Kauai Aadheenam

The black line shows the placement of the new path around Iraivan Temple

Here we see the old dirt road, and the arrival of asphalt to build the new one.

Many hundreds of loads were required over the months.

The material was stockpiled nearby then carefully placed. It lifts the elevation of the road, providing good watershed even in strong rains.

After the 12-ton compactor has pounded the material.

The new road through the wild guava.

Up a small hill to Tirumular’s murti.

Past Mango Pond and around a corner.

Chellappaswami keeps an eye on this section.

Paths and roads have been the great enablers for the Romans, the Vedic explorers, the early American pioneers, indeed all who wanted to go more than a hundred feet in a day. And the evolution from cow path, to walking trail, to dirt road to paved highway has marked mankind’s progress. So it will surprise no one that paths at the monastery are similarly evolving. For decades we had unimproved dirt paths and roads. A few years back we were able to upgrade a the major arteries, but until recently most access around the land (and visitor parking) was on unimproved dirt, often pitted with potholes that filled with water and mud whenever it rained, which is often as you know.

Fast forward to today. The monks are still getting used to proper asphalt paths, made possible by an unexpected gift. In the past 3 months we have paved virtually all roads and paths, several miles worth, so even on rainy days we can drive safely and comfortably around the monastery. It has changed our life in the same way cross country highways changed the dynamics of transportation in all nations. The slideshow shows the progress and the slider gives a BEFORE & AFTER of the path that now circumnavigates Iraivan Temple.

An Animated Version on Several Platforms

A devotee in Australia was inspired to create a series of podcasts and videos for his young son and all children, teaching them the 64 qualities discussed by Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami in his Character Building Workbook. Such a great way to introduce the young ones to the qualities they need to develop into a fully-functioning human being. Of course, it’s a lifetime of work, but starting them now will set them on the Good Path early in life.

Check out these podcasts on various platforms:

• YouTube Video Playlist: Watch here
• Apple Audio Podcast: Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Amazon Audio Podcast (Please search for it)
• Podcastle (Please search for it)
• Spotify (Please search for it)

Our gallery below shows some screen shots from the YouTube animations.

Here is the Playlist on YouTube. Take one quality a day and discuss it with your children.
Great conversation tactic!

Each quality is presented with ways to cultivate the positive.

Bodhinatha gives three examples.

The opposite is also presented with examples.

At the end Bodhinatha quotes from Gurudeva on that very subject.

We have just received a surprise award for our two blogs. Of the 60 best Hindu blogs of the year 2025 Hinduism Today is number 4 and this TAKA blog is number 6. Not bad.

Hi Kauai’s Hindu Monastery Team,

My name is Anuj Agarwal, I’m the Founder of FeedSpot.

I would like to personally congratulate you as your blog Kauai’s Hindu Monastery Blog has been selected by our panelists as one of the Top 60 Hindu Blogs on the web.

This is the most comprehensive list of  Top 60 Hindu Blogs on the internet and I’m honored to have you as part of this!

We’ve created a badge for you to share with your audience. You can display it on your website or post it on social media to showcase this amazing milestone.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions. 

Best,
Anuj

Gurudeva blesses Mauritius as the top of the crate is removed to welcome him.

The team in Colorado made a super sturdy box, knowing it was traveling to the other side of the planet.

The truck delivers it to the Spiritual Park from the airport. Note the informal worker footwear! Watch your toes.

Through the entry gates.

Heading to its temporary home.

Safely kept in the Devasthanam until the final display place is prepared.

It’s been said before, but Holly Young did a splendid job capturing Gurudeva’s spirit and form

Jai Gurudeva!

The 25-inch-tall bronze murti of our dear Gurudeva has taken the route he often flew, from Kauai to Mauritius. As CyberCadets know, there are three copies of this masterpiece, one here at Kauai Aadheenam entrance, one at the temple in Alaveddy, Sri Lanka, and now a third in Mauritius awaiting installation in the months ahead. One monk commented that this is Gurudeva’s way to mystically tie together his shishyas in the three nations. One day we may see one in Malaysia as well. And elsewhere?

Gurudeva watches as we make offerings to his tiruvadi (sandals)

This is the home shrine altar with a feast that was prepared for him
and placed as naivedyam

Milk is offered

Then yogurt

Panchamritam: Five fruits and sweets

Sandalwood

Oils

Honey

Lemon and lime

Holy Ash, vibuthi

Then decorated with flowers for the final arati.

On January 10 the monks and members gathered in Kadavul Temple to witness the 310th Chitra Pada Puja, so the moon has circled Earth 310 times since his Great Departure. On that day in home shrines around the world devotees performed their own pujas. We have never shown that and so today we glimpse a devotees puja, complete with artistic images.

The Kularnava Tantra speaks of the Satguru’s feet most eloquently: “According to tradition, the totality of the Satguru is contained within his feet. All nerve currents terminate there. The vital points of every organ of his bodies—inner astral, inner mental and soul—are there. Touch the feet and we touch the spiritual master.

The big toe on the left foot gives the most grace. The left leg is the revealing grace, and the big toe of that leg connects to the guru’s pituitary gland, the entrance to the door of Brahm, deep within the sahasrara chakra where he instantaneously merges with Siva in the state of Parasivam. The vibration of the Satguru can be felt through gently touching his sandals. In doing so, one subtly tunes into the actual physical feet, astral feet, mental feet, soul feet of the preceptor.“