On August 30, Bodhinatha gave a lecture to about 60 guests at the Sri Meenakshi Temple in Pearland, outside Houston, Texas. His presentation was subtitled, "Will There Be a Third Generation?"

END OF PHASE
Today is the last day of our phase.
This edition of TAKA will remain posted
over our coming three-day retreat,
until Dvitiya Tithi, Sun One, Sunday, September 6th.

The temple board honored Bodhinatha with a shawl after his presentation. The talk was quite well received, and several people asked mature questions afterward.

This temple, which has been here for decades, feels very much like a traditional Hindu temple. Bodhinatha's lecture was actually in the original Ganesha temple on the property. The newer main structure housing Siva, Meenakshi and Venkateshwara is just like a traditional South Indian style temple.

In the afternoon, Bodhinatha was the chief guest at an event held at Houston's India House, an impressive multi-million-dollar facility. After Senthilnathaswami gave a presentation introducing Hinduism Today and focusing on how Hindus around the world should consider it their own magazine that they can contribute to in many ways, Bodhinatha gave two presentations: one on Unity and Diversity in Hinduism and another on Religion and the Media. The group of about 70 attendees was rapt.

Bodhinatha then presented an award to Mrs. Kalyani Giri, a renowned journalist who has written for Hinduism Today a number of times and continues to do great work for Hinduism in her field. She was speechless! Congratulations, Kalyani.

Guess who was waiting to meet each and every guest this morning on the Tiruneri?

This little one helped everyone practice seeing the divine in another’s eyes!

Several engineers, trust and financial managers brought forth many questions regarding endowments, fund management and the engineering of concrete and Vastu.

Quite a large group today and very, very astute. We regret we didn’t get an adequate group photo. Such a great collective vibration that we ran way over our alloted time on each stop.

They were so fascinated with the ancient way this temple is being fashioned. Several of the engineer types had heard of fly ash mix and were way ahead of me on psi and curing times.

This is Thomas G. Rusling and his wife Ellen. He is a senior partner in Howe and Rusling, an investment firm who manages endowments and trusts out of New York. They were more than delightful on the tour and kept a steady stream of insightful questions. They come to Kauai often and are now helping with the building of Iraivan.

The new mini mela was packed after the tour and Isani’s ever bright smile greeted each one. There is counter space to put your items and also a place for men to sit while the ladies shop. Very successful layout.

After Ganesha Chaturthi celebration things get back to normal at the Spiritual Park of Mauritius. We bring you photos of a few happenings at the Park recently.

Our new lady catalyst trainees having a coffee break during their monthly August 'Saivite Hindu Religion' and 'PParenting With Love' training session at the Park. They are all three now conducting youth classes on Bodhinatha's teachings.

Kulapati Amba (right) is a good support for the catalysts in Flacq area.

Some 100 youth are actually attending Saivite Hindu Religion classes in different places of Mauritius and the Himalayan Academy is updating another list of newcomers soon.

Parents in Mauritius wishing to enroll their youth in one of the classes of the island should email the Himalayan Academy at spark@hindu.org

The next catalyst trainee session will be held on Saturday 19th September at the Spiritual Park.

Back to our religious activities…. The Sivalingum is now the "not to miss" place of worship at the Park.

A happy family of our membership on Ganesha Chaturthi. Mrs Doorghiat and her three sons.

Kulamatas Manick, Koothan and Magadevi helping at the Mandapam after visarjana.

Another event has been the visit of swami Ramdev from India to the Park. Swami was on a three day visit to Mauritius.

Swami Ramdev is well known for his efforts in popularizing Hatha Yoga. During his visit to the island he has been holding yoga sessions in Goodlands and attended a few religious functions organised by Hindu organisations of the island.

Swami left after a very short visit at the Park.

A little crowd was there to welcome swami Ramdev at the Park.

On Ganesha Chaturthi the Himalayan Academy released this poster to the public. Hundreds of devotees bought one to keep in their home shrine.

The back of the poster is informative about Gurudeva's Ganesha vision of the Park.

Gurudeva encouraged all his devotees to take care of the elderly. Ideally we are able to keep our mothers and fathers at home with us, but sometimes it is not possible.

During his visit to Canada in July, Rishi Thondunathan visited an Extended Care Elderly Home in Toronto. Mrs. Meena Thavaratnam from Toronto also accompanied Rishi Thondunathan on this visit.

Mrs. Meena Thavaratnam is a devotee of Yogaswami and sings Natchintanai beautifully. She sang Natchintanai for the elders.

There were a few non-Tamil speaking devotees who attended the event. They all received an English Natchintanai booklet published by Kauai Aadheenam.