It was another magical day at the Aadheenam. Chitra puja was held in the morning, deeply devoted pilgrims and awesome views. We really have to thank Gurudeva for creating Kauai Aadheenam for our order and for the world, an immeasurable gift to generations to come.

At home today the Pillaiyar Kulam gave their report. Shanmuganathaswami detailed his work with Easan Katir and promoting awareness of Hindu Heritage Endowment which Gurudeva founded to strengthen Hindu institutions around the world.

The other news from the PK is the amazing job they are doing distributing free literature. In fact Shanmuganathaswami had to contract with someone new in Missouri to warehouse all the printing we do. Meanwhile it is going out the door at a fast rate. Sadhaka Jothinatha said that 37 US temples all received cartons of “Ten Questions People Ask About Hinduism and Ten Teriffic Answers”. In the past two years we have distributed close to 300,000 pieces of free literature. This all fulfills Bodhinatha’s vision to produce more basic Hindu educational material and distribute enmasse to the world. He’s taking Gurudeva’s work to a new level!

Looking toward the mountains at dawn, just before going to the temple early this morning.

The Eastern sun behind us, unveiling the ranges to the west..

Inside Kadavul, monks are chanting Sri Rudram before the Chitra puja begins.

In the middle of the abhishekam.

Yogi Japendranatha and Sadhaka Nilakantha perform the puja.

After the puja….

Thank you, Gurudeva!

Stepping outside, the early morning light is the best time for catching an image under the banyan tree. Way inside is Lord Shanmuga, six-faced Murugan. He is a stunning first impression for visitors who arrive at our humble front entrance, not knowing what to expect and slowly stepping into a spiritual wonderland as they move up the path.

Iraivan Temple off in the distance.

Jyoti and Nishi Bhatia returned with their beautiful daughter Rani, and her grandmother Mrs. Taneja. They came to enjoy the morning Siva puja and another tour of the grounds. Saravananathaswami took them for morning worship at Narmada lingam.

Our lilies are doing well. Rumor has it that we also have have some lotuses growing, after years and years of attempts….

Later Paramacharya Palaniswami gave them a tour of the press shop and explained some of the intricacies of the very involved and important work that goes on there. Mr. Bhatia, who is a retired computer engineer, was impressed with the modern technology that the swamis use.

Mr. Bhatia is the Chairman of the Board of trustees of the Ektamundar Temple in Dallas, Texas. He looks forward to helping to support the construction of the Iraivan Temple. This reminded me of the time when Gurudeva had said “One of the highest things you can do in your lifetime is to help build a Siva temple.”

Jyoti and Nishi Bhatia, and their family then said their farewells and hoped to make this a yearly pilgrimage.

To the Bhatia family, if you are looking in: it was really wonderful to have you here, we look forward to seeing you in the future.

Inder and Aileen Mirchandani were here for a few days visiting from Honolulu where they live. He is a retired engineer and has been associated with our temple for the past four years.

A young group from Southern California arrived and were taken for a quick tour of the grounds and Iraivan Temple building site. Asked how they enjoyed their visit they all replied “awesome!”

A few close-ups sent from Manon Mardemootoo of the new Ganesha in the “secondary” mandapam at our center in Mauritius

Beautifully done, the little shrine will serve devotees who cannot fit into to the main mandapam.

Here is Ganapu, outside in front of the temple. He likes to loiter nearby in the mornings when his caretaker Paramacharya Ceyonswami is on vigil from 9 AM to noon and often attends the balipeedam puja.

He used to be a real “scardy-cat” when he was a kitten, afraid of people and just about everything.

Now he is well adjusted and happily sits it the bushes nearby, watching all the visitors go by, waiting for Ceyonswami to come out of the temple at noon.