The monks of the Siddhidatta Kulam recently created an improved water tower for the monastery's vegetable garden. Using old I-beams that had been left on our newly acquired land, they fashioned the tower's main structure. This tower can hold more water, weather more weather, and has increased natural water pressure from its tall hight.

Sannyasin Shanmuganathaswami and Sannyasin Siddhanathaswami have recently returned form their short trip to California. Here is Siddhanathaswami's last message he's sent from the road:

Aum Namah Sivaya,

Yesterday was a busy day. We went up to Santa Monica for coffee with an IT professional, Sekuo Page. He runs a company that services a full range of tech areas from support and consultation to web server maintenance. He recently changed how he runs his business and was explaining the economics theory behind it (he's an economics major). It was an important contact for our tech area future. 

Next we drove by Venice Beach which looks like it has a popular bike/walking path along the beach. Then we drove up around the SRLF Lake Shrine. Looks like a really peaceful spot, but it was closed when we passed by. Then we made our way up through part of Malibu and turned inland toward the Malibu Temple. It was a beautiful drive with desert cliffs and canyons all around. At the temple, we walked around a bit and went inside the Vishnu part of the temple for some Darshan. It had a wonderful vibration. The Siva Temple building was closed while we were there. Then we drove back the long way to our hotel through Studio City, Hollywood and Beverly Hills. There are a ton of people in the LA area!

Today we went to a retail display store to look for hardware to purchase to upgrade the displays in the Minimela. Tons of great options! It's amazing how much easier it is to make decisions when you are seeing it in person versus just looking at photos!

Then we stopped at Om Imports and purchased some items for the Minimela. They have a container coming of large Ganeshas that just left India and will send photos when it arrives.