Today was the first tour day after Sadhu Paksha and the big day in the middle of holidays… and what a crowd!

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, Sunday, Dec 25th.

We must have had 150 people! Visitors Everywhere!

Of course we are in the middle of Pancha Ganapati and want to thank the generous people who sent all the sweets and gifts to the monks!

We also want to share with you this lovely story from someone who took Gurudeva’s teachings to heart….

Greetings to all the monks from our blissful part of the world – Mt. Joy, Pennsylvania

Happy Pancha Ganapati! Although I have not formally communicated with you recently, I mindfully link in with the Aadheenam on a regular basis through TAKA. There have been so many changes in my life since I first picked up Gurudeva’s books 5 years ago. I continue to learn with each life lesson sent my way.

I write to you this evening to share my daughter’s 5th grade class Pancha Ganapati activities, which we want to be connected with the activities of Pancha Ganapati happening at Kauai Aadheenam. [continued below]

This is Professor John Lydgate. His family have been on the island of Kauai for several generations are true pillars of our community. John has a deep background in Asian studies, culture and history from many years of study and teaching in some of the big universities in the eastcoast USA and has been to India. He returned to Kauai a decade or so ago and is now devoting his energies to the island. He likes to bring visitors to the temple and occasionally invites the monk to speak at his classes at Kauai Community College.

My children attend the Susquehanna Waldorf School in Marietta, PA. As part of the 5th grade curriculum, the children study Ancient India. My daughter Victoria’s teacher, Mrs. Elser, is a spiritually beautiful woman who is open to provide her school children with a vast array of experiences. I introduced her to Pancha Ganapati and ask her if she would be open to celebrate this festival during this year’s holiday season. I provided her with details of this festival and she agreed to celebrate Pancha Ganapati without a hesitation.
[ cont. below]

Another guest, in rapture…. One Hindu lady on pilgrimage said today: “It is like some dream come true!”

We started our festival on Sunday because our last day of school before Winter break is Thursday. So we are a little ahead of you… today is day three. Sunday, we started our festival with activities among the families….. Monday’s activities was focused among the members of the class appreciation for others and forgiveness of misdeeds where emotionally expressed among the 11 students and teacher. The teacher stated there was not a dry eye in the class. It was a wonderful bonding experience for all members of the class.

Today, day three… we expanded our energies out into the local community with our teacher, students, and parents going to a local nursing home. Tomorrow, we will celebrate with much song and a dance directed by our music teacher who is trained in many International dances and songs. Thursday we will conclude our festival with a glorious feast and the sharing of handmade and some thoughtfully purchased gifts.

I ask that our whole school and community be uplifted by 5th grade’s thoughtful activities of Pancha Ganapati.

Sincerely,

Cindi Hughes, Europe Innersearcher 2001

Only two weeks before departure for the other side of the equator. Check Bodhinatha’s travel page to see the itinerary and also other important events.

Click here for Satguru Travels page.

And if you are not familiar with Pancha Ganapati, read about it here in Chapter 15 of the book “Loving Ganesha.”

You can also download a colorful PDF in which Bodhinatha explains the festival in detail.

Dr. Shun K. Sunder, one of Gurudeva’s long time service oriented devotees, who lives in California visits Sri Lanka a couple of times a year to run free medical clinic for the people of Sri Lanka who are in need. Whenever he visits Sri Lanka he takes the opportunity to spend time with the children at the Sri Subramuniya Kottam. Here are some photos that Dr. Shun shared with us on his recent visit to the Sri Subramuniya Kottam.

Photo: Children of the Sri Subramuniya Kottam

Kottam Trustees Rishipathi Kanagaratnam and Mrs. Sivalosani Kanagaratnam

Dr. Shun K. Sunder with the Kottam Children