To attend worship at Kadavul Hindu Temple make a reservation here
FRONT GROUNDS ARE OPEN DAILY FROM 9AM to 12PM WITHOUT A RESERVATION

End of Phase – Innersearch Awaits You!

It is the end of our phase and what an auspicious phase it was! The news is all about Guru Jayanthi. (see below)

Also today we have posted links to another wonderful upadesha by Bodhinatha, don’t miss it!

~~~~~~~~~~~
END OF PHASE
Today is the last day of our phase.
This edition of TAKA will remain posted
over our coming two-day retreat,
until Dvitya Tithi, Sun One, Monday, October 19th.

 

&nbsp

We have about 8 seats left open for next year’s Innersearch. Now is the time to make your decision before they are all sold out. Click here for more information

Jayanthi at the Aadheenam

A joyous jayanthi celebration was held last night in the Sun Palace, honoring Bodhinatha's 67th with song and gifts and more.

One gift came all the way from Singapore, sent by devotees. A travel computer case that is virtually an office on your shoulder. Bodhinatha will get lots of use of this.

A special feast was prepared, and at the end an amazing cake appeared from the kitchen. Sadhaka Nandinatha introduced what he called "A Kauai Red Dirt cake" so named because it is colored with beets and looks just like, red dirt. With a white chocolate icing.

Yum. Sadhaka cuts the first piece for Bodhinatha.

Blurry but telling photos from an iPhone in low light. Here Bodhinatha holds up a pair of sacred sandals, made of Indian Rosewood by Kanda Alahan. With elegant inlays you can barely make out here.

More gifts and more. Each gift was presented by a monk along with a little speech honoring Bodhinatha's eight years on the peedam, honoring the eight disciples of Maharishi Nandinatha, noting one of the eight siddhis of attainment and one of the eight branches of Raja Yoga.

Tour Day This Phase

The public tour today seemed to keep growing! An inwardly quiet group of extraordinary souls on a radiant day.

Shanti and Myruli are from Albuquerque, New Mexico. They really enjoyed the tour today even though it was one of the hottest days of the year. We kept taking refuge from one beautiful tree to the next.

Purna and Gopa Patnaik from Enunitas, California enjoyed the carving demonstration. Kandan, our temple silpi had just finished his extraordinary craft.

Mohan and Shirkala Savkoor with their daughter, Swapna and Son, Chetan. They have been in touch with the monks for many years having attended pujas at the Palaniswami Temple in San Francisco 30 years ago. They are from San Jose, Calif. I asked Mohan how he was doing on the long trek with his cane and he replied “I will do anything happily for the grace of God”!

Mauritius Bodhinatha's Guru Jayanthi 09

Jai Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami! Happy Guru Jayanthi from all the sishyas of the sugar island of Mauritius. We all gathered on Thursday 15th evening to celebrate the auspicious event at the Ganesha Mandapam.

We are today posting a first series of photos of this Guru event.

 

With silent night falling over the Park, the Mandapam echoed with the uplifting vibration of Natchintanai songs.

A silent pada puja attentively followed by all….

Tirtadeva performed the ceremony assisted by Soundiren Arnasalon.

Devotees chanting the 108 names of Beloved Bodhinatha.

Devotees were reminded of the the meanings of the sanskrit chanting through the printed English translation. We share a few of these here:

Aum Sri Saiva m‚rga upadesak‚ya meaning ” Our Guide on the Saiva Neri”

Aum sri sv‚tmajn‚nine meaning “Knower of the Self within himself”

Aum sri gurudevopadesa vy‚khy‚tre meaning “Who elaborates on Gurudevaís teachings”.

Aum sri hridi pillayarpatti mah‚devapriy‚ya meaning “Who loves Lord Pillaiyarpatti”

Aum sri loka bh‚sak‚ya meaning “Whose light brightens this world”

Everyone present felt being completely immersed in the divine vibration.

Sishyas from all areas of the island attended the ceremony.

The peedham set for the occasion was striking.

Sivarathna playing the mrdangam.

Some more Natchintanaii while we are getting ready for the arati on the Holy Sandals.

We are posting a second series of photos soon. Kindly stay tuned.

Gurudeva in Mauritius

Today Rajen Manick sent us some photos of Gurudeva taken in his country years ago.

For our archives here.

If anyone has such photos in your nation or home, consider scanning them and sending a copy to Palaniswami for the Gurudeva archives.

Making Waves in Hawaii

Now a visual feast to follow the food feast above.

 

These beautiful images of waves were taken by Clark Little, Waimea Bay shorebreak surfing pioneer, husband, and father of two, whom many consider the premier photographer of surf. That looks like a galaxy.

Clark Little has gained nationwide recognition for his photography with appearances on Good Morning America, Inside Edition, and many local news stations across the U.S. He has dedicated his life to photographing waves.

How does he do it?

That’s the color of last night’s birthday cake!

Archives are now available through 2001. Light colored days have no posts. 1998-2001 coming later.

Subscribe to RSS Feed