute the creaLon.
Through the sense percepLons backed by the mind one perceives the God’s
vast creaLon and appreciates his glories.
TradiLonally, a form of worship known as pancopacara-puja, worship with
fivefold offering, is performed. This worship acknowledges the presence of the
God and makes a simple offering of the five elements through a symbolic
offering of pushpa, flowers; dhupa, incense; dipa, light; naivedya, food and
gandha, sandalwood paste. These objects represent the elements space, air,
water and earth respecLvely.
Puja at Home: Puja is generally performed by an individual at home. Most
homes have an altar where one or more deiLes are kept. The choice of deity is
a personal one. It does not maOer which deity is chosen as each one
represents Isvara in a different form or aspect. The deity is called istadevata,
one’s desired deity.
Pancayatana Puja: TradiLonally, those who strictly follow the Vedic way of life
perform a puja called the pancayatana puja. The following verse describes the
deiLes worshipped in this puja.
“adityam ambikam Vishnu gananatham mahesvaram
Pancayajnaparo nityam grhasthah panca pujayet”
Adityam- the sun deity; ambikam- Goddess Ambika;Vishnum- The Lord
Vishnu; gananathan-Lord Ganesha; mahesvaram- Lord Shiva; panca-yajna-
parah- one commiOed to the five sacrifices; nityam- daily; grhasthah-
householder; panca- five; pujayet-may worship. A house holder who is
commiOed to the performance of the panca-yajnas, five daily sacrifices may
do pancayatana-puja daily to five deiLes: the sun deity, Goddess Ambika, Lord
Vishnu, Lord Ganesh and Lord Shiva.The five deiLes in this puja are tradiLonally invoked in the form of naturally occurring stones. For instance, sphaLka, a crystal which occurs in various places in India, represents Aditya(the Sun); stones with specific markings, obtained from River Svarnamukhi in Andra Pradesh, represents Goddess Ambika; saligrama, obtained from River Gandaki in Nepal, represents Lord Vishnu; a red stone called sonabhadra from River Sona represents Lord Ganesh; and bana-linga, obtained from River narmada, represents Lord Shiva. The idols are placed in a prescribed manner. For Shiva-pancayatana-puja Lord Shiva is placed in the center, surrounded by the other deiLes; for Vishnu- pancayatana-puja, Vishnu is placed in the center surrounded by the other deiLes and so on. A puja is performed to all deiLes in either a five step worship or a sixteen step worship. Steps of Puja: Whether a puja is performed at home or in a temple, the essenLal steps are the same. The basic puja is called the pancopacara-puja, in which one makes a fivefold offering. A more elaborate puja is called the sodasopacara-puja, a sixteen step puja, in which one addiLonally offers clothes, ornaments and other similar items that one enjoys. The most elaborate puja is called the catussasLupacara-puja a sixty –four step puja, where the offerings include music, dance, chariots, elephants and other similar items. Whatever one enjoys in life can be offered to the Lord as an expression of graLtude. With minor variaLons, the following steps are customarily followed in any puja. Acer taking a bath and preparing the altar, one sits in front of the altar in comfortable posture. One begins the puja by lighLng a lamp, which symbolizes knowledge. In order to be prayerful, one invokes an aVtude of purity within oneself by doing acamana, which involves chanLng the God’s name three Lmes and sipping water with each chant. This is followed by a prayer to Lord Ganesha, who is the remover of all obstacles. Next, one performs pranayama, which helps one gain a relaLve composure of mind. Sankalap is done next to idenLfy the person, yajamana , doing the puja, and to state the purpose for which the puja is done. Then one rings the bell. The sound of the bell is considered auspicious and is said to ward off negaLve influences from the place of worship. Following these steps, one sacrifices water in the water pot through chants and purifies the various arLcles of worship by sprinkling the sacrificed water on them. These arLcles include the place where one is seated, the bell and flowers. The yajamana then offers prayers to the Lord within himself by reciLng a verse in which one’s body is likened to a temple and the self within is likened to the deity. As a final preparatory step offers prayers to one’s Guru. The main puja may be brief or elaborate. It begins by invoking the presence of the God in a symbol. This symbol may be a picture or an idol of a given deity, such as Ganesha or Lakshmi; or even a lamp of turmeric powder, a betelnut; or kalsa,
a brass pot of water. Once the God is invoked, the symbol is looked upon as
the God unLl the puja is completed. The God is treated as a reserved guest. He
is offered a regal seat and his feet are washed. He is then given a bath and
offered clothes and various ornaments. Flowers are offered along with
salutaLons. While offering flowers and salutaLons, the God is addressed by
various names. They may be sixteen in number, one hundred and eight in
number, or one thousand eight in number. These names reveal the glories of
the God and his essenLal nature. Naivedya is offered to the God in the form of
freshly cooked food or fruits. The God is then provided with comforts and
music and dance is offered unto him.
