Vetri Vel Muruganukku! Happy Thai Pusam!

Today is a auspicious day in the world of South Indian Saivism. Several million people have been preparing for this day through prayer, fasting, to take Kavadi or simple attend the powerful Thai Pusam puja.. the day before the full moon in the month of Thai with all the inner Jothi’s are so bright, the day when Lord Muruga received his Vel.

The Ganapati Kulam gave their report today. They have been mostly working hard on completing the April issue of Hinduism Today.

And we are happy to announce that What Is Hinduism is now available on line!

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END OF PHASE
Today is the last day of our phase.
This edition of TAKA will remain posted
over our coming three-day retreat,
until Dvitya Tithi, Sun One, Sunday, February 2nd.

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Our two yogis were the priests for the powerful Muruga Abhishekam this morning.

Silpi Chelliah and Karupaiah wanted to have their photos taken with Lord Murugan.

Our wind storm continues with strong winds blowing from over the mountain. It carries just enough rain to meet the sun and today we had a spectacular rainbow show over Iraivan temple after the Muruga puja.

The top of the mountain is flush with water, and streams are pouring down from the misty heights of Waialeale. We often have such dynamic weather when Lord Murugan is near!

Stepping back to yesterday’s tour day….

Dad has his turn at carving a delicate petal of that flower!

“Here let me show you how its done!”

A view of the Bhadra pillars and the beautiful carvings along the east side of the temple’s second prakaram.

A gusty, windy, rainy day could not deter these brave, enthusiastic, smiling souls from venturing forth, guided by Sadhaka Satyanatha over fallen debris from trees down to the Iraivan Temple site.

Here is a second group who toured the Iraivan Temple complex later in the morning. They are from all over the world, all happy and overjoyed to be here .

Russell and Ivy Ellis from Selkirk, Canada and Ken and Sharon Ellis from Winnipeg, Canada. Russell and Ken are brothers. Both couples on vacation and to get away from the brrr Canadian winter. They then heard about the “Hindu Temple.” And after visiting the sacred Iraivan Temple and wandering the very beautiful and peaceful grounds, they were “so glad they did.”

Here they are beside the rainbow eucalpytis trees.

. . . and by the very lovely Bali Hai waterfalls.

Kulapati Manon Mardemoootoo sends us some photos from Mauritius with an update on renovations at Saiva Siddhanta Church’s Spiritual Park there.

He writes: “We are sending shots of the small wall being built around the small Panchamuka Ganapathi. It will go around the small Panchamuka Ganapathi Mandapam, we shall fill up with earth and plant grass around.

The land was uneven and slippery, and not looking well; even a hazard walking around the small mandapam, especially when there are lots of people.

This is a replacement bridge over a pond…

Wood for railings that will soon be installed.

There are also some pictures of Kulapati Deva Seyon on the premises, He turned 60 years today, and there he is with his grandson Jayendra,

… and enjoying Muruga Bhajans from devotees and pilgrims around Lord Muruga.

When they heard he was sixty today, they came up with a ladoo – sweet round cake which they offered to him….

as well as a bouquet of andreanums; they were carrying flowers for offering to God and Gods.

It is a joy to have our brother and sister sishya from another country come to visit! “Hands across the ocean” as Gurudeva used to say….