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The day began with our regular homa and satsang afterward. But today we were graced by the presence of the venerable Sri Sri Swami Bua Maharaj. Swami has been coming to our Guru Purnima celebrations three years in a row. Reputed to be 111 years old or more, Swami has perfect eye sight, a bright wit and sharp mind. One of the world's foremost exponents of Hatha Yoga, and a living example of that great Hindu science, Swami continues to travel to South America and give talks and lectures. Today he brought with him his endorsement of the new book by Gurudeva, called Living with Siva, which he has painstaking written and edited and placed in a beautiful folder. We will share with you excerpts from his endorsement tomorrow.
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Swami presented Gurudeva also with a plaque, praising him in Tamil.

After our big "party" yesterday, the vibration today was one of quiet bliss as all the close devotees and monks were together for homa and a day of rest and tranquility after having done a lot of work. The vibration of the temple was one of deep meditation during the worship.

We are taking you back to yesterday to fill in the story of our "open house." events... here is the big tent put up just adjacent to Iraivan Temple that held about 380 people for the presentations of the day.

The Honorable Mayor Maryanne Kusaka performed the traditional lighting of the lamp that inaugurates Hindu gatherings.

The main feature of the morning was Gurudeva's presentation to the island of Kauai specially carved signs in red granite of the themes from the past few years of "vision work" that island leaders have been focusing on.

These are small representations of the giant stone signs Gurudeva had commissioned in India.

This is red granite, highly polished with the wonderful slogan:

"One Island, Many Peoples, All Kauaians"

Another one says, "Aloha, it's Kauai's Spirit."

Guests of honor today included our own silpis. Sadhaka Thondunatha explains to the crowd about their great tradition and the building of the Iraivan temple.

We are reminded of days of yore when the Rishis and Maharaja's worked together to maintain a dharmic society.

After the formal presentations came dance performances by Neesha Alahan.

And Shatrini, a young lady from Canada, also performed. She had flown all night, just arrived and still wanted to dance. It also happened to be her birthday, so Gurudeva honored her with a shawl and everyone sang "happy birthday". In the back is a lovely batik of Lord Nataraja, made in Chennai, India.

Our silpis had brought stones to the podium and the guests were given the opportunity to chip them and thus, be a small part of building the temple. Our Honorable Mayor tries her hand at the art as Shanmuga Sthapati looks on in amusement.

Everyone got a chance and this young man really got inspired!

Afterward we had the joyful honor of feeding everyone. Here is our former mayor, Joanne Yukimura. Our family members, Chinnu from India and our monks had over 27 different items in the line up. We estimated that probably another 50 guests came late, just for lunch and we think we may have fed nearly 500 people.

As people were waiting in line to receive their lunch, we had a preview showing under our big banyan tree of the documentary movie "San Marga" that was filmed in March by Martine Thom and her crew of the "White Turtle Productions" from Vancouver, Canada. The movie is still in the editing stages, but is a lovely presentation of our monastic life which the guest enjoyed while waiting. The final cut will be ready in a month or so.

Vadai, several rice dishes, curries, chapatis, idli, two kinds of coconut chutneys, dahl, five different pickles from hot to salty to sweet, papadams, yogurt. . . the warning was "don't ask for too much at the beginning!"

It was a joyful finale to a very happy day with the feeling of "island family," permeating the crowd.

Moving on.... today's events comprised outings for the group. Everyone, including our silpis, went on the famous "Smith's Boat Ride to Fern Grotto" on the Wailua River.

We all became the proverbial tourists bound for that magical place up the river.

Our silpis are feeling really overjoyed as they are having one amazing experience after another here on our little island of Kauai. In India, as stone workers their social status is that of "mere labourer" while senior architects receive all the attention and respect. Suddenly these humble men find themselves looked up to as "master craftswmen from India" which indeed they are!

The famed Fern Grotto consists of an ancient indentation in the face of a hill with heavy fern growth and the last falls of the Wailua River, just before it widens and flows out to the sea.

Here, one can go inside the "cave" like area as the river flows over you, out in front. It is an important tourist attraction for our small island and a favorite wedding spot for those who like to "tie the knot" in Hawaii.

One of our pilgrims generously sponsored a lunch at Panda Gardens restaurant for everyone. It was the first time for some using chopsticks, which brought some humorous moments with our silpis. A well deserved time of relaxation and fellowship for this small band of Siva Thondars!

12 Glorious Days, 8 Enchanting Countries and One Chance in a Lifetime! Imagine spending 12 days with one of the greatest spiritual leaders of this century. Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami will be leading this exotic educational and spiritual voyage himself combining the mystical path of Indian spirituality with a superlative retreat from it all. Take advantage of this one chance to be in close proximity with a living master. Come with us on an inner and outer voyage to Northern Europe and Russia. www.innersearch.org