NOTICE: Bodhinatha’s darshan meeting in Maryland were some how missed because TAKA did not upload properly that day… please go here to view the meetings he had there. Or use the archive option to go to May 29th TAKA….

We continue with more reports on the Atlanta event from Jutikadiva Sivaraja…

May 29- Satguru Bodhinatha and Shanmuganathaswami, presided over all the major events, and gave two talks today. One in the morning and one in the evening. Yes we are definitely very fortunate to have a living Satguru, come and give us some very important lessons, for us to advance in the path of dharma. Today’s talk by Bodhinatha was the the beauty of all the different sects in Hinduism, Bodhinatha mentioned that in the ancient Tamil scriptures there is a recording of the scriptures that within Hinduism itself there are at 11 major denominations, he gave us a brief introduction on the major beliefs of the Saiva, Vaishnava, Smarta and Shakta sects within Hinduism.

He stressed the major differences between the Vaishnava and Saiva traditions and the the importance of having a separate place of worship for each belief. Like in the Hindu Temple of Atlanta where we have two separate temples deedicate to the two separate Supreme Beings, one for Lord Venkatheswara and one for Lord Shiva. He further added that this allows for the preists to freely pratice their traditions in each temple, without restrcitions, limitations and fully according to it’s own traditions. This also helps children, who may be naturally confused when they see 2 gods- supreme being within the same temple. He also praised how both the Siva and Vaishnava priests for working so well together who help each other whenever the oppurtunity is there to help.

In the morning Daisy a beautiful calf was brought in for the ceremonies for the eye-opening ceremonies. She was rescued from a slaughterhouse and was just a love to have around, she loved the camera, not shy at all!!

As you can see she wanted to connect with all the cyber cadets out there.

One of the Siva priest is passing rice nd some gems for blessings by Bodhinatha.

Passing the rice and jewels to other devotees, passing it to the current temple president Mr. Aruna Prasad Kancherla, who gave a very insightful intoroduction of Bodhinatha the day before.

Placing of the gems under the murthi.

Bodhinatha places the rice inside the stone.

Mahadeva Kala Bhairava murti is invoked into his new home in the Siva temple.

All the devotees around Daisy, as she is the most enjoyable thing to have, in front of the Homa tent. Dr. Raghu the past temple president, guides Daisy as his wife Mrs. Raghu is holding the feeding bottle.

The eye opening ceremony where all the Utsava Murthis are lined up for their first contacts with the Bhuloka, so here is Daisy and Bodhinatha, the first auspicious things for them to see…

Passing of the Arathi.

Utsava Murthis which will find their new homes by Mahadeva Subramuniya in the inner sanctorum.

A very powerful presence was felt close to the murthis as the ceremonies occured.

Bodhinatha gives a talk shortly after the ceremonies.

Abhisekham is performed to the murthis, from the Kalasas charged at the temple.

This ceremony transforms the shakti and energy concentrated into the kalasas onto the murthis.

Bodhinatha performs the Abhisheka.

Shanmuganathaswami performs abhisheka.

All the Utsava Murthis after Abhisheka, devotees now come and pour the Kalasa charged water on the murthis.

Shortly after the talks the Vaishnava priests bring Lord Venkatheswara around the temple in a grand Ratha Yatra around the temple, just like in India, surely we all did tapas that day, as we walked around in the hot sun, on the tar road.

Mrs. Mangalam and her son, Surinder by Gurudeva’s picture. Mrs. Mangalam was one of the Ammas that cooked for Bodhinatha and Shanmuganathaswami.

She sang a beautiful Natchintanai, as Bodhinatha was served lunch. Thank You Amma!

In the evening we all head back to yet another talk by Bodhinatha, this time Bodhinatha gives a talk on Siava Siddhanta apporach to sectanism, that is is to fully practise each sect within Hinduism and to have a broad minded approach to other sects within Hinduism. This allows for each individual to practise their beliefs fully and yet have a kind and compassion approach to others whose beliefs may not be of the same cultural and traditional background. Here is Dr. Raghu the past temple President who headed the temple during the construction of the Siva temple to where it is now. It is a beauty to watch how well the temple committee members get along and work so well together, it is a lesson for all of us. We won’t be here, with two beautiful maginificent temples, without the sacrifices and the dedication the temple commitee members and volunteers have showed us. Dr. Raghu also takes every oppurtunity he can to introduce the teachings and books by Guurdeva and especially the Hindu Heritage Endowments, he encouraged all of us to participate by giving even a small amount to start with to any Endowments which can earn income for perpetuity.

Temple devotees focused on Bodhinatha’s talk.

