After protecting Kadavul Temple’s wooden roof from the elements for about 40 years, it’s finally time to remove the monier tiles, which had begun to crack here and there, causing some water damage underneath. They will be replaced with shingle tiles after conducting any necessary repairs of the wood ceiling beams underneath and placing a new layer of thick plywood and tar paper. As can be imagined, this project causes quite a disruption to the flow of visitors who normally attend puja and mill about throughout the mornings. To be fully on the safe side, we have shut down public access to the temple and surrounding area for the duration of the project.
Yesterday was the first day of work for the contracted team. The first photo shows how much tile they have removed from one side (under the blue tarp). The job is estimated to last a couple weeks or longer, pending discovery of needed repairs or weather issues. Just today, it rained a fair amount (needed by plants after a dry spell), so the workers can only resume when that stops.
During this month’s celebration of Ardra nakshatra, and following our special abhishekam to Lord Nataraja, Sadhaka Sabānatha received his Samaya Diksha. This diksha is the receiving of the sacred Panchakshara Mantra along with special instructions for daily japa from one’s Satguru. In the Saiva Siddhanta tradition, this moment of diksha marks a pivotal step in the soul’s long journey. It is when Lord Śiva’s Power of Revealing Grace flows through the Satguru, opening the inner door and granting the devotee both the opportunity and the means for liberation.
Sadhaka receives instructions for chanting the Namah Śivaya Mantra
During the last retreat, it was the final day for our taskforcers Rajendra and Naavalan. To mark the occasion, Sannyasin Siddhanathaswami and Sadhaka Shankaranatha planned an outing for them. This time, they brought them to the majestic Waimea Canyon. We asked ChatGPT what it thinks about the canyon, and here’s what it said:
“Waimea Canyon, often called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” is one of Kauai’s most breathtaking natural wonders. Stretching about 10 miles long, 1 mile wide, and over 3,600 feet deep, the canyon showcases layers of vivid red, brown, and green rock, shaped over millennia by volcanic activity and erosion from the Waimea River.”
Both of them and other task force had a wonderful time. Below is a video of the scenery. Aum!
This is a photo from 2023, showing the need to renovate the tank, built in 1959 and painted once since then.
After draining the water, workers grind off the old concrete
The rains slowed the progress, so a tent was installed.
A shot of Sambandar dancing with delight.
He seems to enjoy the new fountain.
The large Kamachi Amman Temple tank in Kanchipuram
Projects can be great teachers of patience and persistence. Behold the Teacher of Tolerance, the Preceptor of Perseverance, the Lecturer of Long-Suffering, our very own Kadavul Temple Pool.
It was three years ago that we began retiling the 1959-era pool. It had served us well and was ready for a new life. In our February 2023 contract the company estimated in writing that it would take 2 1/2 months. Here we are 2 1/2 years later and it was just completed. For all that time tens of thousands of visitors saw just a green construction-site barrier that concealed the work, and hid from view the fact that workers were not showing up and progress had stalled. Karmas held back the team, and we had to let them go.
In February of this year we hired another team and their first work was to demolish all of the inferior work of their predecessors. But they did it efficiently and work proceeded apace. Turns out to get a big project done it helps to show up every day! And they did. Completing it a few days ago. It is quite beautifully done and visitors can once again enjoy the presence of water near the temple, an important element in temple sacred architecture. Jai to Josh and his team, especially the ever-jolly Chico who made us some three-star Michelin hot sauce. A small celebratory party is planned for the completion.
In the sacred geography of South India, temple tanks are not just water reservoirs—they are portals to the divine. Called pushkarini, theertham or kulam, these tanks invite the heavens and cleanse the soul. They are places where pilgrims bathe or just wash feet and hands before entering the sanctum, where festivals come alive with floating lamps, and where lotuses are encouraged to grow.
Water is a symbol and necessity for life. Temple tanks in India hold centuries of devotion and the blessings of countless rituals. With our new tile installation, we restore not only beauty but sanctity—inviting reflection, reverence and return to the sacred cycle of nature and spirit. As the sun rises over the newly laid tiles, the tank once more becomes a living mandala of worship and wonder. Ours has a small murti of the child saint Sambandar, dancing playfully and blissfully as he beholds God Siva. It is said that later in life he lead processions of devotees, singing and dancing through towns and temples, awakening people’s faith and love of God Siva.
In this upadesha, Satguru shares the second half of Gurudeva’s profound description of the fifth dimension, which relates to the vishuddha chakra. “If we strew clothing from room to room, that disorder is always nagging awareness, bringing us too far out into external consciousness and plunging us into the mire of ‘I should haves’ and ‘Well, it really doesn’t matter.’ Till the outer dimensions are ordered and stabilized in crystal clear patterns of daily life, we never go deep. The foundation must be built first, and it must be strong. It is not advisable to overlook the importance of the most basic and ordinary daily chores and activities. No one wants to build the rest of the house, only to have to take it down later to repair weaknesses in the foundation.”
Recently, Madan Ganesh from Bengaluru created a small web app that specialized in playing Master Course audio lessons. Note that it currently draws on the formerly non-Gurudeva-narrated version of Dancing with Siva audio lessons, but that will be updated in the near future. You can access it here or click the image below.
