On the final day, March 26, all gathered on the entry steps for a series of photos, capturing the priests with Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, the monks with the priests and all present. Also one of the monks caught a rare image of Iraivan Temple with the lights on. Jai Gurudeva whose vision has now become a reality! Jai Mahalingeshwara!

We asked ChatGPT what AI knows about them and this is the reply from artificial intelligence:

Adi Saiva priests are a group of priests who follow the Adi Saivite tradition, which is a sect of Shaivism that originated in South India. Adi Shaivism is believed to be one of the oldest and most authentic forms of Saivism.

Adi Saiva priests are considered to be the custodians of the Adi Saivite tradition and are responsible for performing various rituals and ceremonies associated with the worship of Lord Shiva. They are highly respected in the Hindu community for their knowledge of the scriptures, their devotion to Lord Shiva, and their service to the community.

The Adi Saiva priests are known for their distinctive dress, which includes a rudraksha mala (a necklace made of rudraksha beads), and vibhuti (sacred ash) on their forehead. They are also known for their expertise in performing various rituals and ceremonies, including the worship of Siva lingam (an iconic representation of Lord Siva) and the chanting of Vedic hymns.
The Adi Saiva priests are considered to be an integral part of Hinduism and play an important role in preserving and promoting the Adi Saivite tradition.

SUNDAY MARCH 26TH, 2023 (FINAL DAY 6) 7:15 AM - 5:00 PM HST (Day 6 - Final Session) Vishesha Sandhi, Vara Siddhi Ganapathy Pooja, Punyahavachanam, Ankura Pooja, Siva Soorya Pooja, Mantapa Pooja, Vedhika Maha Kumbha Pooja, Shadhadhwa Nyasa Pooja, Agni Kaarya Saparya, Tattvarchana, Naadi Sandhanam, Sparshaahuthi, Vishesha Dravya Aahuthi, Maha Poornahuthi, Yaatra Daanam, Ghatoththaapanam, Moola Bimba Jeeva Nyasam, Murthi Samyojanam Maha Kumbhabhishekam, 10:07AM - 10:19AM - Vrushabha Lagnam The Kumbhabhishekam of Rajagopuram, Vimanam, Maha Kumbhabhishekam for Lord Iraivan in the form of Sri Sadha Siva at the Moolashanam, Parivara Kumbhabhishekam, Maha Abhishekam, Divyopachara Deeparadhana 12:00 PM - Prasada and break 3:00 PM-- 108 Kalasa Snapanaarchana, Snapanaabhishekam and Alankaram, Divya Upacharas 5:00pm-- Kumbhabhishekam ceremonies are complete

SUNDAY MARCH 26TH, 2023 (FINAL DAY 6) 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM HST (Day 6 - Final Session) Vishesha Sandhi, Vara Siddhi Ganapathy Pooja, Punyahavachanam, Ankura Pooja, Siva Soorya Pooja, Mantapa Pooja, Vedhika Maha Kumbha Pooja, Shadhadhwa Nyasa Pooja, Agni Kaarya Saparya, Tattvarchana, Naadi Sandhanam, Sparshaahuthi, Vishesha Dravya Aahuthi, Maha Poornahuthi, Yaatra Daanam, Ghatoththaapanam, Moola Bimba Jeeva Nyasam, Murthi Samyojanam Maha Kumbhabhishekam, 10:07AM - 10:19AM - Vrushabha Lagnam The Kumbhabhishekam of Rajagopuram, Vimanam, Maha Kumbhabhishekam for Lord Iraivan in the form of Sri Sadha Siva at the Moolashanam, Parivara Kumbhabhishekam, Maha Abhishekam, Divyopachara Deeparadhana 12:00 PM - Prasada and break 3:00 PM-- 108 Kalasa Snapanaarchana, Snapanaabhishekam and Alankaram, Divya Upacharas 5:00pm-- Kumbhabhishekam ceremonies are complete

Please also enjoy this article which explains some of the details of a Kumbhaabhishekam.

SATURDAY MARCH 25TH, 2023 (DAY 5) 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM HST (Day 5 - Morning Session) Vishesha Sandhi Anushtanam, Fourth Kala (4th Session) Sri Narthana Ganapathy Pooja, Punyahavachanam, Ankura Pooja, Siva Soorya Saparya,Mantapa Aaradhana, Vedhika Archana, Shadhadhwa Nyasa Pooja, Agni Kaaryam, Vishesha Dravya Aahuthi, Ashtabandhanam, Poornahuthi, Divyopachara Deeparadhana 12:00 PM - BREAK

FRIDAY MARCH 24TH, 2023 (DAY 4) 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM HST (Day 4 - Morning Session) Vishesha Sandhi, Second Kala (2nd Session) Maha Ganapathy Pooja, Punyahavachanam, Ankura Pooja, Siva Soorya Pooja, Mantapa Pooja, Vedhika Maha Kumbha Pooja, Shadhadhwa Nyasam, Agni Kaarya Saparya, Vishesha Dravya Aahuthi, Poornahuthi, Divyopachara Deeparadhana 12:00 PM - BREAK

