After six months in the Supplicancy, which included a month sitting by the wall and begging entrance. Mayuran passed his review by the senior monastics and has been accepted as a full monastic into Kauai's Hindu Monastery. Today the monks gathered to witness his vow taking. Through this process he becomes a Postulant. His name is now Sadhaka Mayuranatha. This is always a joyous occasion for the new monastic and a great day for the monastic order. Jai Mayuranatha!

Some of the other sadhaka shaved his head last night. Today he receives his ear-rings.

The ladies retreat began today. In the morning they had a class with Paramacharya Sadasivanathaswami. Then in the afternoon they had a class with Sivakatirswami on our sacred songs program and then with Yoginathaswami on garland making. These garlands will be used in the Ardra Darshanam Puja on the 8th.

Sivakatirswami's father, Luke Batdorf and two sisters, Carelle Dwyer (in pink) and Erika Batdorf (in blue) are visiting. The sisters have not seen their brother for 35 years. It's a big day for the family. Luke is a retired consultant in the cognitive processes of learning and cross cultural training and lives in Nova Scotia, Canada. Carelle is a registered nurse in New Hampshire. Erika is a theater artist and professor of dramatic arts at York University in Toronto, (see her site http://www.batdorf.org).

Tushar, Alka, Ekta and Amrita Doshi are visiting from southern California. They've visited multiple times, and have a special affinity for Hanuman.

Yesterday's commencement of a new phase began with an auspicious homa with three Mantra Dikshas being given. Ravendran Visswanathan, Sheela Visswanathan and Dhavala Shanmuga all received the Panchakshara Mantra from the lips of the Satguru. Sheela's mother and their two children, Aarti and Mayuresh joined in the rites.