Stone Bell Is Installed!
Stone bells are a rare artifact in Hindu temples. Such bells exist today in older temples like the Kailasanathar Temple in Kanchipuram, Virupaksha Temple in Hampi, and the famed Pashupatinatha Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal. However, none are known in the Western world.
That changed yesterday when the monks formally installed a 510-pound granite bell. A small shrine was designed and built by the monks, with help from Taskforce. The structure was made of clear redwood donated by Thamby Kumaran and was felled years ago in the presence of the swamis at Thamby's home in California. A full puja was performed, as per the Agamas, to bless the felling of the two trees, complete with honey on the tree feller's chainsaw and prayers to the devas that the trees (removed due to their dangerous proximity to the home) would have a new destiny.
The Bell Tower is placed near the Silpi Bronze Pavilion to show pilgrims another remarkable creation of the silpi sculptors. The bell is rung with a hardwood mallet and produces a distinctly metallic sound. Keep in mind, this was sculpted from a 1,200-pound piece of granite which typically would not make any sound other than a muffled thud. Making the granite sing is making the impossible happen.
All present rang the bell, which is said to have several meaningful features, including invoking a divine presence (the devas are said to be pleased by the sound), warding off negative spirits, purifying the environment, helping to focus the mind and drive away distractions momentarily, and, of course, it serves as a call to worship. Some say it symbolizes the Pranava Om, the eternal and original sound, the primordial sound of cosmic creation that can be heard internally by the meditating yogi.
Jai to all who made this possible, including God Siva who created the granite mountains of India!
Click below to hear the bell ring.
8 Responses to “Stone Bell Is Installed!”
From Our Gurus' Teachings
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June 16th, 2024 at 4:30 pm
“AUM”!.
June 16th, 2024 at 8:21 pm
At last we have it installed…Great sound!
June 16th, 2024 at 11:33 pm
One more miracle in this miraculous place!
June 17th, 2024 at 12:57 am
Such a joy to see the wonders at the Aadheenam manifest!
June 17th, 2024 at 1:43 am
I love the work that the Swamis do to call people to the temple. This is symbolic of that and I am so very grateful. Aum Shanti
June 17th, 2024 at 4:13 am
Aum Namasivayam 🙏🙏🙏
June 17th, 2024 at 4:39 pm
Aum Namasivaya!
Aum! Vanakkam! to All SIVTHONDARS!
Aum! It is really a Great Job in a Saiva Temple!
Aum! “OSAI, OLLI ELLAAM AANAAI NEEYE”!………..Thevaram.
Osai——Sound
Olli……..Light
Ellaam….All.
Aanaai Neeye!……Your presence is always there, in Osai & Olli!
Aum! Siva, Siva!
Aum! Mikka Nanri! (Thank you),
Aum! Anpudan (With Love),
Siva,
(T.Sivayogapathy).
June 18th, 2024 at 5:43 am
The bell tower is so elegant! Yet another feature of Kauai Aadheenam that marries art and spirit at the highest level. Aum. 🙏🏼