Ugadhi Celebrations at Sri Meenakshi Temple
Devotees listen to the reading of Panchanga Sravanam at MTS
By Padma Golla
PEARLAND: Manmatha Nama Samvatsaram had a great start at Sri Meenakshi Temple. Despite the inclement weather, Ugadhi was celebrated by over 2000 people throughout the day. The day started with Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam attended by over 300 people. During the Alankaram Panchangam for the New Year was read by Priest Pavan Kumar in Telugu and Executive Officer Vatsa Kumar in Kannada. After the Puja ended, Ugadhi Pachchadi prepared by the Mutyala family was served. A nice buffet lunch was served by the temple to the attendees of the puja. Devotees who brought Prasadam distributed it during lunch.
Devotees kept coming throughout the day until the temple closed. There was second big Pooja at 6.30 PM followed by a second Panchanga Sravanam in Telugu for those who could not make the morning event.
Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam started the New year’s day in an enchantingly auspicious mood
Ugadhi follows the lunisolar calendar and marks the beginning of the new astronomical cycle or the new year in several States in India. Each State follows a slightly different astronomical cycle and this date signifies the beginning of the year for Telugu, Kannada and Marathi communities. Sri Meenakshi Temple serves the religious needs of a diverse group of people from India and will be celebrating the New Year for Tamil and Malayalam communities on 14th of April.