Bodhinatha arrived home late this afternoon. He and Yoginathaswami are fine.

Meanwhile, we continue today with our photo retrospective on the events in Montreal.

Here is Bodhinatha in the middle of a lull between ceremonies when he was given time to have a youth seminar.

Ravi Gurukal from Tiruthani Murugan Temple, Tamil Nadu. He met Gurudeva in Fiji during the Nadi Murugan Temple Kumbhabhisekam. He has Dancing and Living with Siva books that he received from Gurudeva. Was very excited to meet Bodhinatha.

A very senior Sivachariyar from Kanchi Kailasanatha Temple, Tamil Nadu. Rajappa Sivachariyar probably one of the few living Sivachariyar who are very familiar with the Saiva Agamas and their uses in ceremony. He is the chief priest officiating the Maha Kumbhabhisekam.

A scene at the Yagasala.

Group of silpis posing with Bodhinatha.

Dakshinamurthi Sthapati (in white shirt and vesti) is the supervising sthapati. He is the son of S.K. Asari and nephew of V. Ganapati Stapati.

The Montreal Murugan Temple squeezed in a seminar for youth within the busy ceremonies. Bodhinatha was their guest speaker. Here Prof. Shankar introduces Bodhinatha to everyone.

Prof. Shankar

Many adults joined the youth seminar. Many even asked questions…they proved to be young at heart 🙂

Himalayan Academy literature booth.

Our team that ran the literature booth. Indra Dakshinamurthi, Rogini Shanmugam and Kailas Dakshinamurthi. “We Love Montreal” that’s what they are holding in their hands if you are not French literate.

Bodhinatha reported that all the literature was given away.

Vel and Valli Alahan, very long time members of Saiva Siddhanta Church flew all the way from Colorado to participate in the Kumbhabhishekam and spend some time with Bodhinatha

Mr. Murthi, Mrs. Tilaka Sunder’s brother listens intently to Bodhinatha’s talk

Bodhinatha delivering his talk on “Five Key Beliefs and Five Key Practices.” The focus of the talk is about how Hinduism is relevant in today’s modern life.

We took a few pictures of this beautifully crafted Chola style structure. Its all made out of concrete and cement.

Raja Gopuram, the main entrance tower.

South entrance

Southwest corner of the temple

Raja gopuram for the North side of the temple

Entrance to the old temple which now converted to a teaching and cultural mandapam (hall)

Devotees are queuing up to oil the deity. It is the Saiva tradition that all the devotees are given once in the life time chance to touch and oil the deity with sesame oil before the consecration ceremony. After the ceremony only ordained priests are allow to touch and perform pujas for the deity. This is the Ganesha shrine.

Main sanctum.

In part of the Kumbabhishekam ceremony 10 auspicious objects are brought in front of the deity for the first time when the shrine’s curtain is open after consecration. Cow with a calf, purna kumbha, mirror, kutthuvilaku, married woman, virgin girl, priest, sannyasi and turmeric. Here we see the cow with her calf in the petting zoo while waiting for the auspicious moment.

Devotee rushing to take their turns to oil the deity.

Sivachariyars preparing for Kumbhabhishkam. These three priests are from London.

Mr. Murti’s family and friend with Bodhinatha.

Chola style vimanam

Vimanam, the main sanctum sanctorum tower, where Lord Murugan enshrined.

Mukesh and Chandana Guntamadugn visited Kadavul Siva Temple for the morning abishekam after which they met with Paramacharya Ceyonswami who chatted with them about our sampradaya and the basics of their jyothish. They then proceeded with a tour of the sacred Iraivan Temple building site where they learned about the intricacies and sacred art of carving the granite stones for this very beautiful Temple from Shilpis Rajendran and Chelliah

Mukesh and Chandana are here celebrating their first wedding anniversary and have made their home in Dublin, California. They both attend the Murugan Temple in Concord, California. Mukesh is originally from Chennai and Chandana is from Hyderbad.