Every Brick Added to a Temple Made of Brick….”
"Brings that temple closer to completion." Gurudeva wrote those words back in 1957. If written today, it would be stone. Here the silpis are working at Iraivan, doing several maintenance tasks and some creative carving as well. Afternoons they work at Kadavul Temple after the morning pilgrims have left since it is a bit noisy installing the red granite flooring tiles near Nandi.
We are inspired to share one of the 1,452 songs by Tayumanavar today, something the editing team is working on almost daily. This poem is entitled "Where is God?"
Is it on top of this universe? Or beyond the top of the universe, or in the midst of the solar region, or in the midst of fire, or in the midst of the ambrosial lunar region, or in the worship of images that Your devotees adore with flowers and a melting heart? Or is it in the four directions, or in the rims of the horizon, or in the spaces vast, or in the sphere of luminous bindu and nada, or in the state of Vedanta-Siddhanta, or in the innumerable things seen, or in the invisible state of the void, or in the tenses three, or in the state of creation, or in the devotees who have conquered the sense potencies and sense organs? Where are You seated? Will You please tell the secret to this slave? O ocean of bliss that is cosmic light! The pervasive God of pure formlessness!
San Marga Path Paving Progress
Our employee and longtime friend Dennis Wong has finished laying rock and gravel in the lower section of the official pilgrims' path to Iraivan Temple, and now he is heading up the straight San Marga path, from the svayambhulingam heading backwards.
Iraivan Temple Silpis Install Final Chains
Some days ago, our silpis installed hanging stone chains in the four corners of the Iraivan Temple mahamandapam roof. This constituted the final pieces of the temple to be assembled. Worthy of celebration! The silpis will return to India at year's end.
Ganesha Chaturthi Puja 2023
As it has around the world, the annual day arrived to celebrate Lord Ganesha's sweetness with pomp in Kadavul Temple.
Because our puja was early, at 6am, Iraivan Temple's priest Pravin Kumar was able to attend and also offer some chants and songs at toward the end. He wanted a few photos of himself to share with family, so you'll see those in this collection.
The puja livestream--
Mauritius– Off to the Mahebourg Temple
A major event was held at the historic Shakti temple in the South, complete with beautiful chants at the Sivalingam pavilion, darshan of Ganesha and Muruga.
The Mahebourg Temple is a vibrant Hindu temple, known for intricate carvings, colorful ceremonies, and a peaceful spiritual atmosphere. It has been here since 1804.
A large group came to hear the two swamis speak. Anazingly, the leadership here is close to the Nandinatha Sampradaya and to this day has vivid dreams and visions of Gurudeva. They spoke knowledgeably about Challappaswami and Yogaswami.
A special dinner followed, the famed "Seven Curries" of the nation. Difficult to make as it is super complex, it was done by a smalll army of ladies who serve at the temple.
Pradosha Puja at Iraivan Temple
Rock and Gravel Finished for Last Section of Pilgrim’s Path
Mondo Grass Planting Update
Iraivan Temple Photoshoot
Aum Namah Sivaya!
Today, Brahmachari Shankara is serving in the Ganapati Kulam. As one of his first tasks, he was sent to Iraivan Temple to take photos of the recently completed red granite tiles around the temple's foundation. Upon Shankara's arrival at the temple, Pravinkumar had just arrived to open the temple doors for the morning puja and abhishekam to Lord Mahalingasvara. Before opening the doors he does a small puja for Nandi, requesting Nandi's permission to unlock the inner sanctum. Also happening in the temple, the silpis are carving a special drain from the sanctum gomukai. Iraivan Temple's morning puja is not yet open to the general public because the area is still a construction site, but the worshipful vibration is no less palpable. Jai Mahalingesvara!
San Marga Path Paving Progress
The path from rudraksha grove to Iraivan Temple is finally being paved so that pilgrims can walk safely. In between some rainouts and other responsibilities, our longtime earthworker Dennis Wong is making good progress with laying down rocks first, and then gravel on top. He is beginning with the most difficult section which stretches from the svayambhulingam (under white tent in photo), down the hill, through the rainbow eucalyptus grove, around a corner to the flight of steps leading up to Iraivan, and also a bit beyond that to a stream. After that, he will work backwards up the straight portion of San Marga path towards Muruga Hill and beyond.
After the rock and gravel is laid, the plastic grid will go down, which is then topped with soil and grass planted in it. It will look much prettier than a cement path, and also less expensive.
From Our Gurus' Teachings
Archives are now available through 2001. Light colored days have no posts. 1998-2001 coming later.