On their way from Lancaster to Anaheim, California, Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami and Sannyasin Senthilnathaswami stopped at a new temple that is being established in Pasadena.

It is a Saivite temple, run by a small group of Tamil families and laid out just like our own Kadavul Temple at Kauai Aadheenam. After a brief Ganesha puja, Bodhinatha spoke to the group.

The temple committee is raising funds and getting ready to build a proper temple.

All came forward for vibhuti prasadam from Bodhinatha before we departed.

Visit www.losangeleshindusociety.org to learn more about this wonderful new temple.

Thanks to GPS technology, the car knew just how to get us to the Embassy Suites in Anaheim where our Iraivan Temple Donor Appreciation Reception would be that night.

Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami was the honored guest at Dr. and Mrs. Shun and Thilika Sunder’s home in Lancaster, California, on Saturday evening for a special Skanda Shashthi puja.

Janahan Balasingam, the gentleman who has performed Gurudeva’s annual mahasamadhi puja on several occasions at Kauai Aadheenam, came from Irvine to perform the puja. Part of the way through the ceremony, all the ladies came forth to offer flower petals to Lord Murugan’s vel while chanting the Sri Lalita Sahasranama. After that we all joined in singing the Skanda Shashthi Kavacham, a glorious Tamil hymn in praise of Lord Murugan that is sung at temples worldwide during this annual six-day festival.

Following the puja, Dr. Sunder stood up and introduced Bodhinatha to the group of about 75 souls who had gathered to hear his upadesha.

Bodhinatha gave a Keynote presentation on the yamas and niyamas, on worship, yoga and selfless service.

Everyone was very attentive, and frequent nods from the audience confirmed Bodhinatha’s message was sinking deep.

Dr. Sunder, always technologically savvy, connected Bodhinatha’s computer to his 60-inch plasma TV so that everyone present could see the visually stimulating presentation slides.

Here, Dr. Sunder and his wife, Thilika, come forward to offer gifts and receive vibhuti prasadam from Bodhinatha.

There is an ancient Tamil saying that no one can visit the great temple of Chidambaram unless Lord Nataraja Himself wills it. Many stories are told about the unbelievable coincidences that have allowed — or prevented — the visit of devotees to that venerable temple.

We don’t have as many tales to tell yet, but we suspect, in our hearts, that the same holds true here. Each guest who visits Kadavul and Iraivan may have danced with Siva for lifetimes, often unknowingly, before receiving His invitation.

The tour this phase happened two days ago. They arrived at Iraivan just in time to witness a stone lift! Guests, like this lovely couple from Canada, heard how special and rare it is to be present at such an event, especially at the beginning of the Rajagopuram.

While they had to keep some distance because of the big crane, all the guests seemed to appreciate the auspiciousness of the day. They had a wonderful time together with many intelligent questions.

This is a photo of last phase’s group, equally bright, who brought umbrellas and waterproof smiles.

On that same day, Sharad and Namrata Haldwani were twice blessed: by being here and by participating in the Rajagopuram ceremony. They put some of their prana in the sandalwoood paste that goes under the stone.

The Narmada Sivalingam.