Today is the last day of this short 4-day phase. Things are quiet. A few pilgrim families have stayed on after the festivities and are enjoying a deep inner quiet time and also good long meetings with Bodhinatha.

END OF PHASE
Today is the last day of our phase.
This edition of TAKA will remain posted
over our coming two-day retreat,
until Dasami Tithi, Sun One, Friday, July 29th.

Tour day today… a good time to share some testimonies from Island folk who joined us for open house last week.

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“It was such a pleasure being with you on Saturday. I’m very impressed how the monks and swamis connect with people in a warm and friendly down-to-earth way. You make yourselves very “available” to people. That might be why you’re considered part of the community rather than ethereal beings who separate themselves by their seeming piety. You’re really wonderful.”

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“Hi! To all the monks!

What a glorious day last Saturday was! Your program was wonderful. I enjoyed the speakers and the young people and their music. I am sorry I had to leave early and didn’t have a chance to hear them play more, but I look forward to hearing them again at a future open house. I’m sorry I didn’t get to stay for lunch, but it smelled delicious and I heard from friends that it tasted as good as it smelled!

The gardens looked beautiful! I could tell you had spent many hours working on them. The plants were very cooperative to have so many blooms just in time for all your visitors too! The lotus with its stately, magnificent bloom was a wonderful greeter! The Brownea flower right at eye level was lovely and it was great to see so many of the bromeliads blooming. Your site just gets better and better every time I see it.

Adinatha gave me two Amorphophallus plants that I will love taking care of in hopes that they will one day produce blooms for us too.

The temple is looking so fantastic! It was fun to see all the new pieces that have arrived. In my life the churches I have known have always been stern, serious places so it is wonderful to see all the interesting, educational and fun things that are being incorporated into this temple. You have such a happy, peaceful place, thank you for sharing it with everyone!

Please know that I feel blessed to have all of you touch my life.

Aloha!

Two happy visitors on today’s tour…

Our reporter from Mauritius writes:

“We are happy to send a few photos of our Guru purnima celebration at our Ganesha Mandapam on last Thursday. It turned out into a very spiritual experience as the celebration took place in the quiet evening at the Park.”

Guru Purnima is earnestly looked forward by our Mauritian devotees and this year as usual all our local sishyas and HA students turned up at the Spiritual Park to celebrate this Guru festival together. The celebration took place on Thursday July 21 at 5.00 PM in the evening.

Despite this cold winter evening, sishyas arrived in time from all parts of the island and as far as the extreme south.

Guru Purnima celebration is a special moment for the sishya to feel closer to one’s Guru.

Brahmachari Vel Mahalingum and Sivarathna Manick doing the pada puja on the Holy Tiruvadi.

Our two most senior Kulapati Mardemootoo and Kulapati Koothan. In fact, the entire family of Gurudeva devotees in Mauritius are to be commended, congratulated and applauded for their tireless work. Each week they host hundreds of visitors. Each week they hold events and classes for the peoples of their island community. Each week they care for, groom and improve the property that Gurudeva founded. Their service is a powerful example for us all!

The sishyas sang Natchintanai and other Saivite bhajans led by Parmeswaran Ramsamy and Adi Sankara…

Everyone joined in the chanting of the Gurudeva’s 108 names during the ceremony.

Offerings of flowers, fruits and sweets lovingly brought by devotees are offered at the peetam…

The Tiruvadi beautifully decorated with flowers

The final arati… Everyone stood up and chanted the Guru mantra…

Kulapati Manon Mardemootoo giving a talk on the Guru…

We had a humble performance by the children of the Saturday Saivite Hindu Religion class of the Spiritual Park. They presented a sketch on the need for a Guru in the devotee’s spiritual life even if that devotee is a powerful king!

The sketch was based on a story from Merging With Siva. Poshan like a Satguru with his white beard.

The little princesses in the background…

Every child had a little role in the sketch. Here they are for a souvenir
photo for Bodhinatha!

Sishyas waiting for their turn to prostrate at the Holy Tiruvadi…

Every sishya came forward for the sacred flame. We can see Kul. Pallanee and Kul. Sivakumaren helping…

A much appreciated meal was served by Kulapati Kulagan Kutumba to everyone present.

Our youth helping at the food station…