Satya and Savitri Palani from California came to update Bodhinatha on their future plans.

Rohan Malkhare and his wife from Seattle area have been studying Gurudeva's books on line for many years.

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END OF PHASE

Today is the last day of our phase.

Bodhinatha departs for Singapore tomorrow morning early.

This edition of TAKA will remain posted

over our coming two-day retreat,

until Dasami Tithi, Sun One, Tuesday, March 3rd.

Here we are in Sirkali, the birth place of Saint Tirujnanaambandar! This is the only photo we could take in the temple. The bamboo is an unusual variety for us to see. Lord Siva in the main sanctum in known as Thoniappar. This temple actually has two other shrines above main sanctum--second and third floor--very unusual.

The Kanchi Mutt has preserved the Saint’s home and turned it into a padasala for young priest’s to train. The walls of the school show Saint Sambandar’s whole life up to his mahasamadhi where he and all the guest’s at his wedding were absorbed in the clear white light.

A closer look shows an unusual tight knots on the trunk. Each temple has tree or plant associated with it. They known as Stala Vriksha. For this temple it is Bamboo.

Some photos of thresholds were taken at Sirkali’s Raja Gopuram entrance.

Another design--simple and elegant.

Day 3 takes us to Swamimalai for a meeting and inspection of Iraivan’s Avudaiyar.

The Avudaiyar will weigh about 11,000 lbs upon completion.

Kubera Sthapati is the metal work sthapati that works under very close supervision of Selvanathan Sthapati.

Yoginathaswami makes his normal Tamil light hearted conversion to put everyone at ease. Serious stuff to be discussed later…

Selvanathan Sthapati and Yoginathaswami listening to Kubera Sthapati, explaining the details to bring the Avudaiyar to completion.

Kubera Sthapati’s brother.

He is explaining to us some of detailed ornamentation he worked on.

Now to the serious stuff. Swami and Selvanathan Sthapati taking a close look at refinements that will be made.

More looks at the detail. We have high expectations for Iraivan’s work and our visit’s to India allow us to make sure perfection is clear.

These are the three silpis who worked on the Avudaiyar everyday. We explained to them the quality and fine workmanship are aspected of them and very much appreciated by the monks

More discussions between Yoginathaswami and Kubera Sthapati

A group photo of monks, Sthapathis and Tiru Nellaiappan

Our staff in India loves to welcome the monks with grandeur. Here they have made a billboard in front of the shop visible for all to see when they drive through Swamimalai temple town!

The sign says it all.