It has been a quiet day at the Aadheenam. We were visited by a Hindu couple from Chicago who met Gurudeva about 25 years ago when Gurudeva donated the first Ganesha statue to the group that eventually built the Sita Ram temple. That murthi now lives in the smaller Siva temple that was later built on the same property.

We had a voice mail report from Arumugaswami. Yesterday in New Delhi was a “working day.” Arumugaswami met with all the reporters, photographers and Hinduism Today contributors he deals with in North India, Rajiv Malik, Prabha Bardwaj, Madhu Kishwar, and others. Then stop at the Udaiyan Orphanage, an institution which has a fund in the Hindu Heritage Endowment… where the young girls are being very well taken care of.

They also visited with CNA, Central News Agency where Shanmuganathaswami discussed various ways to expedite distribution of the magazine through South Asia with CNA’s help. And they also had a meal with the R.P. Jain family of the famed Motilal Benarsidas publishing company that has been reprinting Gurudeva’s books for many years.

Today, Bodhinatha and his team just completed an event filled day at our Iraivan Temple worksite in Bangalore. There was a festive spirit, Deepavali-Ayudhya celebration, honoring of silpis and fabulous fireworks and meeting with many devotees and Hinduism Today contacts there as well.

Later today they will take an afternoon flight to Chennai.

We bring you more photos from Maha Samadhi day puja at the Aadheenam last phase, from the lens of Sadhunathan Nadesan…

Gurudeva’s Mahasamadhi pada puja begins.

Early morning devotees.

Devotees

Sadhakas perform the abhishekam under the direction of Pundit Janahan.

Flower sprinkles.

After the puja, a rare sight – clear skies over Waialeale.

The pond.

A clear mountain. Rare indeed for the wettest mountain on earth. Could it be that Gurudeva arranged it?

Paramacharya Palaniswami headed that way.

Grandpa Aran.

Lush aadheenam grounds.

Can’t resist a few more shots of Waialeale

Mom Vasuki Sendan and sleeping baby Veylan.

Bhavani Param enters the guru peedam for seminar with Paramacharya Palaniswami.

Paramacharya reads his sonnet for Gurudeva – he is composing a new one each year.

Dasan Mahadevan contemplates the question posed to all – what is the core teaching Gurudeva gave you that is most relevant in your life today? (As if there were only one!). Deva Seyon also contemplates the question.

Devotees came from far and near, including Vancouver.

Kulamati Amala Seyon ponders the question.

Aum Sahana vavatu ..

Touching Swami’s feet.

Acharya Kumarswami on the left, Yogi adjusts the microphone.

Acharya Kumarswami

Later that evening, which was Divali and Halloween, devotees celebrate Shakti Mahadevan’s birthday at local Thai restaurant, Sukohai. The owners of the restaurant have often provided food for aadheenam functions. It is the only restaurant we know of on Kauai with a picture of Gurudeva on the wall.

Happy birthday! Amala Seyon and Dasan in the background.

Presents! A joyful ending to a wonderful day!

Jai Gurudeva!

Below we have a photo from a temple in the UK sent by Indra Sivayogam, who also held
a Maha Samadhi puja for Gurudeva there.

Bodhinatha is still in New Delhi today. Arumugaswami called and left a voice message. He described the Swaminarayan center in New Delhi as more incredible than he imagined. It covers 30 acres and more.

Bodhinatha was impressed by how hi-tech the place was also. They have an actual robot in the form of one of the gurus of their lineage, he gestures as he talks to you and then gets up and goes for a walk around the room!

At the Aadheenam it is a very quiet inner day.. the third day of Skanda Shashti…

We bring you some photos from last week’s events, taken and captioned by Kulapati Sadhunathan Nadesan.

The Dandapani murthi was oiled by the devotees before the installation ceremony. We were advised by Punditji that this would create a special connection at this auspicious time, an opportunity only available at this special moment. We dipped our fingers in Sesame oil and lovingly rubbed it on Murugan.

