The photo above was taken at the library of a Saiva Siddhanta center in Chennai, in the early 1980s. Here Gurudeva is presenting newly published copies of his Hindu Catechism and Creed to the Saivites of South India. These texts would later evolve into his book, Dancing with Siva.

Back on Kauai, today was Narayana and Sarojini Rao’s 50th wedding anniversary. Thirteen members of the Rao family came today to join in the celebrations… meeting with Bodhinatha..

Yesterday, they all went out to see the temple

Narayana and Sarojini’s youngest son, Hari, tries his hand at carving on one of the granite blocks.

The family enjoyed a tour of the grounds and of Iraivan Temple.

We moved our Sun One homa over to this morning to bless the couple. …

Narayana and Sarojini make offerings….

After participating in the wonderful homa Bodhinatha blessed the couple with a shawl…

Then…..a shower of flowers. Congratulations to you both for setting a fine example of married life.

When the whole family came to meet Bodhinatha, a special presentation was made by their 5-year old grandson, Vinay

He presented Bodhinatha with the balance of the family’s contribution towards sponsoring 2 bronze Siva murthis that will reside on the east wall of Iraivan’s sanctum. Grandpa wanted the child to make the presentation, seeing in him the future of Hinduism and wanting him one day to say, “I came to Kauai as a child with my family. We all helped build this grand Siva Citadel.”

Rao’s with their eldest daughter, Vanaja.

Smita Joshi from London is here on pilgrimage… She met with Bodhinatha in the Guru Peedam this morning. Welcome, Smita.