Blog Archives
February 15, 2004
"Then there is the joy of the mysticism of Hinduism. It is the world's most magical religion, offering worlds within worlds of esoteric discovery and perception. The inner worlds are what Hindu mystics tell of in the greatest richness and freedom of expression that exists on the planet. Mysticism in Hinduism is more out-front than in all the other religions of the world. As a result, it is enjoyed by more of the people in our religion. Mysticism is discussed more broadly and not limited to a few great souls or a handful of pandits. " -- Gurudeva
Today is the beginning of a four-day phase that ends with Maha Sivaratri. We also completed all the work on the latest edition of Hinduism Today which will go to press tomorrow.
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We had a homa this morning as usual and Bodhinatha delivered one of the talks he gave while he was traveling in India.
This coming issue of Hinduism Today contains a special 16-page feature called "10 Questions" which is an upgrade on the "9 Questions and Answers" we have had on the Internet for sometime. It also includes all 20 of the Yamas and Niyamas and will serve as a stand alone educational item for broad distribution.
We are printing an extra 84,000 copies of this special piece. A number of sponsors have already come forward to help, contributing so far about US$12,000.00 toward the printing costs and shipping of this very important document that sheds light on the ten most often asked questions about our religion.
If you are interested in helping with sponsorship and getting copies for distribution in your area for classes (English only) please send an email with your contact information to studyhall@hindu.org.
Welcome to Aditya Vinadhara who is here on Task Force from Utah. Aditya will be staying through Maha Sivaratri. He was instrumental in helping to start, with Gurudeva's guidance, the Ganesha temple in Utah.
Thanks for coming to help us, Aditya. In addition to helping the Siddhidata Kulam with their daily tasks, he is going to do some much needed work on the large bells of Kadavul Temple.
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Himalayan Academy Travel Study Programs |
2004 Indian OdysseyJanuary 19, 2004 - February 5, 2004 |
Day 16 of the Innersearch was a very interesting one spanning two temples in the morning. With Tanjavur still as home base, we all got into the buses for a one hour drive to another famous Chola temple -- Dharasuram. This one was built by the grandson of Rajaraja Chola. It was another Sivalingam temple, smaller but much more intricate.
We surmised that the young king thought "Well, my grandfather already did the biggest Siva temple in the world. I won't even try to match that, but, for sheer refinement and artistry, let us see how well we can do."
Knowing the man hours required for the work on Iraivan... coming here we were awestruck by the work done 900 years ago.
Again, like the other Siva Linga temples of the Cholas, these places of worship had been abandoned, were completely overgrown. Fortunately the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) has stepped in and are doing their best.
In the niches of the temple were these beautiful carvings of the various forms of Siva. A protective mortar covers the stones of the temple but these murthis have been left in their original condition.
Moogam Pareatumbee from Mauritius. This is his first trip to India. His wife, who had been here before, urged him to take time off from his very successful catering school and new restaurant. He is very happy he did.
A priest of Dharasuram.... slowly devotees are starting to come to these abandoned Siva temples for worship...
Chudika Mahadevan from California.
More sculptor's of Dharasuram....
We are receiving testimonials now from our Innersearch participants. If you traveled with us, please send your insights on the experience to us here. We are happy to keep your name confidential if you prefer, but it will be uplifting for everyone to have your thoughts on the impact of this yatra and being with Bodhinatha, to share with others who could not go. Send them to Sivakatirswami care of studyhall@hindu.org
Lisa Gibson from California...
We have these sweet thoughts from Malaysia:
"We had an extra special satsang at Kulapati Guhan's this week as we had the opportunity to have Brahmacharini Gowri share her Innersearch experiences with us.
After the usual Guru pooja, we had a wonderful Natchinthanai session, where our little Hemavalli & Rohini Sivalingam sang the beautiful Natchinathai "Kummi Adi Penne" for our Gurus." (continued below)
Dharasuram, though it feels quiet and museum-like on the outside has a special surprise on the inside. If you go into the inner sanctum and stand before the Siva Lingam, it feels like there is a giant laser ray from the inner worlds penetrating your whole being! Perhaps it was because it was so quiet, or there were no crowds of people. But it was a palpable force. In fact some of the Innersearchers came out of Dharasuram saying "Wow, that was incredible!..." You may never be the same! 😉
More from Malaysia:
"... A serene meditation session was followed by Sis Gowri's testimony. She told how amazing it was to be able to spend almost 16 days with Satguru, the swamis and the Innersearchers. It was a great experience to visit the temples in different parts of India and to be able to be with Trichiswami in Bangalore.