Smiling grandpa Aran Sendan whose grandson Veylan visited the temple on this auspicious day for the first blessing from Bodhinatha.

Nandi gazes upon the puja.

Sadhaka Dandapani chats up long time devotee Kulapati Deva Katir

Satguru arrives.

Bodhinatha Veylanswami

Joyful devotees

A garland of limes.

Punditji observes.

Satguru Bodhinatha sprinkles the energized kumba water on all.

A final arati.

Afterwards devotees came to the feet of Satguru Bodhinatha for special blessings at this rare opportunity of putting life into a murthi. Kulapati Jothi Sendan poses with 5 week old son Veylan, as Bodhinatha holds his head. Someone in the crowd remarked “mmm… a future master?”

Garlanded Palani – what a powerful darshan is present!

The Lord’s feet were bathed.

Shanmuganathaswami chats with Jothi Sendan and Isani Alahan.

Veylan seems very delighted to meet his old friend, Paramacharya Palaniswami. Bhavani Param with her granddaughter in the background. A scrumptious lunch was being served.

“He’s got some moves!” says Palaniswami as he returns Veylan to mom, Vasuki Sendan. Uma, Shama, and Gurudeva look on.

Lunch is served!

Our Maha Samadhi week is over and this phase is Skanda Shashti week… a few pilgrims are staying on… a few of the monks are fasting and the atmosphere at the Aadheenam is very inner and serene…

Meanwhile, Bodhinatha is in New Delhi and our correspondent, Rajiv Malik sends this news release on the events there:

Akshardham Temple In Delhi,
Creatively Combines The Traditional
With The Best Of Modern Technology

Rajiv Malik,
New Delhi. November 3rd, 2005.

“Akshardham Temple in Delhi certainly fulfills in an excellent way the goal of creatively combining traditional stone art and architecture, Indian culture and civilization, ancient values and wisdom and the best of modern media and technology. Certainly in the decades to come, the tens of thousands of visitors who pass through these facilities each year will experience a great pride for India and its rich, inspiring culture and heritage, as well as deepen their understanding of that culture and heritage through Akshardham’s traditional monument, experiential exhibitions, IMAX theatre, research centre and contemplative gardens”. These views were expressed by Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami Ji Maharaj, Head of Kauai’s Hindu Monastry and Chief Publisher of Hinduism Today Magazine while addressing thousands of devotees of Swaminarayan Organization who have flocked here from all over the world and had gathered to listen to him, in a huge hi-tech auditorium just adjacent to the newly constructed Akshardham Temple that has come up on the outskirts of Delhi. Satguru Bodhinatha was the Chief Guest at today’s function which was a part of around two weeks inaugural festival related to the temple launching that has been going on with great fanfare. Today’s was the concluding function and it was presided over by His Holiness Pramukh Swami Ji Maharaj, who heads Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS). Earlier a group of Swaminarayan saints took Satguru Bodhinatha and his entourage on a whirlwind tour of the whole temple complex which is situated in around 100 acres of land and has been constructed with the help of over 7000 craftsmen in around five years time.

Satguru Bodhinatha and his team were specially honoured at this function and they received a standing ovation from the gathering here when they came to know that they had travelled 25 hours just to attend today’s function in New Delhi.

Even the rain gods seemed to be blessing today’s function as it started raining, the moment Satguru began his speech. The whole audience burst into laughter when Satguru Bodhinatha said that perhaps the Hawaii weather was following him in New Delhi as well. He went on to say in a lighter vein that there was no need to worry about the heavy downpour as in Hawaii whenever it rains for some time the weather becomes even more pleasant. To the amazement of the gathering the rain had stopped by the time his speech was over and weather became extremely cool and pleasant. Sharing his relationship with BAPS Satguru had this to say- “Our association with BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha began some ten years ago in 1995 when our founder and guru, Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, affectionately known as Gurudeva, attended the 75th Jayanthi of His Divine Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj in Mumbai. Also at that time he visited Akshardam in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, and the monastic training center in Sarangpur.” He went on to say, ” At Sarangpur Gurudeva was quite impressed by the strict life the young sadhus there were living–sleeping on the floor, eating only what is served to them, touching the feet of the other sadhus each morning, keeping their distance from women and giving up family and career to be of service to God and Guru.”