Acer various offerings are completed, one offers araL to the God by lighLng a
camphor and chanLng prayers. Following the araL one offers flowers and
salutaLon. One concludes the worship by asking for forgiveness for any
inadequacies, omissions in the performance of the puja. Once the puja is
completed, the Lord is requested to return to his abode. The offerings that are
made to the Lord are distributed as prasada to everyone who parLcipates in
the puja.
Brief explana3on of steps:
Acer lighLng a lamp, one performs the sankalap. The sankalpa idenLfies the
person doing the puja (yajamana) and the purpose for which the puja is done.
A common purpose in all puja is ‘durita-ksaya’- the removal of duritas,
impuriLes of the mind. One may pray for other reasons, but an important
element in all prayers is to seek a mind free from confusion and wrong
thinking.
The iniLal step is invoking the presence of the God in the given symbol. Once
invoked, the symbol becomes the God and is looked upon as such unLl the
puja is completed. The God is received with an aVtude of devoLon and is then
offered acamana, vastra, cloth and the other items.
While offering flowers. One addresses the God by the various names that
reveal the God’s nature or describe his glories. One may chant sixteen, one
hundred and eight, or one thousand and eight names of the God. Naivedya is
then offered at the altar. For naivedya, one may offer fruits (fresh or dried),
nuts or cooked foods. It is customary thst we do not offer the God pre-made,
store bought or lecover foods.
AraL is performed by dimming or switching off the electric lights in the room
and offering lighted camphor. When visiLng a temple, one may go around the
deity clockwise three Lmes as an act of salutaLon. Since the Lord also abides
within, one may turn around oneself three Lmes, in a clockwise direcLon,
while remaining in the same spot. Both these acts are known as pradikshna.
In performing the puja, there may have been errors of omission and
commission. One asks for forgiveness of the God for these. Acer the puja, the
God is requested with a prayer to return to his original abode. The prasada is
then taken from the altar and distributed to all.
Ohm Shan3 Ohm Shan3 Ohm shan3Some criteria, MTS membership Rules and Guidelines:
1. Membership of MTS shall be open to anyone who follows the Hindu
religious faith and Culture and believe in the objectives of MTS and
meets the MTS By-laws requirements.(Article II: Section 1)
2. Applicant of 20 years of age or older shall become a Primary
member after the Membership committee’s review and approval by the
Board of Directors. Such Primary members will be in “Provisional”
status for one year until they have satisfactorily demonstrated
their support for MTS goals and objectives as in the By-laws. At
that time, the member’s status will be converted to “Active” subject
to review by the Membership committee and approval by the Board.
(Article II: Section 3 & 4)
o Provisional members, shall not have privileges to vote or
to hold elected offices on the Board. They may attend General Body
meetings as nonvoting members.
3. Both husband and wife must apply individually for their
respective membership (Article II: Section 8)
4. Primary members who file their membership forms annually and pay
the annual dues, if any, shall be “Active” in status. Such members
shall constitute the General Body of MTS. (Article II: Section 9)
5. Youth members are children of Active Primary and Senior members
between ages 13 and 19. Membership and renewal forms for Youth
members shall be signed by their parents or guardians. (Article II:
Section 11)
6. Persons employed as Staff members or gainfully employed on
contract by MTS, shall not be accepted as Primary members. (Article
II: Section 14)
7. An active member shall become a “life” member upon payment of the
necessary dues during the calendar year and applying for the same
within 90 days following the end of the calendar year. (Article VII:
Section 8)
8. All members must renew their membership every year, by January 1,
by completing and filing the annual membership renewal form and
paying the annual dues. (Article V: Section 1)
9. Extended renewal time or grace period is 1st January to 31st
March. (Article V: Section 1)
10. Any member who has not filed the renewal form and/or paid the
annual dues past 31st March, shall automatically become “Inactive”
in status and shall lose his/her Membership rights and privileges.
(Article IV: Section 4)
o An Inactive member shall be made Active again when the
renewal forms are filed and necessary dues, if any, for the current
year are paid.
11. The following do not pay annual fees for MTS membership: i) Life
Members, ii) Inactive members and iii) Honorary or youth members or
Temple devotees.
12. Email, Telephone and address corrections of members must be made
through this form and by sending it to the membership committee
coordinator. Such changes made to at the MTS devotee database
(www.meenakshi.org) are not automatically used to update the
membership information.
13. In December of every year, the membership committee will send
out a membership renewal notice and all changes to membership can
also be made through the letter.
