Back in 2004 during Guru Purnima monks and devotees gathered to plant this special banyan tree. It's called Pillar Banyan and the official name is Ficus bengalensis. At the time of planting it was about 10 inches tall in a one-gallon pot.

It grew, and grew. If you look closely at this photo, to the right you will see that the branches of the tree engulfed the original sign which was attached to the trunk and is now barely visible. So we made a new sign recently, and with knowledge added by experience put it well away from the tree.

Something a bit charming is happening. The tree is surrounding some granite stones we stored near it years ago, swallowing them (see other photos). One day they will be inside the tree.

This will be an immense tree one day. There is one in Bengal that was so big Alexander the Great camped his entire army of 7,000 soldiers under it during his failed attempt to conquer India. You can read the new sign for more background.

The tree will live for two thousand years or more, growing old along with Iraivan Temple.

A new pathway is being built near the Path of the Saiva Satgurus. It gives a formal exit to the path for future pilgrims who are returning to their cars at the Visitors' Center. Happily, it is being done by none other than Dennis Wong, who has worked for 40 years on the monastery land, building roads, ponds and gardens. Dennis arranged for the large equipment to be loaned to the monastery for free! Thank you, Dennis.

In the Ganapati Kulam's Media Studio, you are taken aback by the beauty of the natural view of the river, mountain and Iraivan Temple. As you peer out from these glass panels, you're not as likely to notice the smaller panel nearby. Gurudeva encouraged monks and members to have art forms that involve the refining of something physical, reflecting the constant refinements within our own minds. So we are, of course, talking about the office's 125 gallon freshwater aquarium—an example of cultivating the growth of a living system and maintaining its balance. With a recent request for an update of this tank, this post seemed like a relaxing thing to leave you all with for our upcoming two days of retreat. Venture through the slides to learn more. Aum.

Aum Namah Sivaya

Many blessings from Kauai Aadheenam on this Ardra Nakshatra.

Today our monks began two weeks of "Sadhu Paksha," a time of reflection and quietude before the changing of seasons from our harvest season to our winter season, the Moksha Ritau. For these two weeks our monks enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds them. A sunrise stroll reveals flowers, birds, fish, ancient stones, a bright moon above and a fiery sky. Aum.

"All you have to do is to watch your mind think. Then and only then are you experiencing your perfect state of inner being." Gurudeva

A miraculous happening in Siva’s Sacred Garden this morning. A giant orchid (for the botanists out there it is officially Grammatophyllum scriptum, var. citrinum), has bloomed as never before. It has been in this tree for some 15 years and bloomed in a minor way in the past. But today it is in full glory, with 35 long spikes, each with a couple of hundred lemon-colored flowers. Hence the name “Citrinum,” for citrus. Seeing it makes a pilgrim marvel at Siva’s Creation.

During the 2019 Sri Lanka Innersearch, Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami along with the Innersearch pilgrims from around the world, planted trees at our Sri Subramuniya Temple in Alaveddy.

Satguru gracefully planted the first sandalwood tree. Following that, another sixty-three trees, representing the sixty-three Saivite saints, were planted by the pilgrims.

These trees were planted around the temple property to create a lush green border. They all are growing tall and happy with new shoots of healthy and wide heart-shaped shining leaves. Thank you very much for your blessings Satguru!

Love, Thondunathan

Some 20 years ago we planted a Red Jade Vine out near the top of the Path of the Satguru's, near where Chelleppaswami's murti sits today. This week it is in magnificent bloom, and is a must-see. It will continue to get bigger each year. Also, our Yellow Jade Vine (quite rare) is in bloom.

Today we take a closer look at our Shadkonam Garden and its many wonderful plants. While this is a smaller garden it's still full of a vast variety of wondrous plants, most of which prefer semi-arid conditions. Shadkonam is an ancient Hindu sacred symbol, the intertwining of Siva and Shakti. It is also the symbol for air and Vayu, the God of Air. Vayu rules the Northwest corner of any vastu space, so of course, has a presence here in relation to the temple.

Aum Namah Sivaya, Today we bring you a quick update of the progress on Iraivan Temple's lavarock wall and the front stairway, along with a photographic tour along the path of the satgurus. Both of these areas of temple construction are progressing quickly. The lavarock on the east side is almost at full height and the front stairway only has one more step to go! Aum.

Aum Namah Sivaya

Today our camera-monk takes us out to Iraivan Temple for this week's update of the progress going on there. right now the next layers of the temple steps are being placed and the lavarock plinth is getting higher and higher. Also, join us for a quick detour into our Sacred Gardens.