PHOTO: Bodhinatha on the stage with BAPS sadhus and their Satguru, Prahmukhswami Maharaj,
during the July, 2005, opening of the amazing Houston temple
erected by the Swaminarayan Fellowship in Texas.

STORY CONTINUES:

Explaining the reasons of his closeness with BAPS, Satguru said, ” The most important similarity our two sangams share is having a living satguru and a tradition for perpetuating the guru lineage for future generations. Most Hindu organizations do not have such a tradition. In them either the founder who passed on some time ago is the only guru or the organization was formed in the first place without a guru.”

He further said, “Organizations that have a lineage of living satgurus are truly fortunate, for the divine blessings of a living satguru help us to make much greater spiritual progress in our lifetime than is otherwise possible. Of course, this acceleration of spiritual progress is not automatic–rather it happens because we are obedient. That is, we follow the general principles taught by the guru and, if we are fortunate enough, any personal advice the guru has given to us. Obedience is indeed the key.”

Delivering his keynote address on the subject- “The Importance of Obeying One’s Guru,” Satguru recollected the speech made at the 75th Jayanthi of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj in Mumbai in 1995, in which he made the following key statement to the 30,000 gathered that evening: “I have three suggestions for all of you, the dedicated members of the Swaminarayan Fellowship. If you follow them, you will succeed. If you follow them, you will grow stronger as individuals. If you follow them, you will add your strength to that of all the others in the Fellowship. If you follow them, Hinduism itself will be made more noble and secure. So, what are my three points of advice tonight? Let’s take them one at a time. The first is to obey your guru. The second is obey your guru. The third is obey your guru. Do these three things and you will live a blessed life, and you will also make Pramukh Swami Maharaj very happy.”

In his concluding remarks, he said, “Having a living satguru provides the devotee with an opportunity to make significant spiritual progress in a single lifetime. However, as we previously mentioned, this progress is not automatic. It only occurs when the devotee is strictly obedient to the general rules of conduct of the lineage and follows carefully and fulfills in the right spirit all personal instruction received from the satguru.” Satguru once again received a thunderous applause from the most elite audience of Swaminarayan devotees, when he said , “How fortunate you all are in having a satguru such as Swamishri. [Pramukh Swami Ji Maharaj is popularly addressed as Swamishri and Bapa by his devotees].He attends to all the details of your life. He responds personally, in his own handwritten notes, to every letter and question you send to him. How rare a soul he is to love you so deeply. You can thank him in three ways: Obey your guru. Obey your guru. Obey your guru. “

Back at the Aadheenam, the Devado family went around and visited the different kulams. The return to Malaysia tomorrow. Here is Hiranya helping Sadhaka Dandapani do last minute recruiting of Innersearch participants…

With only 62 days left to go many are not wanting to miss the opportunity and are signing up now for this 2-week travel-study spiritual adventure in the south pacific. One of the highlights of this trip is spending 4-days with Bodhinatha in the heart of the mighty Southern Alps in New Zealand. The spectacular
surrounding beauty will be our backdrop during those magical moments of sitting before Bodhinatha in his classes.

So, don’t delay signing up if you are planning to go!

Visit our website
email danda@hindu.org or call 808-822-3012 ext 239 for more information.

Hiranya is fascinated with computers and it’s interesting to watch him… he will be on the internet playing an action game in less than a minute.

Balu and his wife Parimala have been a great help throughout the festival, ever present helping with decorations and doing the needful. Thank you!

The weather looked splendid at the Saiva Siddhanta Church of Mauritius Spiritual Park for a religious gathering. On October 31 in the evening, sishyas were gathered there to celebrate Gurudeva’s Mahasamadhi anniversary.

