Rajakumar Manickam, one of Gurudeva's devotees, spent several months in India at the carving site of Kauai's Hindu Temple that will eventually be built here at Gurudeva's ashram in Hawaii. During that time he interviewed the craftsmen who are working on the temple. The carving site is about 11 miles outside of Bangalore. What is unusual about the site is Gurudeva's loving care of the workers. They worship every day in the morning together. He sends them safety equipment for their eyes. He has also set up a retirement program for them and occasionally gives everyone a break and sends them all on a pilgrimage. It has become the "Silpi Village." And here is what some of them have to say. More interviews will be posted in days to come

Arunasalam - stoneworker (emphasizing the word "OUR temple always")
"Stonework has been the trade of my ancestors. This has been handed down from generation to generation. This is all I know. My father carved Ramana Maharishi statue which is worshiped at the Tiruvanamalai ashram today. I started as a helper to the blacksmith, learned the job on site and finally got to work on stone. I have worked in six major temple projects. OUR temple project is very special to me because it is different in many ways and because it is OUR temple. I have seen Iraivan and it is super! "

Esaki (Also our carving site carpenter) says:
"Here is where I started learning stonework. I've never been away from my hometown more than two months but now I'm able to stay on here for more than 2 years! I have seen many temples in India but now seeing our own work I'm surprised and feel honored to be doing this.

Usually in the temple I only worship but now I have become more observant and appreciative of stone temples. Iraivan will be one of the most important and well-known temples in the world. I was not a religious person but after working here I feel more closer to God. I have more bhakti now. I have an altar at home now and I worship daily in the morning and evening. Seeing Gurudeva is like seeing Siva in person. I want to work here until the completion of the temple. I seek God and Gurudeva's blessings to continue working here."

Kandasamy (just completed a Bhadra Sthambam pillar ) says:

"I started working as a helper at Tirupathi temple work site and have worked in 4 temple projects so far. In comparison with others, this is the best place. No where else we worship together in the mornings. As a result there is no major mishaps at the work site. There are so many benefits for our daily worship. We seek Gurudeva's protection and grace. We see Gurudeva as 'Theivam'. Iraivan site provides good working condition and peace. There's no fights like in other workplace. The rules and conditions here are for our own good. It will mold us to be better persons and this will ensure a bright future. We will continue to work here until the project completion."

Perumal says:

"My main intention is to complete Gurudeva's work and earn a good name. In India now, this kind of work is very rare. The work here is very clean and beautiful. Ever since seeing Gurudeva his face is so impressed in my heart. We have seen many work sites but this is the most impressive place. The resident sthapati encourages us a lot and gave me opportunity to work on new designs and different courses. I am very keen to do this and further make use of all the opportunity given."

hotmasala@hindu.org