Jai Ganesha! After many years of visioning, planning and work by Sannyasin Shanmuganathaswami and his team of contracted workers, the new Mini-Mela Information Center is complete and was opened today at the auspicious hour of 8:15 am.

Bodhinatha cuts the ribbon to the entry way.

Our local members are on hand. We jokingly tell Brahmacharini Shama Kumaran and Kulamata Isani Alahan that “this is your new office,” as they will spend many hours here serving tirelessly taking care of the many forms of Lord Siva who will walk through these doors.

All the monks arrive and admire the beautiful cases with books and other items for visitors.

Yogi Jivanananda performs a puja at the Ganesha shrine, permanently installed in an east bay.

After the puja, Bodhinatha break a coconut at the main entrance doorway.

Then Yogi sprinkles each corner of the building and there are a dozen or more places. Everyone goes around to all the rooms, upstairs and then around outside.

A special seat for Bodhinatha where he will meet with guests and sign books.

Kulapati Durvasa Alahan takes the opportunity to be the inaugural guest having his new copy of “What is Hinduism” signed by Bodhinatha.

Shanmuganathaswami has provided some refreshments, coffee, ice cream and a variety of sweets for everyone.

This jade Ganesha adorns the reception counter, greeting visitors who come up to ask questions or get help.

An auspicious day indeed! We finally are now able to accommodate the daily growing number of pilgrims and visitors and provide them a place to rest their feet, have a drink and read some of the teachings.

Ganesha Visarjana was held on the 30th of August at the Pittsburgh Marina early in the morning. This exquisitely Ganesha was carved by Hotranatha Ajaya. There are no words to express how beautiful this Ganesha is.

Several families joined the celebration and we proceeded with Ganesha puja by Hotranatha Ajaya and assisted by Sandhya Devi Param followed by a short meditation.

All the clay Ganeshas were displayed on the palanquin were carried by the mens.

Hotranatha Ajaya and Jothi Param went in the water to immerse the Ganeshas.

The crowd sang some Ganesha songs in the background.

Off they go!. See you next year, Lord Ganesha.

Acharya Kumarswami takes Cindy, Al and son Jim through the carpentry shop.

Cindy with a Japanese plane. Nice work!

It's the family's first visit to the Hawaiian islands.

Back home, Puli finds the newest issue of Hinduism Today has a comforting message.

Al plays tourist at Hanapepe Bridge, one of the engineering marvels of the island (ok, it's a small island).

No resemblance there!

Then off to Polihale Beach, that amazing white sand gem that is always empty!

If it were back home in Massachusetts, there would be ten thousand people out there.