Nature’s beauty is at its peak. With summer coming, trees are in full bloom to welcome the Guru at the Park….

A small peedam was set up inside the Ganesha Mandapam, where were placed a large photo of Gurudeva and the Tiruvadi.

A humble group of sishyas attended the evening ceremony. Despite a cold sea breeze blowing outside the Mandapam, everyone could feel the spiritual warmth inside…

Sishyas sang Natchintanaii and other devotional songs on the Guru.

As Kulapati Siven Koothan, pointed out later in his welcome speech, many sishyas felt very blessed being present at that special ceremony on that day despite it being Deepavali eve…

Later the sishyas made very beautiful testimonies about how they met Gurudeva for the first time in their life ….

Everyone’s attention is on the pada puja…

The Tiruvadi decorated with beautiful flowers brought by devotees…

Everyone stood up for the final arati and sang the Guru Mantra.

Back at the Aadheenam… here is Bryce Harper, a free lance photographer, (you may see his work from time to time in the New York Times) is doing a photo story on the people of the island of Kauai.

He came up last week to photograph Bodhinatha and today returned to take a few more .

It turns out he uses the very same high end camera that we use… We borrowed his very special zoom
lens to take the following photos.

It was a magnificent day at the Aadheenam, the final day of our Mahasamadhi observance and this phase as well. Later this afternoon Bodhinatha, Arumugaswami, Shanmuganathaswami and Yoginathaswami all flew off for a mission to New Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai….

END OF PHASE
Today is the last day of our phase.
This edition of TAKA will remain posted
over our coming two-day retreat,
until Dvitiya Tithi, Sun One, Thursday, November 3rd.

The day began with the Chitra puja for Gurudeva… conducted by Janahan with the help of our young pujari monastics.

And we bring you another video of this morning’s events.

We will share these beautiful songs by Siva Yogaswami which proclaim so well the spirit of our love of our Satgurus…

“Indweller in the hearts of bhaktars,
Hara, Hara! Siva, Siva! The core of the Vedas!

Golden and gem-like art Thou O comely King!
The Monarch whom all accomplished ones extol.

Oh luminous insight ‘neath the seeing eye,
All-filling and illumining like the sun ray!

Male art Thou and yet female too,
The Heavenly One whom devotees adore.

The crescent moon adorns Thy hair,
And the hunted tiger’s skin Thou dost wear.

Thou did’st conjure up the sea of milk,
And pervadeth both heaven and earth.

Thou dost reveal the essence of holy texts,
The slim-waisted She on Thy left adorns.

O supreme Knowledge who at Thillai danceth,
Siva, Siva! Siva, Siva! That art Thou O Lord!

O bestower of bounteous Grace!
Who in form like mine manifested in Nallur!

“The peerless One who is Father, Mother and Guru,
He fosters me as in me He dwelleth.
the Primal One absolves me from past deeds.
Him I come to know and merge in Love with Him.”

After the puja, everyone comes to see Bodhinatha and receive a gift….

Jnanideva Cevvel with”Gurudeva’s Toolbox”

A publication especially prepared for this Maha Samadhi.. a limited edition of 500 copies will be made available shortly.

Beautiful photos to remember Gurudeva with his priceless wisdom on dealing with life’s issues.

We want to thank Janahan Iyer for taking time out of his schedule to come to Kauai and performs such powerful and uplifting ceremonies for us…

Six-year old Sandhya from California is very shy, but she has a great singing talent and already knows many Natchintanai songs and led bhajan in the temple today!

Gurudeva’s shrine …

Arumugaswami is off to New Delhi. The main event for this trip is Bodhinatha being present to bless and give a talk at the opening of the Swami Narayan Fellowship’s new fantastic and giant center in New Delhi.

