Sadhu Paksha… last day.. Tomorrow will be Tamil New Year so…

Happy New Year!

Saravananathaswami with a small poster to teach shum color meditation to our sishya…

Paramacharya Palaniswami has been inspired lately to work on gold-leafing the threshold of Kadavul temple. The contrast of black granite and pure gold is, well, pure gold.

This beautiful bl;ack granite stone was carved in India and sent along with other stones for Iraivan… The two lotuses in the middle have been leafed with 23-karat gold and the other four lotuses will be done in the days ahead. It takes about 30 minutes to do one. But what a wonderful entrance it makes to Siva’s Home! Those are trisulas (tridents) carved on the vertical side, by the way. They say that special devas live in the temple threshold, to protect from some and bless others. That is why we step over the stone, and never on it.Many devotees will bend to touch the threshold as they enter, in respect for the holy precincts they are about to enter. Tradition says we step over with our right foot as we enter, and with our left foot as we leave.

Iraivan from a distance

News from India with photos…

Kulapati Jiva Rajasankara writes:

I have attached herewith the photos of the two massive yalli pillars.

These pillars will be at the very most entrance to Iraivan, and all pilgrims will pass through them to see Siva.

Work is going on at a steady speed and will be able to complete earlier then the scheduled time.

Also we are now working on the giant lattice “windows” which form the walls at the entry. There are four of them.

They are 11 feet high and about six feet wide, and will give a traditional look and beautification to Iraivan. The main shaping is done and now we work on the intricate details.

Spring is here and the Nawiliwili blossoms are manifesting in abundance…