At home the good news is the sound of chisels tapping again at Iraivan, with the faster enthusiastic pace of young men inspired to be on a new mission far away in Hawaii.

Meanwhile, more pictures are pouring in from Bodhinatha’s mission. Here he is after completing his first full day in Edmonton.

Silpi Chellaiya is 30 years old… he has been with the Iraivan Temple carving site since he was a young man.

Manikandan, Pandi and Rajendran working at the patrai, sharpening chisels

Silpi Karupaiah

We start Bodhinatha’s Canada yatra report today with a flashback to August 7th. The following are photos sent to us by Sadhu Nityavivekdas of the Swaminarayan Mandir in Toronto.

A sacred thread is tied around Bodhinatha’s wrist by Sadhu Gnanpriya

Bodhinatha and Sadhu Gnanpriya perform abhishegam to Swaminarayan

Sadhu Nityavivekdas shows the visiting monks the mandir.

Posing for a photo in the beautifully carved wooden courtyard.

Bodhinatha addressing the youth

Then addressing the adults

Final arathi to end the evening.

August 8th: Bodhinatha arrived safely in Edmonton and was met by devotees at the airport.

It’s a little nippy here in Edmonton.

Later that evening he met with Geritt and Kamala Garneau

He then had an hour and a half question and answer session with the younger members of the community.

These bright young children are students of Aran Veylan and study weekly in his Saiva Dharma classes.

These young students know their religion very well and asked Bodhinatha some very practical questions about Hinduism and how it relates to everyday life.

Congratulations Aran for doing a wonderful job in teaching these children over the last few years.

The group of students and teacher pose with Bodhinatha for a class photo.

August 9th: This morning Bodhinatha was at the Maha Ganapati Temple to conduct a seminar on How to Raise Children as Good Hindus.

One of the slides from his presentation this morning.

Lord Nataraja presided over the morning class.

August 10th: Mr. Selvarajah and wife, long time devotees of Gurudeva and part of the founding members of the Edmonton Maha Ganapati temple met with Bodhinatha this evening. Their son, Mayooran and his wife, Shankeetha were also present.

After the meeting Bodhinatha went to the Shakti Shiv Sanatan Society which is mainly compromised of Hindus from Fiji. He is welcomed with a small pada puja.

Bodhinatha gives a talk on Lord Siva.

More questions …… followed by some amazing answers by Bodhinatha.

The talk is followed by a question and answer session. Many took the opportunity to ask some insightful questions especially young children.

Rajesh Bali thanks Bodhinatha for coming tonight.

There were about 150 people or so in attendance.

Rajesh Bali who is a long time reader of Hinduism Today and a devotee of Gurudeva organized this event.

Saravan Veylan takes the opportunity to talk to Bodhinatha.

Many young children came up on their own after the talk to ask more questions and to get Bodhinatha’s blessings.