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Satguru in UK, June 30 Pt. 2: Nagapooshani Ambal Temple

On the evening of June 30, Satguru attended the Sri Nagapooshani Ambal Temple in Enfield, a borough of London. The head priest, Kamala Sivacariyar, is a friend to Kaua`i Aadheenam and is grateful for the work done here. Photos in this slideshow include current construction of the garbha griha (innermost sanctum) which is in black granite, along with black granite pillars in the main structure's hall. When completed, it will be an impressive sight. The temple is scheduled next year to have its kumbhabhishekam, to which Satguru has already been invited.

Some additional background:
The Enfield temple is of the Sri Lankan Tamil tradition, and is very much actively involved in giving back to that community back in their homeland. The amount of charity that is performed, administered, and overseen is nothing short of impressive. Please visit their website here: www.ambaal.org
The temple owes its origins to the famous Nagapooshani Amman Temple on Nainativu island, just off the coast of northern Sri Lanka, which is a highly significant temple for Sri Lankan Tamils. It is mentioned in Tamil texts from over 1,500 years ago as well as being dubbed one of the 64 Shakti Peethams by Adi Sankaracarya in the 6th century C.E. The original temple suffered the fate of many temples in the nation, having been completely destroyed by the Portuguese in the 17th century. The current temple is from the mid-18th century. For example, the Nalloor Kandaswamy Temple, the majorly significant temple in Yogaswami and Chellappaswami's lives, was built, destroyed, and rebuilt four times over its history. Such is the tenacity of the Hindu spirit. Despite a multitude of powerful and negative forces, Hindu temple culture persists.

We conclude with this quote by Gurudeva from Living with Siva:

"If all the temples were destroyed, the gurus would come forth and rebuild them. If all the scriptures were destroyed, the rishis would reincarnate and rewrite them. If all the gurus, swamis, rishis, sadhus, saints and sages were systematically destroyed, they would take births here and there around the globe and continue as if nothing had ever happened. So secure is the Eternal Truth on the planet, so unshakable, that it forges ahead undaunted through the mouths of many. It forges ahead undaunted through the temples' open doors. It forges ahead undaunted in scriptures now lodged in nearly every library in the world. It forges ahead undaunted, mystically hidden from the unworthy, revealed only to the worthy, who restrain themselves by observing some or all of the yamas and who practice a few niyamas."

Tour Days Are Packed

Summer bring many visitors. Aran Sendan conducted a recent tour on June 18th

Satguru in UK, June 30 Pt. 1: Kew Gardens

This past Thursday, students and devotees took Satguru out for a visit to the spectacular Kew Royal Botanical Gardens in Surrey. The Gardens are spread out over 350 acres, containing some trees over 300 years old.

The Duggirala Family Visits

We felt fortunate to have the Duggirala family of Memphis, Tennessee, all eight of them, visit our monastery this morning. Here they are (along with other guests of the day) enjoying the sanctified headquarters of our Himalayan Academy publications' Media Studio. They met and chatted with Paramacharya Sadasivanathaswami and other members of the staff. Kaivalyanathaswami is showing them the key spots of the monastery, including Iraivan temple precincts where they noticed quite a change, "There was only the cement foundation when we were here last!"
We have known the Duggiralas for a long time; they have been faithful supporters and last year received our Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami at their India Cultural Center & Temple, in Memphis, where he gave a talk.

Homeward Bound Pilgrims

Kaivalyanathaswami enjoys a good-bye-for-now chat with Luisa Vaca in our Wiliwili Mandapam. She is an enthusiastic registered Master Course student who has just completed a month-long pilgrimage here. Today, she is returning to her home to in Castaic, Southern California. "This has been a tremendous time for us," she said. (Her 20-year-old son, Sebastian [not pictured], had joined her for two weeks of the pilgrimage). "It has brought us a lot of clarity and understanding. It's helped remove obstacles and brought us closer to the Deities! We really feel good about that. It was a great experience that taught me the deeper meaning of pilgrimage.
Luisa is originally from Peru and remains close to that country and its culture. In fact, in a few days she will be traveling there with Sebastian on a different kind of pilgrimage, to visit with the ancient Q'ero people whose ways of living and philosophy she finds identical to that of Hinduism and Saivism. Buen viaje, Luisa and Sebastian! We are eager to hear of your experience there.

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