Bodhinatha in Mauritius – April 11
For those watching TAKA in Mauritius, put April 11 on your calendar and make a plan to be at the Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre from 9 AM to 3 PM on that day for an all-day seminar on “Hindu Mysticism.”
Ganesha Homa March 2009, Spiritual Park
The March Ganesha Homa at the Spiritual Park of Mauritius was another wonderful spiritual event for devotees coming from all over the island of Mauritius.
The early morning devotees are already seated inside the Mandapam while preparations are being finalised for the ceremony.
Kulapaties start the Homa ceremony at 9.30 AM.
Devotees over the Ganesha Bridge.
Offerings at the small Pancha Mukha Ganapati Shrine, a few metres away from the Mandapam.
It is a local practice to bring lighted oil lamps as an offering t the deity.
A couple giving a testimony of how Lord Ganesha helped them out of a problem in their family life.
Another young devotee sent a testimony in writing about how Lord Ganesha helped her in her studies. Sishya Kownden is reading her letter to everyone.
Kulapati Manon Mardemootoo giving the monthly talk from our Saivite Trilogy
A little crowd worshipping at the Sivalingum…
A view of the large crowd seated outside…
Every month a dedicated team of ladies take care of offerings being brought by devotees.
Inside the Mandapam…
The final arati concludes the ceremony. Everyone stands up….
At the Himalayan Academy Booth…
Jis Chenganna and Kulapati Valayten offering the flame to devotees…
A couple from France with their friend (middle) from Coimbatore, India… They have been invited to visit the Spiritual Park by one of our monks from Kauai Aadheenam.
Hindu Heritage Endowment Goes To Mauritius
Gold Crest Hotel, Quatre Bornes
April 11, 2008
Estate Planning for Families 
Hindu Heritage Endowment is sponsoring a two-hour educational seminar on the key elements of successful estate planning for families based on its Estate Planning Tool Kit booklet. Hinduism Today publisher Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami will open the seminar with a presentation on the spiritual dimensions of planning your financial future. The chief guest speaker is Manogaran Mardemootoo, CSK, Senior Attorney. Learn about estate planning as it applies to the country of Mauritius. No financial products will be promoted. The seminar location is the Gold Crest Hotel on Royal Road, Quatre Bornes to be held on Saturday, April 11, 2008 at 5:30PM. Space is limited so please sign up early for this free seminar. Please RSVP with your name and the number in your party. RSVP…
Estate Planning Toolkit 
This toolkit also offers a practical guide to many non-legal issues including your wishes regarding final arrangements, and a list of where important documents are kept. The Hindu Heritage Endowment wants you and all its donors to have effective estate plans: Wills and/or Trusts that are properly worded, signed, witnessed, and not contradicted by other binding arrangements you may have made and practical instructions from you that will help your family get through a difficult time.
Mauritius Members Visit Malaysia
Kulapati Manon Mardemootoo and Kulamata Sornumbal, made a visit to Malayasia.
Manon writes:
“We attended Satsanga held at Sivaneswaren Sockanathan on Saturday 3rd.”
The two daughters of member Gunalen showed their singing talents. “
It is good to see our sishya going back and forth between nations!
Pancha Ganapati Festival at Mauritius' Spiritual Park
Our youth were invited to a grand Pancha Ganapati celebration at the Spiritual Park of Mauritius on the first day of the festival, December 21, 2008. It was an event not to be missed. Lots of fun and rejoicing!
Those who came early helped with the balloons… One must have strong lungs!
Balloons almost ready to be hung near the murthi of Pancha Ganapati.
The group seated for an arati to Pancha Ganapati!
A short bajan followed.
It is such a wonderful event for the whole family.
The ladies helping at the juice/pastry station.
Our elders overseeing that everything is going well, while having a nice time too.
A big smile…. jai Ganapati!
We also organized a game of treasure hunt. The first challenge, though, was to answer questions on Satguru Bodhinatha’s “Saivite Hindu Religion Book V”
Here is team Yellow.
Team Blue out in the Muruga Mandapam area.
Team green has just found the hidden Ganesha murthi among the trees.
Team orange.
Kulapati Koothan gave a summary of Bodhinatha’s talk emphasizing harmony, love and forgiveness.
Then to the kids’ favorite part: receiving the gifts!
Kulapati Amba Valaytan offering a gift to a very devotee of Lord Ganesha.
A souvenir photo with all our participants around Pancha Mukha Ganapati. Happy Pancha Ganapati 2008 to everyone!
Progress in Mauritius
Mauritus North Shore members at satsang.
The Chinna (“Little”) Pancha Ganapati that is worshiped outside the main shrine at Saiva Siddhanta Church’s Spiritual Park in Rempart. He is there to bless all those who cannot fit into the main mandapam during ceremonies.
The lovely bridge over the pond.
Another ten steps have been completed on this stairway to where the river meets the sea at our center in Mauritius. This is something Gurudeva spoke of years ago, and the sishya are making it happen. This is very, carefully done hand work. Each stone is hand picked and placed.
We are also working on a wall around the property to help stem the intrusion of unwanted petty thieves that come on the property.
News From Mauritius
At the Goodlands Maha Kumbabhishekum, the consecration ceremony of a newly constructed Siva temple built in line with Saiva Agamic traditions. A team of hired sivachariyas officiating the ceremony days before the great consecration….
The Mauritius students of the Himalayan Academy contributed towards the purchase of a new black granite Ganesha murthi.
The old saivite temple was pulled down and the new one facing the rising sun was built in its place.
Brah. Vel with Naden Caremben and his son inside the temple. Kulapati Rajen Manick helped the temple management with the publication of a Souvenir Magazine for that occasion.
The Sivalingam in the main sanctum.
Kulamata Premila Manick and a few devotees…
The entrance gopuram.
The main deities of the Goodlands Siva Soopramaniar Kovil are Lords Ganesha, Lord Muruga and Lord Siva in the form of the Siva Lingam.
Sivatrathna playing the mrdangam during bajans.
Back to the Spiritual Park of Mauritius where projects are in full swing with the construction of steps down the river.
Lava rocks which are being cut for use on the steps.
A new wall now runs down from the westen side of the property up to the end is now under construction. Here is the wall at the Mini Mela area.
Early morning parking at the December Homa down the La Pointe water front. Parking is now becoming a serious concern due to large numbers of vehicles moving into the Spiritual Park on the Ganesha Homa on the first Sunday of every month. By 10.00 AM parking sometimes is a real mess at this spot. Vehicles are parked everywhere!
The photos of the december Ganesha Homa are coming in our next TAKA. Till then… Greetings from the paradise island of Mauritius! Aum.
Saiva Siddhanta Church Mauritius Mission
Another satsang photo from Mauritius, being held at the Moorooven home.
Today is someone’s birthday too….
Mauritius Satsang
Mauritius members send a photo of their recent satsang at the Kownden family home.
From Our Gurus' Teachings
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