“Oh Lord, who bides within the hearts of thy servitors
Who call on Thee as Our Father, Dear Father!
Oh Form of Grace divine, descent! O Bliss that fills the eyes!
Take me ‘neath thy sway, for now is the crucial time. “

“Depraved I feel without an iota of charity or penance,
Yet I feign to be a man endowed with high wisdom–
Oh Lord, who dons the crescent in Thy fiery locks,
Take me ‘neath thy sway, lest I faint and fall.”

“Can those great seers who by self have realized the Self,
Suffer the illusion of heaven, and evolutes of matter?
Oh who ridest on the bull, with locks bedecked by Konrai blooms
Here and now, for ever, do Thou take me ‘neath thy sway.”

“That Light that mingles with the seeing eye,
That Lord, have you seen?
That which is not male or female and yet both,
Have you not perceived that?

He who pervades earth and heaven
Have you not beheld Him?
He who is Beauty and Excellence,
Have you not experienced yet? “

” He comes as mother and father,
Did’st thou know Him as Siva?
He who animates in you and me,
Can you not realize Him?

That which nourishes the fruits to mature
Can you not relish It?
That which pulsates air and fire,
Can you not discern It?

That tonic that makes mortals immortal,
Have you tasted It and rejoiced?
The Lord who danceth in cremation grounds,
Can you not see without distinction? “

Natchintanai

Innersearch only has a few seats left! Don’t wait… join Bodhinatha for study program in 2006. Go to our Innersearch web site for details

A magnificent day on Kauai…

Shaila Pushpa Sendan is very happy to have a new baby brother.

It was guest day today … the last day of a six-day phase.

Mount Waialeale was clear…

We will end today, and let the rest of the photos speak for themselves of the great gift our Kauai Aadheenam and Iraivan Temple which Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami has given to the world.

Today’s important event was the abhishekam of the newly installed Dandapani murthi on the side of Kadavul… Here is Bodhinatha, arriving at Kadavul for the Kumbha Puja…

Pundit Janahan performs a long and intricate puja to invoke the shakti into the waters of the kumbha…

Bodhinatha arrives….

Janahan carries the Kumbha out and around to the Murugan shrine…

Click this link for a live video of events…

Vetri Vel Muruganukku!

Priest Janahan said: “This a blessed day and you are all very fortunate and should take the blessings of the Satguru for he has just brought life into the Deity. This is a rare event and to have the Satguru’s blessings on such a day is very special.”

Lord Muruga in the form of Dandapani, the renunciate.

Maha Samadhi celebrations continue here in a quiet way…

Later in the morning Bodhinatha had a seminar with all the devotees…

This is Hiranyavaha Balu, who is here for the first time with his mother and father Balu and Parimala from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Hiranya is eight years old and enjoys helping in the temple… Today extra decorations were going on at Gurudeva’s shrine. Eight-year olds have interesting ideas about their future. At first Hiranya wanted to be a Formula One Race car driver… His father suggested this may not be the best route to take and he might consider other options. Hiranya did that… Now he wants to be the First Malaysian Astronaut, and after his debut in space he would come to Kauai Aadheenam to be a monk.

Last evening after appropriate pujas we removed the old Muruga Deity in the outside shrine of Kadavul on the east wall. And this evening we will install the new one…

His arm had been broken and we’ve been waiting for an opportunity to replace the murthi with the proper ceremonial rites.

Silpi Rajendran tries his best to separate the murthi, which has been bonded into place, from the concrete peedam.

The previous installation was well done, and it takes more than a few blows to free the old murthi.

As it turned out, we needed to bring in jack-hammer for the final moment to free the old murthi from its place.

Our team takes him away.

“Where are we going now?”

“Down to the river…”

It is almost night fall as the team goes down the pali path…

Here we are, on the banks of the Wailua River where the forces of the old murthi will be adjusting a few days and then finally he will be immersed in the river…

Today was Sun 3 and the first day of special events for Maha Samadhi. In the morning we held our phasely homa… Bodhinatha was in joyous form during his talk on the Ultimate Goal in life, Parasivam, after the ceremony.

