With the Ganapti Kulam's recent finalization of the next issue of Hinduism Today, they are now free to devote a great deal of their energy to their work on the Media Studio renovation project. Today several projects are actively progressing simultaneously. The new tent cover for the saw mill is being put together, the cove molding is being installed, the team's new desks are being created, the ceiling vents are being painted, the 1008 lingam cabinet has been assembled and the front entryway door installation is moving forward. Not to mention all of the unseen background task which must be accomplished. Here is a slideshow of some of the recent progress, with an in depth look at how the mango desktops are being created.

As you know, the team in India is working hard on the perimeter wall, that 480-foot-long granite wall that is regarded as mystically important, protecting the subtle energies of Siva's abode.

But you may not know that they are also working on some 50 granite pots that will sit atop the wall. Today we got this report from Jiva Rajasankara. Read the captions to learn of the process.

Recently Acharya Kumarnathaswami has been working hard to mill wood so that it may be saved and used for future monastery projects. With the help of Jnanideva, the wood from a large monkeypod tree was cut. Monkeypod is a wonderful dark wood that is often used for carving. The monastery was gifted these giant logs, which came from a historic, island tree that was cut down last year.

Over the last few days, Sadhaka Jayanatha and task-forcer Jnanideva have been installing the kolam designs in 16 of the media studio's ceiling coffers. Today the final two designs went in. The process requires planing off little bits at a time to get the right fit. The kolam designs are printed on canvas with plastic backing and they've been installed with velcro, allowing the designs to be moved around or replaced whenever a change of space is desired.

Last year this carving of the yesti for the temple was started. This first image is a cement model of it created by Dr. Ganapathi Stapathi, a pioneer lecturer of Government College of Architecture and Sculpture, Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu. He had met Gurudeva while he was lecturing in the college, long before Iraivan was even thought of. The final slide is the state of the stone today, as it nears its completion.

The lighting for the Media Studio is nearly complete. The coffer lights have been installed and as you can see they are quite extraordinary. The sample kolum, below, is a wonderful addition and gives you a taste of how the many uniquely-designs art pieces will look throughout the ceiling. The Studio's new, cutting-edge Lutron lighting system allows for remote access to the lighting via a computer or mobile device. And to top things off, Jnanideva has just arrived from Canada to help with construction. A good time to be on Kauai. Back home he was facing negative temperatures. He's currently helping in the creation of the trim which will go between the ceiling and walls.

Recently the Param family arrived on pilgrimage to the Aadheenam, and with them comes the expertise needed to finish the Media Studio's electrical work. Easvan Param is a master electrician and has been joined by son Chandran and grandson's Bhajana and Jayendra to help the GK during their stay.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ocTnd3S7Ow Here's a fun little video. We thought it would be nice to create a timelapse of the installation of the Media Studio's ceiling. Aditya, Deva and Haran are the leading sevaks in this video, who together, did most of the work putting up the tongue and groove boards.

With all the help the monastery is getting from task forcers, karma yogis and other helpers, the media studio is progressing well. The ceiling has been nearly completed, awaiting the installation of its final three coffers. The Second layer of stucco is going up on the building's exterior, the attic's insulation is nearly done, the entry way is being tiled and the cove moulding is being milled. In tomorrow's post you'll see the expert team who will have begun the finish electrical. Just in time for Ardra, these are all big steps that have come together all at once. Their completion will bring the Ganapati Kulam that much closer to moving in, and once again, putting all of their time and energy into their web and publications work.

We have begun our fourth year of working on one of Gurudeva's beautiful visions, a bronze memorial that honors the traditional temple artisans, and also all donors who have given to Iraivan.

The silpi at the forge is in Colorado today, and will be coming to Kauai in the months ahead. We showed you the most recent arrival, the silpi sharpening a chisel, but here is a more full description of him. He and the other two are temporarily installed in the Banyan Mandapam where all visitors can touch this masterful work by Holly Young.