She also told how insightful the classes the Innersearches had with Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami and Paramacharya Palaniswami. The Karma Management classes they had with Satguru were particularly very useful.
"The journey was not easy," she mentioned. "We had very tight schedules, long hours of traveling, less hours of sleep, but it was a journey worth making. Each of us had the chance to sit and talk personally with Satguru, and even have dinner beside him! Now, how many people you know actually get to do that?"
Every place they visited, every swami whom they came across, who knew Gurudeva was sure to praise and talk highly of our Gurudeva, Satguru and our Lineage. This was the part that caught all of our heart. What she shared with us created the urge in our hearts to join the next Innersearch cruise. But what was more to that was the great feeling of joy and proud of being a part of our Guru Parampara."
We really have to thank the Archeological Survey of India for working on these temples. Such great treasures deserve all our support.
Andrew Schoenbaum, California
Michael McNeil, Atlanta, Georgia.
Devika Ajaya, California, but soon to be married in Malaysia.
Valli Alahan, Colorado.
Prem Chandiramani from Grenada, Caribbean. We have to thank our older, mature Hindus on the trip for bringing a lot of inner poise and stability to the whole group. Prem left Pakistan with his father and mother with nothing but the clothes on their back, leaving behind the whole family estate, at the time of partition and India's Independence. Now he's made a new life in Grenada.
Tyler Pearson, Canada...
ASI has certain policies about these temple sites, some a bit controversial. One is that there should be no commercial activities in the areas around the temple. This has the problematic result that tourism to the temple does not bring much income to the locals. On the other hand, the serenity and cleanliness with which the area is maintained is a great thing. Hopefully these centers will come to life with new religious inspiration and spiritual life in the decades to come.
Gurudeva's spiritual center in the island country of Mauritius
in the Indian Ocean near South Africa
The February 2004 Ganesha Homa was this month sponsored by the three kulapatis of the district of Flacq on the eastern side of the island. As is now the tradition, this monthly event is attracting more and more devotees from all over the island.
The homa fire is lit... the spiritual vibration starts to build up
There has never been such a heavy downpour on the Park as it has been on that Sunday. Despite the heavy rain outside, everyone was feeling comfortable inside the Mandapam. Four Kulapatis are seated around the homa.
Everyone is happily chanting the 108 holy mantra to Lord Ganapati....
...While others are worshipping Lord Ganapati on the inside.
During the Homa hundreds of written prayers from devotees present, dipped in ghee were burnt in the fire. The ceremony was followed by a talk on Lord Ganesha by Kulapati Mardemootoo. Then Kulapati Manick animated a session where devotees present shared many nice testimonies. It is always encouraging to hear others telling how Lord Ganesha is working out wonders in their life.
After arthi and vibhuti, devotees gathered under the shade of the mango trees for prasadam
The ladies are always ready to come forward to help serve prasadam to visitors. This is a wonderful seva for them...
These ladies are from the town of Vacoas. They have organised a pilgrimage to the Spiritual Park and have hired a bus for this trip. Mrs Gobin, spokeswoman for this Hindu group said that she has never seen a place in Mauritius so beautiful and spiritual as this Park. As a devotee of Lord Ganesha she says that the religious vibration at the Mandapam is very high. She is coming again with new people a next time. " Many people don't know such a place exists in the island, " she told our TAKA reporter.
Here are Mrs Veerapen and her two children with Kulamata Mooneesawmy on the left. The Veerapen are regular devotees of the Ganesha Homa and have been sponsoring gifts for the children of the H. Academy on Pancha Ganapati celebration at the Park.
This month was also marked by Thai Pusam in honor to Lord Muruga. This is a very spiritual and colorful festival in the island with massive participation from almost all Hindus. Church members actively participated in the festival too. Here is a young couple, dressed in pink, getting ready for the procession to the local temple.
Kavadis are wooden structures, mounted with bamboo frames and beautifully decorated with ferns and flowers. The shapes and sizes of the bamboo frames vary. Here is a Kavadi in the form of a Holy Vel, the divine symbol of Lord Karttikeya's divine authority as Lord of Yoga and commander of the devas.
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2004 Indian Odyssey
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