How often do we hear the potent statement that “Hinduism is not a religion. It’s a way of life”? It is a mantra on the lips of many, repeated so often people actually give it credence. If ever you wanted to understand why people say such things, here is a delightful short video of Gurudeva Swami Chinmayananda that both entertains and informs. Watch it and you will have enough information to respond to the next person who spews it out.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOTgiImVpbs

With the ending of Sadhu Paksha our guest days now continue with the last two tours bringing souls from all over the world. One of our Asian guests signed up for a surfing lesson for their son and instructor was of Hawaiian descent. His family has been on the island of Kauai for countless generations. He told the family that if you only do one thing during your stay on Kauai - go visit the Hindu Monastery in Wailua.

Views of the quarry near Bangalore in August 2012 where stones are being extracted for the Iraivan Temple's second-prakaram wall httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gsCLjFEqG0

Fifteen botanists from Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, California, visited over the retreat. Their leader, Dr. Matt Ritter, has been to the monastery before and wanted his students to experience a sacred garden (something new in their academic experience). It is all part of his philosophy of "learning by doing."

Sadasivanathaswami took them on a tour of the grounds, including Iraivan temple. They were delighted to see sacred plants carved on the pillars, something they had never imagined. Many learning moments came, as when one among them learned to pollinate an orchid and others tried to chip a stone using the chisel and hammer you all know about.

Many stops here and there to identify a plant or discuss its morphology, or to ask whether plants have consciousness (yes, they do) or wonder at the cellular structure of a tree. Enjoy the slideshow.

Just a few of the many natural wonders that dot the landscape.

Here are some photos on the nandi Mandapam. This will show how the assembled beam, sunshade,vyalan and karuna kodoo will look when completed.