14. To vote in the elections and to sponsor candidates, a member
must be in Active status as of July 1, of an election year. (Article
XXI: Section 1).Sri Meenakshi Temple Society
17130 McLean Road, Pearland, TX 77584 (281)-489-0358
Web address: hBp://www.meenakshi.org
NEW MEMBER REGISTRATION FORM
Year Membership No.
Assigned by the commiBee
(Please Print)
REGISTRATION DUES* per member
Name:Mr./Mrs.________________________________ REGULAR
Last Middle First
Mailing Address:______________________________ below 65 years $ 50/year
65 yrs & above $ 25/year
CITY: _______________STATE: ______________ZIP:_________ full-Sme students $ 25/year
DOB: (MM/YYYY): / E-Mail: ________________________ LIFE $1,000
PHONE: ( ) _________________ ( ) _____________ check#__________Date:_______
Home Mobile Payments should be made only by check
I am interested in parScipaSng/volunteering in the following areas:
Amount: $ __________
( Check payable to MTS)
1._________________ 2.___________________
I follow the Hindu Religious faith and Culture and believe in the objecSves of MTS. I am residing
in the United States of America and am willing to volunteer in the temple related acSviSes. I am
at least 20 years of age.
__________________ _____________ _________________ ____________
Signature Date Gothram (opSonal) Star (opSonal)
For New Members Only (Sponsorship by Four AcSve Members)
As a sponsor of the new member listed above, I, to the best of my knowledge, state that I am, as of the date
signed, an acSve member of MTS and have not sponsored more than four new members this year.
No. Last First Mid Mem. No Email Signature Date
1
2
3
4
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY:
Form Rcvd. on: _________ by: ______ Check Rcvd. on: _______ by: _______
The following checks have been made:
Sponsors in AcSve Status, Not more than four sponsorships in a year, payment made.
Date Approved by Membership CommiBee: Membership Category:
EffecSve Date of membership:
Comments: ________________________________________________________
Note: Incomplete and/or incorrect form will delay the processing of the membership applica9on.
Fully filled form with payment can be dropped in the office or mailed to MTS, aBenSon of Membership
C o m m i Be e C o o rd i n ato r. P l e a s e s e n d a n e m a i l to t h e m e m b e rs h i p co o rd i n ato r
(mtsmembership@gmail.com) aVer submiWng the applicaSon form. We expect to process it within
three months. Please contact us by email if you have not heard from us.Sri Meenakshi Temple Society
17130 McLean Road, Pearland, TX 77584
Phone: 281-489-0358 Ext. 100 (or) 110
ANNUAL PUJA SPONSORSHIP FORM
Name: ________________________ ____________________Date:__________
First Last
Tel:___________________; __________________ New Renewal
Home Mobile
Address:________________________________________________________
Street Apt. City State Zip
Email:__________________________________________________________
Check the Pujas That You Wish to Sponsor Please update your family members
Abhishekam - Once a Month - $321 B I R T H S TA R , N A M E , a n d
RELATIONASHIP in your temple USER
Sri Anjaneya On Moola Nakshatram PROFILE. These names will be added
Sri Rama Punarvasu Nakshatram to the puja you are sponsoring.
Sri Kanyakaparameswari - Last Friday of the Month
Sri Ganesha Chathurthi Sankatahara Shukla
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
Sri Venkateswara EKADASI Shukla Krishna
Sri Venkateswara First Sundays Sravanam Abhishekam_______x 321= ____
Qty
Sri Subramanya Shukla SashS Krithikai
Sri Shiva & Nandi PRADOSHAM Shukla Krishna Archana ______x 132= _____
Qty
Sri Durga Tuesdays - 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
Sri Meenakshi Fridays - 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Archana _______x 501= ____
Qty
Sri Navagraha Saturdays- 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
Sri Padmavathi Fridays - 1st 2nd 3rd 4th SatyaNPuja _____x 612= _____
Qty
Sri Shiva Mondays - 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
Total Amount: $____________
Sri Ayyappa Saturdays - 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
Payment Method:
Sri Satyanarayana Pooja $612
CASH CHECK #____________
Sri Satyanarayana Pooja - Poornima Days
CC_____________________________
Archana Once a Month - $132 Once a Week - $501
Exp Mo/Yr___________CCV________
Monthly _______________ __________________