The early morning hours are magical at Kadavul temple … devotees arriving before dawn…

Agniye Svaha!

Bodhinatha giving his upadesha…

Later in the morning we had a special procession, taking Gurudeva’s Paduka in a palanquin in a procession to show him all the many wonderful things that have come up at the Aadheenam and on San Marga. We invoke his presence first to come along with us.

Out devotees carry the palanquin with Gurudeva’s sandals and a photo.

At each “station” of the journey, Bodhinatha offers arati first and the devotees worship after him. Here we show Gurudeva the statue of Arumugam, Six-Faced Murugan, who is still resting in his crate under the Banyan tree….

First stop on Pihanakalani trail: the “Umbrella Ganesha”…

Then on to Rishi Valley to honor the shrines to each of the Satgurus of the Parampara….

Iraivan is next….

Inside the palanquin, these stone sandals from Gurudeva’s shrine in Kadavul…

Next… the San Marga Swayambhu Lingam….

Then Dakshinamurthi…

Then to The Path of the Saiva Saints…

Worshipping at the Narmada Lingam…

The return trip back to Kadavul temple…

The sandals are taken out of the palanquin and placed once again on Gurude
va’s peedam in Kadavul.

A final arati to close the morning’s joyful event.

One of our devotees from Malaysia said…

“It is my first visit… and I felt as if Gurudeva himself was showing me all the sites of Kauai Aadheenam…”

And we want to share this inspirational verse from another Malaysia member who sent Deepavali greetings… and closes her email with these words which describe so well the spirit in all our hearts:

“Together We Serve …Our Gods & Guru
Together We Move…..Towards One Path in Life
Together We Strive….Hand in Hand
Together We Will Be, For Our Great Guru Parampara! “

Is it a quiet day at the Aadheenam… A number of devotees are here for the Maha Samadhi week… an big plans are being made in India for Bodhinatha’s arrival there. …with all kinds of people contacting us to join Bodhinatha’s entourage.

Nine-year-old Puja from Texas hugging a rudraksha tree with her father. When asked why she is a vegetarian she replied “I don’t think it is right to kill animals and eat them”

Iraivan’s Vimanam

Silpi Rajendran at work

We have this wonderful photo series relating Bodhinatha’s recent visit to San Diego…the “inside story…” from Sadhunathan Nadesan:

Working for days, the ladies (Aunties Kamala, Damara, and Dhanya) cooking team, together with many guests who brought dishes, prepared a feast that equaled some at Kauai Aadheenam (in our humble opinion, smile).

Preparations to wash the Guru’s feet with the kumbha pot.

Chudika Mahadevan draw the kolam.

Uncle Toshadeva Guhan and Pundit Janahan preparing garlands.

Auntie Shakti Mahadevan contemplates the immanent arrival of the Satguru.

Auntie Ushadevi Katir awaits with Chellapa and Banudevi Deva, and Ratnan Kumaran. Kumaran
broke the coconut, Diksha Katir and Toshadeva blew the conch.

In anticipation, Davati Murugan, Kamala Guhan, Sheela Rahavendran, and Kulamata Dhanya Nadesan.

Kulapati Sadhunathan Nadesan performs the pada puja while Pundit Janahan orchestrates.

A shawl is offered. In the foreground, Dasan Mahadevan, the Katirs and Lavanadevi Sivam.

Devotees come forward for blessings. Dasan receives vibhutti.

Bodhinatha is radiant. The upadesh which followed was amazing.

The next morning at breakfast, we sing happy birthday, and gifts are given.

San Diego loves you!

A buffet by the bay.

Happy devotees.

The essence of kama – birthday cake 🙂

Cassie is happy to be with the guru.

Waterfront view.

Our high-tech guru presents with sound, music, and images.

Dr. Shan, honored guest speaker.

Uncle Sadhu.

Auntie Dayavati offers pranams.

