We are at the end of a very dynamic phase. The level of activity at the Aadheenam ran super high all the way through five dynamic days. Gold gilding of Iraivan, launching the new Hinduism Today web site, painting the new Visitor Info Center, starting with a homa, Chitra puja and ending today with a powerful Vaikashi Vishakam Muruga Abhishakam. It was quite amazing, really. We are so blessed! Thank you Gurudeva!

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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 Dvitiya Tithi, Sun One, Tuesday, June 9th.

This is a very auspicious full-moon retreat and one groups of monks is going off to the “end of the earth where souls depart for the heaven worlds,” the edge of of the bhuloka where the devaloka begins… for a three-day camp out at the famed remote westside Polihale beach. We will see you all again on Tuesday.

We observed our annual Vaikasi rites this morning, homa follow by the very powerful Muruga Abhishekam.

After the puja., Lord Subramaniyam resplendently decorated and radiating his shakti. For more watch the slideshow below.

Today was also the 60th anniversary of Gurudeva’s diksha. In remembrance of the passage of our sampradaya from Yogaswami to Gurudeva, we bring you a brief slideshow (click here and then click the thumbnails for large images and captions) Without this we would not be here together today in cyberspace, as Gurudeva loved to call it.

At Iraivan the gilding team and completed the removed or earlier layers, cleaned the granite back to a pristine pure surface an today began applying a primer, which is also gold in color.

The Vimanam at the top will be done soon.

Chinna gopuram kalasams are clean and ready.

The Raja Gopuram over the south entryway.

A guest pauses to photograph these exquisite coral-pink and yellow water lilies called "Colorado" along the path of the Saivite Saints.

A turn in the path and there is a tall leafless plant proudly displaying a single yellow flower resembling a rose! It is a Buttercup Tree or Cochlospermum vitifolium. Amazing! Nature is truly amazing.

If you missed the announcement yesterday, we are proud to let you all know again that after much hard work for a year and a half, we have launched a new Hinduism Today website. Don’t miss it! All new access to past issues, PDF’s video and more.