Blog 16/07/2024 Celebrating Sathya Narayana Puja at Shiva Temple Manchester   Introduction On the 6th of July, 2024, the Shiva Temple in Manchester hosted a grand Sathya Narayana Puja, a significant Hindu ritual dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The event saw an impressive turnout, with over 300 devotees gathering to partake in the spiritual proceedings. The puja was meticulously organised and led by the esteemed priests Sri Harish Udupa and his team, ensuring a seamless and devout experience for all attendees. Event Details The puja commenced promptly at 10:30 AM in the multi-purpose hall of Dixons Brooklands Academy, Manchester. The event was organised in association with the Kannada Community, reflecting a strong cultural collaboration and community spirit. The program was structured to include several key components of the traditional Sathya Narayana Puja, each designed to enhance the spiritual ambiance and engage the devotees deeply. Program Schedule The event followed a well-defined schedule, ensuring that all rituals were performed with due reverence and precision: Sangalpam: The ceremony began with the Sangalpam, a ritual where devotees made a solemn vow to perform the puja with devotion and sincerity. Bhajans: Following the Sangalpam, the atmosphere was filled with the melodious and devotional singing of bhajans, which are hymns dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Deepa Aradhana: The lighting of lamps, known as Deepa Aradhana, was performed, symbolizing the dispelling of darkness and the ushering in of divine light. Sri Sathya Narayana Katha Recital: A significant part of the puja was the recital of the Sri Sathya Narayana Katha. This story narrates the glory of Lord Sathya Narayana and the benefits of performing the puja. Maha Prasad: The event concluded with the distribution of Maha Prasad, a sacred offering of food that was shared among all attendees, symbolizing the blessings of the divine. Attendance and Participation The event was remarkable with more than 300 people in attendance. This large turnout underscored the community’s enthusiasm and devotion. The participation was not just limited to observing the rituals; many devotees actively engaged in the singing of bhajans and other ceremonial activities, creating a collective spiritual experience. Conclusion The Sathya Narayana Puja at Shiva Temple Manchester was a beautifully orchestrated event that brought together a large number of devotees in a shared expression of faith and devotion. The meticulous planning and execution by Mrs Rekha Iyer and her team, along with the enthusiastic participation of the community, made the event a memorable and spiritually enriching experience for all. The success of this event highlights the vibrant cultural and religious life within the Manchester Hindu community and sets a precedent for future gatherings. Acknowledgments The Trustees and Committee members of Shiva Temple Manchester extend their heartfelt gratitude to all the sponsors and donors whose contributions of Annadanam, flowers, and pooja items added to the sacredness and beauty of the ceremony. Special thanks are also due to the Kannada Community for their collaboration and support in making this event a grand success. For more details on upcoming events and how to participate, please visit the Shiv Temple Manchester’s official website.     Previous Post Recent Blogs July 2024 Sathya Narayana Puja at Shiva Temple Manchester 16/07/2024 April 2024 – Chithirai Thiruvizha with Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Thirukalyanam 30/04/2024 December 2023 – Second Year Annual Ayyappa Pooja 30/12/2023 November 2023 – Udayalur Dr Shri Kalyanaraman Concert 30/11/2023 October 2023 – Navaratri Celebrations 30/10/2023

Blog April 30, 2024 Celebrating Two Years of Shiva Temple Manchester: Chithirai Thiruvizha with Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Thirukalyanam in Manchester At Shiva Temple Manchester we recently celebrated our second anniversary and  annual Chithirai Thiruvizha, marking another successful year of fostering cultural connection within the Manchester Hindu community. Chithirai Thiruvizha, also known as the Chitra Festival, is a significant event in the Tamil Hindu calendar. Held during the month of Chithirai (April-May), it commemorates the celestial wedding of Parvati, the embodiment of Shakti, to Shiva, the embodiment of Shiva. This divine union represents the sacred balance between the feminine and masculine energies in the universe. The Manchester event, held on April 27th, 2024, drew over 300 devotees to witness the sacred Meenakshi Sundareswarar Thirukalyanam. This ceremony, led by Lambothara Kumarasamy Kurukkal of Wales Kalpaga Vinayagar Devasthanam, recreated the grandeur of the celestial wedding in meticulous detail. The day’s festivities began with a “Sangalpam,” a vow or resolution made by devotees to participate in the ceremony. This was followed by the core wedding rituals, including “Archanai” (worship) and devotional “Bhajans” (songs). Live “Nadhaswaram” music, a traditional South Indian wind instrument performance, by Sri Senthil Kumar and Sri Praveen Kumar further enhanced the spiritual atmosphere. Following the ceremony, a grand “Maha Prasadham” (blessed food) was served, generously sponsored by Sai Spice restaurant and caterers. This communal meal provided a wonderful opportunity for devotees to connect and celebrate together. The dedication of sponsors, volunteers, devotees, committee members, and trustees was instrumental in making the event a success. The organisers extend their heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed. The celebrations extended beyond the temple walls with a community badminton tournament held in the afternoon at St Ambrose College, Manchester. This event, a fantastic success with 24 participating teams, saw families and young children come together in a spirit of friendly competition. The winners, Mr. Selvaraj Blessan and Mr. Praveen Kumar, are to be congratulated, as well as the runners-up, Mr. Thamarai Kannan and Mr. Pradeep. Looking ahead, the Shiva Temple Manchester enters its third year with a focus on promoting both spiritual well-being through temple prayer activities and physical well-being through community events focusing on health and well-being initiatives. This commitment to holistic well-being reflects the temple’s dedication to serving the diverse needs of the Manchester community. For more information and to support the Shiva Temple Manchester, visit their donation link:  www.shivatemplemanchester.co.uk https://tinyurl.com/shivatemplemanchester Previous Post Recent Blogs April 2024 – Chithirai Thiruvizha with Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Thirukalyanam April 30, 2024 December 2023 – Second Year Annual Ayyappa Pooja December 30, 2023 November 2023 – Udayalur Dr Shri Kalyanaraman Concert November 30, 2023 October 2023 – Navaratri Celebrations October 30, 2023 September 2023 – Ganesh Chathurthi Festival September 30, 2023