NOTICE: THE MONASTERY PHONE SYSTEM PERISHED THIS MORNING, AND WE ARE COMPLETELY OFF LINE FOR A FEW DAYS. THE MONKS ARE WORKING TO INSTALL A BACK-UP. IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING URGENT, E-MAIL US FOR NOW.

We begin a new phase, basking in the after glow of a powerful Sivaratri night. It was one of the best-ever with many pilgrims saying: “It was the most powerful Maha Sivaratri experience I have ever had.”

Here is Bodhinatha giving his discourse that night, following the one that we listened to by Gurudeva over the speakers.

Our photo story begins at 8 PM that night and moves forward to today.

The paths are lit with lanterns. Devotees are gathered in the temple singing bhajans in the early evening.

8 PM… the homa begins with Sri Rudram in the background.

Some of the young monks have been fasting, not only today, but for several days before this holy night.

Our silpis are enjoying the sacred celebration.

After homa we sat together for a profound Shum meditation and then… break time. Devotees chat together…

Back in the temple we all listen to Gurudeva’s 2000 Maha Sivaratri Talk.

This powerful message is online in our archives:

This talk is available on line in our archive in 4 Parts:

• Gurudeva, Maha Sivaratri Talk 2000, Part 1
• Gurudeva, Maha Sivaratri Talk 2000, Part 2
• Gurudeva, Maha Sivaratri Talk 2000, Part 3
• Gurudeva, Maha Sivaratri Talk 2000, Part 4

Then Bodhinatha came out and gave his talk for the evening… which is coming here soon….

Following the discourses the grand event of the night began. The Maha Sivaratri abhishekam and puja. This is a “rahasya” event… secret in the sense that there are no words to convey the power of such a form of worship.

We did take some video which we will offer after it has been processed. Late that night one of the monks who decided to stay up the whole night took some photos of the Sivalingam after all the decorations were made and the temple was bathed in a deep an mystical silence.

Coming up to Sun One today morning. We opened with our regular weekly homa. We could still feel the vibration from the Maha Sivaratri celebration.

Bodhinatha read his message to the Tamil community today…

Written for the annual commemoration of Satguru Siva Yogaswami’s Maha Samadhi that is observed in dozens of Sri Lankan communities around the world.

Dr. Manisha Kshirsagar arrived with about 18 of her students for a tour of the Aadheenam.

She and her husband, Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar, both physicians, have a practice in Kapaa, and hold classes to teach the ancient Vedic practice of Ayurveda (Science of Life). Here are her students hugging Rudraksha trees in the Aadheenam’s Sacred Forest.

The students are visiting from many different parts of the country. A student from India explains the spiritual significance and symbology of Lord Muruga’s granite Vel.

There are many different medicinal plants and trees growing here.

Dr. Manisha explains the special properties and medicinal capabilities of the Amalaki tree – (in background).

A few Hindu families from Alaska came for the Maha Sivaratri Festival. Here are Saket and Nishi Ambasht with their two sons, Anurag (age 16) and Nishant (age 15). They previously lived in Benares, India. In the background (center) is Iraivan Temple.

Nishi teaches children and took back with her the new book “What is Hinduism?” which is a comprehensive text book on Hinduism from the most practical to the most mystical.

Saket and Nishi with Anurag and Nishant in the Banyan Mandapan in front of Gurudeva’s portrait by Indra Sharma and Navagraha deities (planets) which will be ceremoniously transported to the Iraivan Temple at a future time.

Kadavul Siva Temple was filled with visiting Hindus for both the 6 a.m. Homa and the 9 a.m. abhishekam. Many have been here for several days and return to their homes on the Mainland and Canada today.

However, there were late arrivals who were taken on a tour. Here is a lovely family, originally from Chennai, posing with Vellaiasamy, one of the expert artisans of the Iraivan Temple project.

. . . and with Chellaiya and Vellaiasamy is Anu and Shyam Subramaniyam.

. . . and with Iraivan in all its radiant beauty nestled in a background of sacred rudraksha trees .