Here is Bodhinatha on Day Four of the Himalayan Academy Study Retreat in Malaysia. It was December 25th there and Pancha Ganapati day. Bodhinatha paid a visit to the a nearby orphanage which is assisted by one of the funds of the Hindu Heritage Endowment: the orphanage is called the Manjung Hindu Sabha Ashram.

Here the priests greets our Satguru and does an archana…

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At home here on Kauai, it’s another quiet day… well, in terms of people and activities. But Mother nature has been very busy: it rained continuously throughout the night and all morning. Incredible as it may sound, Waialeale Mountain may register over 800 inches of rain for 2004.

In side the monastery, everyone is busy. Bodhinatha completed the editing work on the next educational Insight section of Hinduism Today… a piece on Parenting, which is slated for a 30,000 copy press run along side the next issue of Hinduism Today. Bodhinatha’s emphasis on educational literature is having a major impact… see more news on this below.

Continuing with our captions from the Malaysia retreat and also more incoming news on the Tsunami….

It was Pancha Ganapati. The Altar was decorated with gifts prepared by the Singaporian’s for the children at Manjung Hindu Sabha Ashram orphanage.

Tsunami Relief News

Back here at the Aadheenam, fund raising is going well for the Thirunavukkarasu Nayanar Gurukulam orphanage that was destroyed in Batticaloa. On behalf of all the boys there we thank everyone who is sending in these donations.

At the Manjung Hindu Sabha Ashram, where a sign hangs informing everyone of the inauguration by Shanmuganathaswami.

Satguru gave a small speech and them gave the
Pancha Ganapati gift to all the 40 children in the Ashram.

Satguru also presented the Ashram with a hamper of things for the children. Preceding that, the temple priest honored Satguru with a shawl.

Participant from Klang, Pushpajaran takes a shot with the children…

More children from the Ashram…

Back from the visit, Bodhinatha holds a special workshop for the youths, answering their queries on how to effectively face problems in their daily life..

It was an interesting day for all of us..

Tsunami “Miracles”

The South Eastern tip of India is home to some very holy places of Saivism. Being buffered by Sri Lanka, they witnessed the pre-tsunami water recession, but not the subsequent wave of destruction. While scientifically explainable, it was also viewed as a divine protection by many. This report from India:

“Dear Gurudevaji,

South india was affected very severly in tsunami particularly costal areas.

Affected areas: Chennai surrounding area up to Chengalpet, Nagapattinam [worst hit areas] Kanyakumari, [those who were taking a bath in the sea are all missing] Tuticorin and most of the coastal areas.

Not affected areas are the only two holy places in South India: Rameshwaram Shiva’s temple. It is an island. The sea water receeded about one kilometer while the tsunami damaged other places. Thiruchendur: Lord Murugan temple. Same thing happened here also. Sea water went back into the sea about one kilometer inside the sea. No casualties. Not a single person was affected. None other then God….”

Yours V. Chandraamogan

Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, India

Gurudeva’s work is starting to penetrate the next generation of Indian Americans… more and more of whom were born here… thanks to the on-going efforts of Kulapati Easan Katir… he sends two pictures and a brief update from South California:

The Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh invited Saiva Siddhanta Church’s Kulapati Easan Katir to talk at their West Coast Hindu Youth Camp this week in Malibu, California.

Here he is speaking to the Young Men’s Camp “Hindu Dharma — Hope for a Troubled World”. Co-speaker at the camp was Shri N.V. Raghuram, director of Vyasa Yoga Research Centre in Bangalore.

At the separate Young Ladies’ Camp, Easan spoke on the subject of “Are All Religions the Same?”

A lively Question and Answer session follow diving into questions about past lives, dreams, and faith.

The HSS in America has distributed 5,000 copies of Himalayan Academy’s “Ten Questions….” pamphlet. Most members are avid readers of Hinduism Today.

This final report on December, 2004 events in Mauritius:

Our report there writes: “The Park is growing well in beauty as well as in spirituality. Many high minded Hindus are slowly being attracted there. Gurudeva’s vision is being fulfilled…”

We sending the last Ganesha Homa photo series for 2004. This December Homa, sponsored by the Mardemootoo/Pallanee kutumbas, was another soothing experience for all those who attended. As usual on such Sundays the Ganesha Mandapam is always full with devotees coming from various parts of Mauritius.

Our ladies singing devotional songs which uplifts everyone.

After the Homa, Kulamata Sornumbal Mardemootoo addressed the devotees on the topic of Pancha Ganapati celebrations….

One inspired lady humbly gave an inspiring testimony about how Lord Ganesha made things practically possible in her family life…

Our dedicated youth are now taking care to offer the sacred flame to devotees after the final arthi.

The Beedassy family from the centre served food on that Sunday to everyone present. Many Hindu families are now coming forward to offer lunch during these Sunday Homa events.

From the right Kulamata Sornumbal Mardemootoo, Mrs Kownden and Tirumati Vijayam Arnasalon enjoying the meal…

Tirumati Indranee Ramsamy and Tirumati Teeruvumbala Devi Iyaloo…

This is Venilla, daughter of Kulapati Manon, married to Sivaneswaren in Malaysia, soon to be a mother, now staying for a while in Mauritius, as is traditional, to have her first child in her mother’s home.

She looks bright and happy to be back to the Park where she has danced Bharat Natyam on so many events! She has a message for her dear ones: ”

Hi to my beloved husband, families and friends in Malaysia, I miss you all. See you soon!

Himalayan Academy student Kiran Kheerodhur and his fiancee….

Himalayan Academy student Saminaden Veerapen with his wife and new born child.

Putrika Basanti Mardemootoo and Putrika Dipanjali Mardemootoo, lovely daughters of Sivakumaren and Kavita. They love helping at the Mini Mela during the Ganesha Homa event…