After the talk we head out to the around the clock homas that are being carried out by the priest.

Tyler meets with Bodhinatha, he came all the way from Tennessee and is interested in becoming a monk.

Bodhinatha, Shanmuganathaswami, to the right of Bodhinatha is Ganapati Sthapati who was the architect for the Siva temple, with Dr. Raghu on the left.

In the evening, Pradhyumna son of the head priest of the Balaji temple recites a verse from the Gita. He memorized many verses and chanted them lovingly with much devotion to Bodhinatha.

Saiva Siddhanta Church Malaysia Mother’s Day story continues….(some without captions as the picture speak for themselves…)

… more amma’s being garlanded

We will caption today’s photos with the story from Ratnavathy Sivalingam:

” It was a quaint Saturday weekend, the sun smiling warmly into all our homes, as each resident bustled busily with his/her own chores. Indeed, a very typical Malaysian weekend, to everyone’s eyes. But the devas, gazing at us from the inner worlds, beamed knowingly at the tinges of excitement brewing in each devotees’ homes. They saw all ammas preparing their ever-famous winning dishes for the night to come, and being totally unaware of the excited giggles and hushed whispers of their children who were, oh so busy, preparing for the night too!! Yes, the time of the year has come, and it’s yet again, another saga of the Malaysian SSC’s Mother’s Day Celebration!”

“As I stepped into Kulapati Dasan Sivananda’s home that evening, I couldn’t help noticing the party-like ambience surrounding me, and the air charging with so much energy. The first thing that stared right into my eyes was the large colorful poster flanking the wall, gleefully greeting me with “Happy Mother’s Day”. Balloons in hues of green, blue, white, pink, orange and silver arched the entrance, and strips of fuzzy crepe paper hung decoratively from the ceiling. The next person not failing to catch my attention was Bodhinatha, warmly smiling at me amidst the large garlands surrounding him. His eyes twinkled joyously, fully aware of the fabulous day ahead.”

“As the hour went by, more and more people kept filling Kulapathi Dasan’s home. All amma’s were dressed to befit a grand banquet. So lavish were their sarees, that it outshone the attires of others. The air was brimming with the promise of an amazing evening. It kicked of with a wonderful pada pooja performed by the host himself. Proceeding on after the pada pooja, each one of us took turns to prostrate to the tiruvadi whilst the rest sang natchinthanai, accompanied by our very own musicians, non-other than 12 year old Komal Deva, his 10 year old brother Lavanya Deva and their cousin, 13 year old Tirunyanam. ”

“The grand event of the day finally arrived. Everyone was rearranged to create a temporary performance area. Kulapathi Dhasan, being the MC, warmly welcomed and thanked all members for attending this special satsang in conjunction with mother’s day. All lights were then switched off, and all ammas were told to walk into the hall while a very famous song dedicated to mothers, was played on the radio. It was indeed, a scintillating moment to watch our hearts’ bevy of beauties taking the runway into their hands. As the lights were switched on again, each family came forward to pay homage to their mothers, by garlanding and presenting her with meticulously wrapped gifts. I could see the glee on some mothers’ faces as they received such special treatment. A short talk was then delivered by Kulapathi Appasamy, on the importance of a mother in our lives, and how she creates waves of changes in each individual. ”

“Next, was the time for performance and special respect by the husbands. This was the surprise of the day!!!!! All performances were interlaced with a special session for ammas and appas. Each appa was called forward to present amma with a card, a flower and, **ahem ahem**, a kiss on her forehead, or her cheek! The good natured Kulapathi Dhasan jokingly remarked that the choice of entirely theirs:). It was indeed, a very touching moment to watch all appas come forward to present the flower and card to the queen of their hearts. Indeed, the gentle hug and light kiss on the cheek spoke a thousand words of the intense love they’ve shared in all these years. I felt the lump rising in my throat when I saw appa fondly giving amma a peck on amma’s cheek. Each appa also spoke lovingly of his queen’s sacrifices in facing the challenges of raising a family. This was, indeed, the height of the event.”

Some very creative performances by the youth and children..

“The performances were no less, either. All children exuded an amassing amount of creative talents, ranging from son
gs, sketches, humor, and classical dance sequences.”

“It was just amazing watching all these little angels strut their stuff.”

Thambadigal Sivaram and Devika from Malaysia in the Easvan Param’s shrine room, being welcomed by the Golden Gate Mission.

Sivaram’s amma, Danalakshimi, and Devika, holding young Bodhi Param…

Raja Sivamani and the men get to know their new brother from Malaysia… Gurudeva’s vision of “Hands Across the Ocean” with cross-national marriages… manifesting…