Name of Deity Day of Month SYSTEM ENTRY:
Weekly ________________ __________________ Payment Entered DATE_____________
Name of Deity Day of Month
BY:_____________________________
**Prasadam will be mailed to your home address a]er the
Puja Scheduled DATE______________
pooja. If you are a^ending the pooja, please arrive 15
For more informa9on please contact the Temple Office at
281-489-0358 ext. 100, 110
If you have any ques9ons, comments or need more informa9on
please do not hesitate to contact
Dhani Kannan at dhanikannan@yahoo.com
Partha K. at parth04@gmail.com
Bhargavi at bg_golla@yahoo.comKalyana Mandapam (KM),
Youth Center (YC),
and Visitors Center (VC) at MTS
• Both KM and YC are spacious faciliSes for events like
Engagements, Weddings, RecepSons, 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 faciliSes (KM, YC and the Visitors Center) for
all of your needs throughout the year
• Recommend to your friends and colleagues about the
faciliSes and support our Temple
For Reserva9ons Contact: Mr. Venkatachalam at
832-725-1805 or venkatk2005@yahoo.com
Alterna9vely: Send e-mail to temple@meenakshi.org or
murugan_selvan@hotmail.com (Murugan Selvan) and
we will get back to you within 24 hours
MTS Facility Rental Query: heps://9nyurl.com/y9xlbcao
Kalyana Mandapam Youth Center Banquet HallRAHUKALAM DAY YAMAGANDAM
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM Sunday 12 NOON – 1:30 PM
7:30 AM – 9:00 AM Monday 10:30 AM – 12 NOON
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM Tuesday 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
12 NOON – 1:30 PM Wednesday 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM Thursday 6:00 AM – 7:30 AM
10:30 AM – 12 NOON Friday 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Saturday 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 Na6onal Holidays:
8:30 AM to 8:30 PM
Listen to MTS Radio
Listen to MTS Radio every Sunday
98.7 FM STATION in Houston
Broadcast Every Sunday at 1:00 PM
Tune on to link hJp://sanatanhinducenter.org/radio/
Sri Meenakshi Temple Telephone Numbers
Main Temple…………………………281-489-0358
(Best 6me to call: 9 AM to 12 Noon and 5 PM to 8 PM)
Main Temple………………………………………………………………100, 110
Ganesh Temple Facility Center………………………………………..…115
Library (During Library hours)……………………………………………125
Kalyana Mandapam……………………………………………………….…112
Temple Kitchen…………………………………………………………….……227
MTS Fax……………………………………………………………281-489-3540
STAFF
Sri Vatsa Kumar (Administrator)………………..…….832-689-6448
Sri K. Venkatachalam (Administrator)……………..832-725-1805
Sri Manickasundaram BhaUar (Priest)……………..281-489-8633
Sri Kalyana Sundaram (Priest)………………………….281-692-9815
Sri R.K.E. Parameswaran (Priest)……………………..281-489-0575
Sri Sreedharan Raghavan (Priest)…………….………713-518-1810
Sri Pawankumar Sri Bhashyam (Priest)………….…281-819-7842
Sri Srimannarayana Charyulu Rompicherla (Priest)..281-965-9780
Sri Balaji Sethuraman (Priest)…………………..……..832-486-7083
www.emeenakshi.org
Temple Times Published by MTS Public Rela9ons and PublicityMain Events For 2nd Quarter 2020
DATE DAY EVENT
April - 2020
2 - April Thursday Sri Rama Navami
4 - April Saturday Sita Rama Kalyanam
6 - April Monday Panguni Uthiram
6 - April Monday Ramanujar Mahalakshmi Thiruvizha
11 - April Saturday Ayyappa Padi Puja
12 - April Sunday Panguni Uthiram CelebraLons
14 - April Tuesday Tamil New Year -Sri Sarvari nama
Samvatsaram
14 - April Tuesday Vishu Kani
26 - April Sunday Akshaya Thrithiya
28 - April Tuesday Sri Sankara Jayanthi
28 - April Tuesday Sri Ramanuja Jayanthi
30 - April Thursday Mahotsavam Vasthu Shanthi
May - 2020
1 - May Friday Mahotsavam 1stDayDwajarohanam
2 - May Saturday Sri Meenakshi PaOabhishekam
3 - May Sunday Nayanmar/Alwargal Thiruvizha
3 - May Sunday Mahotsavam 3rd Day
4/5 - May Mon/Tue Mahotsavam 4th/5th Day
6 - May Wednesday Narasimha Jayanthi
6/7 - May Wed/Thu Mahotsavam 6th/7th Day
8/9 - May Fri/Sat Mahotsavam 8th/9th Day
10 - May Sunday Sri Meenakshi Thirukalyanam
10 - May Sunday Dwaja Avarohanam/Mother’s Day
15/16-May Fri/Sat Narasimha Jayanthi CelebraLons
17 - May Sunday Sri Hanuman Jayanthi
17 - May Sunday Rajamathangi Homam
June - 2020
4 - June Thursday Vaikasi Visaka
14 - June Sunday Father’s Day
27 - June Saturday Aani ThirumanjanamTemple Times is a Publication of NON PROFIT
Sri Meenakshi Temple Society ORG.
U. S POSTAGE
17130 McLean Road PAID
PEARLAND, TX
Pearland, TX 77584-4630 PERMIT NO. 79You can also read
