It’s quiet at the Aadheenam… It feels like the lull before the big rain… the many guests about to arrive for Guru Purnima…

Two more pilgrims have arrived: Kaika and Nilufer Clubwala are here on their pilgrimage/vacation and are part of the pilgrims that are starting to come for Guru Purnima. They arrived on Kauai last night after a long flight from New York and this morning they came to the aadheenam to attend the 9am Siva puja.

Kaika is an excellent photographer. So, this morning Sadhaka Dandapani handed him the monastery’s camera for the rare opportunity to be the TAKA photographer.

These photos are through the eyes of Kaika Clubwala.

The palms lining the roadway to Iraivan are some of the tallest and fastest growing in the world.

Kailash Dhaksinamurthi and the Clubwallas have been on several Innersearch travel/study programs with us…

As we approach the blessed day of Guru Purnima next week… we have just received photos of the Guru Purnima held in Jaffna last year… Rishi Thondunatha says:

Jai Gurudeva! Without fail the Sri Subramuniya Kottam celebrates Guru Purnima and Gurudeva’s Birthday every year. The celebrations this year were especially joyous as the Kottam has seen much development since the cease fire in Sri Lanka in 2002. This year with the first phase of the Kottam’s temple, the Sri Shanti Lingam Temple completed there is much to celebrate. The children have been busy, enthusiastically preparing for the festival.

Here are some photos from the last year’s Guru Purnima at Sri Subramuniya Kottam

Sri La Sri Somasundara Paramachariya Swamigal Gurumaha Sannidanam of Nallai Adheenam arriving at the Sri Subramuniya Kottam for Guru Purnima.

Swami Chitrupananda of Sri Ramakrishna Sarada Mission arriving at the Sri Subramuniya Kottam for Guru Purnima.

Pada Puja at the Gurudeva’s Thiruvadi Temple.

Nallai Adheenam Karthar putting shawl and honoring the Kottam Othuvar Vannithamby Nadarajah.

Nallai Adheenam Karthar putting Vibuthi and honoring the Kottam Teacher Iyampillai Velautham

Kottam student putting Garland and honoring Sri Saimathaji.

Thavil , Nadaswaram players

We close today’s TAKA with visuals of Iraivan and the color gifts of of the flora that is in full bloom at this time of year.