It's Sun 1, a brisk october day, on the Garden Island.The morning homa was especially invoking our Gods to bless the journey of our two monks who are traveling tomorrow to California on mission. That is Yogi Tapodhana in yellow to the left of the fire and Natyam thondunatha to the right, in white. We wish them a most fruitful journey.

By the way, in Gurudeva's audio talk today he focuses on the subject of Halloween and just how we should look at this festival, and he invites you to submit your own questions for him to address. Send any and all questions you want him to speak about to: kumar@hindu.org

Yesterday we captured Gurudeva in a quiet moment during the retreat days. He is seated and painting some sacred images that will appear in the merging with Siva book that is being crafted here by the mathavasis. But that's not even paint. It's vibuthi!

Our members are here, with the 108 tandava poses of Siva behind them on the display shelves, after the morning homa. they are helping Gurudeva arrange a marriage that will take place in California next week.

Some special gifts were brought to the island and members took home a few useful things for their use. here they are rummaging in the Mango Mandapam. Such wonderful happy faces.

Selvi is a competent rummager! There she is with some wrapping paper and (what else, Selvi?)

It's a weed! Yes, not only that it's name is Wiedelia! But in Polynesia even the weeds are lovely, if you look closely at them.