Come join us at the Nallur Festival – Fri, Aug 7th (today) and Sat, Aug 8th

Come join us at the Nallur Festival – Fri, Aug 7th (today) and Sat, Aug 8th

See website for details at
http://www.murugantemple.org/headlines/Nallur2009.jsp

Upcoming Nallur Celebration – Aug 7th and Aug 8th

Mark your calendars for Aug. 7th and Aug. 9th – Murugan Temple Celebrates – Nallur Kathirkamam Festival

Murugan Temple Celebrates

It’s Annual Ilankai Nallur & Kathirkamam Kanthan Festival

on Friday, August 7th and Saturday, August 8th

This is the first inauguration of the beautiful Ratham where Murugan will ascend to the ratham for procession!!!

Why do we celebrate Nallur Festival?

The Tamil language was created by Murugan; therefore, He is special for Tamil people. They worship Him, in particular, wherever they live or migrate. The Nallur and Kathirkamam Murugan Temples in Sri Lanka are unique to Tamils living there. Those who have left Sri Lanka miss these Temples, and it is a constant reminder that they are not doing enough to create that age old Tamil Saivite tradition for their children living here. The celebration of the Nallur and Kathirkamam festival at the Murugan Temple of North America is an event that can culturally enlighten the youth to help them understand their roots.

The Annual Festival of Nallur (in Sri Lanka) begins on the sixth day after the July’s new moon. The hoisting of the Holy Flag of the Temple (Kodiyetram) indicates the first day, and continues for twenty–five days. Poonkavanam (Thiru Kalyanam) is on the twenty–sixth day, which concludes this annual festival. Everyday, the idol of Lord Muruga’s Holy Vel is beautifully decorated with an abundance of flowers, and taken around the temple in procession.

What we do here at Murugan Temple?

The Yalpanam Nallur Kanthaswami Kovil and the Kathirkamam Kanthan Kovil Annual Festival will be celebrated for two days at the Washington Murugan Temple on August 7^th (Friday) and 8^th (Saturday), 2009.

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Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami (Kauai’s Hindu Monastery) will preside over the Nallur Festival (see www.himalayanacademy.com).

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Why is this year very, very special?

Murugan Temple, it’s devotees and it’s strong supporters have been working hard at getting a ratham (charriot) for the Murugan procession. This will be the first year that the ratham will be unveiled and Lord Murugan will ascend the ratham for his procession around the temple. This is a once in a life-time event at a hindu temple to witness such an event. Make sure you tell everyone you know about this event and it’s auspiciousness – especially the children growing up in this country!!!

Here is some of the exquisite artwork on the ratham…

Base of the ratham - beautifully carved with Lord Muruga's Epics

Another angle of the beautifully carved murals depicting Lord Murga's Epic Stories and The Six Abodes of Skandha

Top of the Vimana (Charriot) that will hold the beautiful Murthi

More pictures will be available soon…

All events will take place from Friday, August 7th starting at 8:00AM until Saturday, August 8th at 5:00PM. For details on the events, visit the Murugan Temple Calendar at MuruganTemple.org (For folks who have visted us every year in the past… Note the changes to the events because of the ratham…)

We hope to see you all on Friday, August 7th and Saturday, August 8th.

And one of the best ways you can contribute to the Murugan Temple is to ask others to join this blog and tell them about this wonderful upcoming event!!!