Saturday events on October 3 and October 10, 2020
This Story was updated at 2215 hrs on September 28, 2020
Venkat Raman
Auckland, September 28, 2020
The Thiru Subramaniyar Aalayam (Murugan Temple) located at 69 Tidal Road in the South Auckland suburb of Mangere has announced that Special ‘Purattasi Saneeswarar Poojas’ will continue on October 3 and October 10, 2020, corresponding to the Tamil Purattasi third and fourth Saturday.
The weekly Poojas began two weeks ago with the advent of the Tamil Month of Purattasi.
Ilango Krishnamoorthy, Founder-Trustee of the New Zealand Hindu Temple Society, which owns and manages the Temple said that the forthcoming events have been planned to accommodate larger than usual number of devotees but will restrict to 100 persons at a time as per the current Covid-19 Lockdown Level 2 restrictions.
But the Temple receives hundreds of worshippers every week, he said.
Significant Month
“Purattasi is one of the most important months in the Tamil calendar and has a special significance to the Tamil-speaking people. Called, ‘Ashwin Month’ in North India, people pray to Lord Vishnu (or Lord Venkateswara), known as ‘Perumal.’ The belief is that the negative effect of Saturn will be less intense during Purattasi if offerings are made to Lord Venkateswara, who, according to the Hindu religion, descended on the Earth during this month,” he said.
Temple Programme
Raja Guru, President of the New Zealand Hindu Temple Society, said that the ensuing two Saturdays will witness the following schedule: 945 am: Navakalasa Pooja and Sudarshana Maha Vishnu Homam; 11 am: Thirumanjana Abhishekam; 12 pm: Deeparadhanai followed by Maha Prasadam. The evening Programme will commence at 730 pm with Nithya Pooja, followed by Lord Venkateswarar Maha Deeparadhanai and Prasadam.
“The Executive Committee has planned to serve 150 meals on each of the ensuing Saturdays. However, we will strictly follow the government guidelines (of maximum gathering of 100 persons at a time along with other safety and safe distancing rules). The Temple usually experiences a good flow of devotees. We have planned a variety of vegetarian items as Maha Prasadam. Our volunteers are preparing to serve up to 500 visitors on the two days. We invite our devotees to please contact the Temple for Archanas and other Special Poojas,” Raja Guru said.
About Purattasi Sani
Purattasi Sani or ’Tirumala Saneeswarar’ is a Hindu festival celebrated in the five South-Indian States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. Lord Venkateswara or ‘Perumal’ is worshipped during this month, which occurs between September and October.
Hindus consider Purattasi as the ideal period for offering special prayers to their favourite God (Lord Venkateswara is a form of Lord Vishnu) for preserving the Universe during the Kali Yuga.
All Saturdays of this month are treated as Holy Days and millions of people visit Vishnu Temples or Temples that have His Deity. It is believed that odd Saturdays- the first, third and the fifth are of greater importance compared to other days.
The Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam conducts the increasingly popular Annual Navarathri Brahmotsavam during Purattasi.
However, festivities this year have been subject to restrictions because of Covid-19.
About Thiru Subramaniam Aalayam
Established by the New Zealand Hindu Temple Society with Mr Ilango and Jeevan Siva as the Founders in 1996, the Thiru Subramaniam Aalayam, located at 69 Tidal Road in Mangere, South Auckland, is a unique place of worship.
Thousands of people from Auckland, Hamilton and other parts of the country visit the Temple, which is open on all days of the week from 10 am to 1 pm and from 6 pm to 9 pm.
Mr Ilango said that Temple conducts all Poojas and Abhishekams to the reigning Deity Lord Murugan and other Deities, including Lord Ganesha, Shivalingam, Lord Venkateswara, Ayyapan, Amman (Parvathi), Hanuman, Saraswathi and the Navagrahas.
“Daily Aarthi is held at 11 am and 7 pm. Special Poojas are conducted on every Sankatahara Chaturthi, Sashti and Pradosham. We request devotees to contact us for bookings. Other organisations including the Vedanta Study Circle, the Saibaba Temple and Ramayan Mandali regularly conduct Bhajans and Spiritual Discourses at the Temple,” he said.
Mr Ilango said that as well as religious activities, the Temple undertakes several other activities in the name of ‘Aalayam Community Service.’
These include Radio Programme on Saturdays at 830 am on Planet FM 104.6 (under ‘Aalayam Broadcasting’), Spiritual Discourses, Cricket Matches for the youth under ‘ACS Sports Club.’
For bookings and further information, please contact Raja Guru on (09) 027-2721651.
