BY JYOTHSNA HEGDE

This March 29th was a special day for Hanuman devotees of Atlanta, Alpharetta in particular as a new Hanuman Temple came into existence amidst customary deity installation rituals of Sri Bhaktanjaneyaswami Pratishta Mahotsavam. The Hanuman Prana Pratistha was performed by Sri Satyanarayanacharyulu Dittakavi and Srimannarayana Puranam. Several hundred people attended the event.

The opening ceremony of Hanuman Temple on Cumming Street in Alpharetta (next to Amma Kitchen) began at 10 AM with Sri Vishvaksena aaradhanam, followed by Punya vachanam and Vaastu Shanti. The prayers and rituals continued in the evening with Sri Vishvaksena aaradhanam, Punyavachanam, Rakshabandanam, Ankurarpana, Panchagavyadhi vasam and Sayyadi vasam. The elaborate services extended into Tuesday March 30th with Agni Pratishta, Kalasa Sthapana, Mulamantra vahanam, Snapanam, Pradhamaradhana, Samoohika Archana, Mantrapushpam, and distribution of Teertha and Prasadam. The evening had a special Archana, Tamalapakula Archana or Archana with Beetle leaves and also Sindoora Archana. The Prana Pratishta was well attended by over 100 devotees. 

Priest Seshu Puranam tells us that the Hanuman Temple will be open from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM with Aarathi at 11:30AM and 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM with Aarathi at 7:30 PM. He adds that the temple also provides Lalitha Sahasranama Paarayana on Fridays at 7:00 PM, Vishnu Sahasranama Paarayana on Saturdays at 7:00 PM, Hanuman Chalisa Paarayana on Sundays 6:30 PM all by devotees. You may contact Priest Seshu Puranam at 404.468.8711 for further details.

The Hanuman Temple also offers Yoga and Meditation classes. Meditation Classes will be conducted by Stephanie and timings will be scheduled soon. The Board of directors include Dr Subramanya Bhatt and Annapurna, Dr Krishna and Anupama and Mr Satish and Manjula. Trusties include Mr Ramki, Mr Rakesh, Mr Prasad nakarikanti, and Mr Rajat Puri. Priest Seshu Puranam tells us that more are willing to join in. 

Alpharetta, while brimming with Indian restaurants and grocery stores was clearly open for a Temple and the Hanuman temple comes as a pleasant, welcome surprise to all the devotees across Atlanta. Combined with Yoga and Meditation classes, the Hanuman Temple has a lot to offer and hope it continues to serve the community for a long time to come.