Before & After and a Bit of History
You are familiar with Iraivan's unique concrete foundation, which earned us a cover on Concrete Today magazine back in 1999. For those new to the story, after years of research and preparation, in August of 1999, the foundation of the Iraivan temple was poured.
At the time, the lead engineer exclaimed: "This hasn't happened for 2,000 years! It's historic. Not since the Greeks and Romans has such a massive placement of concrete been completed without a single crack. Not even a hairline fissure." Dr. Mehta's joy spread throughout Kauai's Hindu Monastery and the island.
The 117' 6" by 56' by 4' foundation weighs over 4 million pounds and took exactly 108 cement trucks to place. Founder and Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, who had declared it must last 1,000 years, now knew that it would.
This pioneering project was made of a special mix that reduces Portland cement by about 40% and replaces it with pozzolan coal fly ash. Dr. Mehta noted that this makes a superior concrete, stronger, more durable, harder, and even cheaper.
Its adoption by nations and industries could radically reduce the global warming problem, for which cement production worldwide is responsible for an astonishing 6%.
The temple could, in time, change how things are built on earth. And in fact, it did. This foundation inspired China to use it for their Olympic Games Stadium. And today, California requires government projects to use it in place of normal cement.
3 Responses to “Before & After and a Bit of History”
From Our Gurus' Teachings
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July 30th, 2024 at 5:00 pm
“AUM”!.
July 31st, 2024 at 6:30 am
Jai Ganesha!
Thank you Swamis for this post. The story of the cement is like the story of the Crystal lingam The novelty never wears off no matter how many times it is mentioned in print on this website. A bit like “the east marries the west” Gurudeva’s Guru Sivayoga Swami thru the Kailasa Paramparai brought about the building of Iraivan Temple and educating the world on Hinduism and its relevance to the world and humanity. Often a thought crosses my mind and it is: a handful of Hindu Monks on the Island of Kauai thru their knowledge educate mankind on every subject thru their selfless service to Lord Siva. The only thing remaining for one of them is to go on a spaceflight to bring back to us their feeling and view of the universe firsthand. That too might be witnessed in the not too distant future!
Aum Namasivaya
Sivayanama Aum
July 31st, 2024 at 8:48 am
Aum Namasivayam 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you Swamiji for the post and the story. 🙏🙏🙏🌺