We started a new phase today, the first in our Maha Samadhi week…. Our group of Sri Lankan elders from Toronto were with us all day today…

Early this morning, Tyler Comer signed a simple six-month Pledge of Purity and intention to learn more about monastic life during his stay at Kauai Aadheenam.

He will continue to follow the Pledge when he returns home in December.

He also decided to shave his head this morning as an act of purification on the occasion of imminent ceremonies to commemorate the fourth anniversary of Gurudeva’s mahasamadhi (transition).

Tyler signs ….

Then Bodhinatha

Tyler and Bodhinatha send and out a big Alooha! to Rhonda, Tyler’s mom in Tennessee…

Our group from Toronto goes to the publications building for a tour.

Paramacharya Palaniswami tells about our work on the book for the Parampara and gives everyone a printed picture.

Then they meet with Bodhinatha..

One man offers a delightful flute performance.

This lady knew Yogaswami….

Worship in Kadavul temple…

Here we are up at the top of Muruga Hill

Narmada lingam

It is interesting that on this day when we have our Tamil Ammas from Toronto with us that we receive this photo from Thondunathan from Jaffna.. he writes:

Sri Subramuniya Kottam Student receives scholarship from the Government of China.

Kottam student Miss. Brinda Thurairajah received a scholarship from the Government of China to study medicine there. She is among six students chosen from hundreds of eligible applicants throughout Sri Lanka to undergo this six year course.

Once a student and active participant in the Kottam, Brinda left Jaffna for Nanjing, China to begin her medical studies. Before leaving for China Brinda told Rishipathi Kanagaratnam that after she becomes a doctor she would like to open a free clinic at the Kottam to serve the community. The Kottam is very proud of her and wish her all the best and success in her dream to be a doctor.

In this photo Brinda is with Rishipati Kanagaratnam and Sivalosani Kanagaratnam and other Kottam volunteers at Gurudeva’s Tiruvadi shrine at the Sri Subramuniya Kottam.

Today was the last day of our phase. The Ganapati Kulam gave their report today. They have been focusing a great deal on the completion of the January 2006 edition of Hinduism Today and each one shared a bit about the articles they were working on.

END OF PHASE
Today is the last day of our phase.
This edition of TAKA will remain posted
over our coming two-day retreat,
until Navami Tithi, Sun One, Wednesday, October 26th.

We continue today with our last segment of photos from Bodhinatha’s Donor Appreciation reception in Sausalito, California, last week.

Bodhinatha gave a wonderful presentation on his recent travels and teaching focus, using Apple’s Keynote software and a projector.

Another birthday cake, this time by devotees of the San Francisco area.

Right when the event concluded a beautiful full moon rose over the hills across the bay. A wonderful finale to the evening’s events.

Venu & Sabita Kondle with their daughter.

It was a rare opportunity for everyone who came to spend time with Bodhinatha after the event.

Atrun and Vijendra Prasad and their friends from the local Sai group came to see Bodhinatha. They were also in attendance last year during Bodhinatha’s visit.

A beautiful sunset graced the background as people met with Bodhinatha.

Dr. Narayana Rao and wife, Sarojini.

Chandran and Sahana Param with their four children.

Mohan and Srilakshmi with their daughter. They have visited Kauai a few times and love Kadavul temple.

Vijay and Chandra Sankara (on the right) with their son, Easan, and his wife Gowri.

Kishore and Kripa also recent visitors to Kauai.

Natraj Narayanswami has a moment to meet with Bodhinatha.

Join Bodhinatha on this 2-week travel-study spiritual adventure in the south pacific. A combination of insightful classes by Bodhinatha himself on topics such as karma management and how to improve one’s life, and exciting excursions to spectacular locations like the Milford Sound fiords and the Southern Alps in New Zealand, the Sydney Opera House and Harbour bay cruise are all only part of the program.

With only 70 days to go seats are filling up fasts. So don’t delay if you are planning to go!

Click to visit our website and email danda@hindu.org or call 808-822-3012 ext 239 for more information.