7:00 AM - 12:00 PM HST (Day 3 - Morning Session) 7:37 AM - The Guru Paramapara puja Special Prayers to The Guru Paramapara of the Nandi Natha Sampradaya to invoke their blessings before the main prayers. Siddhi Vinayaka Pooja - First Kala Yaga Pooja (1st Session) Punyahavachanam, Santhi Homam, Disha Homam, Punya Nadi Teertha Sangrahanam, Soorya Kantha Agni Sangrahanam, Poornaahuthi, Deeparadhana 12:00 PM - BREAK

WEDNESDAY MARCH 22, 2023 - DAY 2 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM HST (Day 2 - Evening Session) Kshipra Ganapathy Pooja, Punyahavachanam, Vasthu Mandalaarchanam, Vasthu Santhi, Pravesha Bali Prakshepanam, Rokshoghna Homam, Paryagni Karanam, Khatgesha Bhramanam, Aalaya Pavithra Suddhi, Poornahuthi, Deeparadhana 7:00 PM - END

TUESDAY MARCH 21, 2023 - DAY 1 3:00 PM - 7:00PM HST (Day 1 - Evening Session) Sri Maha Ganapathy Pooja, Punyahavachanam, Grama Shanthi, Bhairava Saptha Aavarana Pooja, Aalaya Ashta Dik Bali Daanam, Poornahuthi, Deeparadhana 7:00 PM - END

As most of you already know, the large crystal Sivalinga has been “temporarily” residing in Kadavul Temple since August 1987, awaiting its move to the Iraivan Temple sanctum. Our architect, Selvanathan Sthapati, has indicated that now that the Iraivan Temple structure is complete and the 11,000-pound panchaloha Avudaiyar base has been moved into the inner sanctum, we need to move forward with installing the Sivalinga. Actually, Sthapati was more colorful in his urgings, reminding us that the temple is a living being, with a conception (Gurudeva’s three visions), a birth and a lifespan. And, he offered, we have waited long enough, to the point that the temple is like a pregnant woman who is two weeks overdue, and we can no longer delay the event. Based on that instruction from our Master Builder and guidance from India’s Sivacharyas, Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami has set the Sivalinga installation rituals for March 21-26, 2023. These historic rites will be professionally filmed and livestreamed on our youtube channel for everyone to have a front row seat wherever you live around the world.

A just-uploaded trailer video for the ceremonies can be viewed here. If you would like to plan ahead for watching the livestreams, here is the schedule of morning and afternoon streams: March 21 Morning Ceremonies 8:00 AM Start 12:00 PM Distribution of Prasadam Afternoon Ceremonies 3:00 PM Start 7:00 PM Distribution of Prasadam March 22 Morning Ceremonies 8:00 AM Start 12:00 PM Distribution of Prasadam Afternoon Ceremonies 3:00 PM Start 7:00 PM Distribution of Prasadam March 23 Morning Ceremonies 7:30 AM Start 12:00 PM Distribution of Prasadam Afternoon Ceremonies 3:00 PM Start 7:30 PM Distribution of Prasadam March 24 Morning Ceremonies 8:00 AM Start 12:00 PM Distribution of Prasadam Afternoon Ceremonies 3:00 PM Start 7:00 PM Distribution of Prasadam March 25 Morning Ceremonies 8:00 AM Start 12:00 PM Distribution of Prasadam Afternoon Ceremonies 3:00 PM Start 7:00 PM Distribution of Prasadam March 26 Morning Ceremonies 6:00 AM Start 10:19 AM Auspicious Moment 12:00 PM Anna Dhaanam

Access to Iraivan Temple for these installation ceremonies will be through the monastery, with cars utilizing our existing parking lot of 37 spaces. Our maximum capacity of confirmed attendees for the event has already been reached, based on the existing facilities of the Aadheenam and Iraivan Temple. Permitting greater attendance would create substantial issues for us with our neighbors and the county over traffic and parking.

The good news is that starting on March 28th and thereafter, all Saiva Siddhanta Church sishyas and those on a prearranged pilgrimage to Kauai Aadheenam will be able to attend a daily puja at Iraivan Temple, something we have been waiting for all these years.

After March 28 visitors to the Aadheenam who are not formal pilgrims, Saiva Siddhanta Church sishyas or students of Himalayan Academy can still access the rudraksha grove and the monastery entrance areas, including Kadavul Temple, the Meditation Banyan and the MiniMela gift shop. But they will not have the opportunity to attend the Iraivan Temple daily puja until we fully establish additional facilities at the rudraksha grove entrance, thus meeting county regulations to have more parking and bathrooms to accommodate greater numbers of visitors before we can host large crowds. This development is still a couple of years away. 

With good weather, the contractor is moving quickly with framing the final back storage room which will hold the rest of our publication print runs, now that we have discontinued a storage warehouse on the mainland.