Sun Two of our phase… a bright beautiful clear day….

The Ekadanta Kulam reported on their activities… which are primarily preparing for the up-and-coming Guru Purnima and Open House. RSVP responses to invitations are over 200 now. And if that is any indication, it will be mean possibly as many as 700 people for the Open House. A lot to do!

The Balasubrahmanya and Mala Masti family came by at the end of the morning, on vacation from San Diego. They heard about us through word of mouth and were very eager to visit.

It was Subrahmanya’s birthday yesterday and he felt extra blessed to be here. They were accompanied by Mala’s parents who are visiting from Mumbai, and also uncle.

The family is originally from Coimbatore and also Tiruchendur area. Their family Deity is Murugan.

They also were delighted to see Rudraksha trees and their blue fruited seeds for the first time.

One of their relatives is himself a silpi, so they had a great time connecting with Shanmugam Sthapati and his team. As we drove away from Iraivan Temple, Balasubrahmanya remarked, “I do not feel like I am in North America right now.”

Swami Tejomayananda receives the Hindu Renaissance Award from Hinduism Today. Presented by Hinduism Today correspondent, Archana Dongre at the recent opening of the new Chinmaya Mission center in Los Angeles.

He is garlanded by one of the swamis of the center there.

The plaque reads:

“2005 Hindu Renaissance Award Presented by Hinduism Today to Hindu of the Year, 2005, Sri Sri Swami Tejomayananda, spiritual leader of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide, for fulfilling the vision of his guru, Swami Chinmayananda, guiding the Chinmaya Mission’s exemplary teaching programs, inspiring the dynamic expansion of the monastic order (including new swamis from the diaspora) and teaching hundreds of thousands to be better Hindus.”

At home in the morning monks discuss the serious issue of mangos falling on the ground. The ancient, giant mango tree in front of the publications buildings is dropping them by the dozens daily. Sadly they are so high up it is dangerous to pick them. So we make do with finding those few that fall without being damaged.

Guests are often surprised to see these all over the ground… and ideas start flowing: ranging from putting a giant tarp underneath the tree and having them all roll down to one spot… hiring a helicopter to blow directly over the tree while all 20 of us stand underneath with baskets… hiring a specially trained team of monkeys etc…

Another Aadheenam Paal (milk) product: this time Bleu Cheese….