A Recap of Satguru's London Mission

We present photos from Satguru's recently completed visit to the United Kingdom from start to finish. Our full story today was written by Arulsishya Ramai Santhirapala of London.

Ramai's summary:

Between 28th June and 5th July, London had the immense boon of welcoming Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami. This was His first official visit since 2005 and one that was much anticipated. London has been gently walking towards Satguru's Holy Feet over the past decade, and inner doors opened as Hinduism Today reported on London's Saivite temples last year. A somewhat unanticipated and delightful sequelae of reporting this article were the many stories which emerged from those who had met Paramaguru Siva Yogaswami , Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami and Satguru Bodhinatha Himself. In short invites were aplenty requesting earnestly for the presence of Satguru in London bringing joy to the hearts of the Saivite community and beyond.

The visit was a gracious opportunity to visit a selection of London's Saivite Temples whilst spending time with the growing Europe satsang group of Himalayan Academy students and sishyas. Cordially Kulapati and Kulamata Veeragethiyar, London's only kulapati, held a satsang at their home to commence this blessed visit. The pada puja was vibrant and Satguru's talk on our Saiva Samayam was enjoyed by all. That evening heralded the start of the temple tour across London, first being London Sri Murugan. Satguru and Shanmuganathaswami received a warm vanakkam with a powerful Guru mantra chant with good friend Pitchai Kurukkral in attendance. Sri Murugan Temple and the close by Saiva Munetta Sangam have previously received Satguru Bodhinatha and Sivaya Subramuniyaswami in the past and this was a beautiful moment to build on this acquaintance. Satguru Bodhinatha's talk on ‘Saivism is Not Well Understood' was received with immense thanks from devotees, especially as it was read out in English and Tamil.

The next morning the Europe satsang group organized a visit to Kew Royal Botanical Gardens which provided an opportunity to stroll through the tree-lined vistas, find a little Kauai in London in the Palm House and visit the newest feature entitled ‘The Hive', the latter being an educational and audio-visual delight mirroring a real beehive at Kew. That evening Satguru and Shanmuganathaswami visited Enfield Nagapoosani Amman Temple where currently in construction is London's first all granite temple to which Satguru has been invited to its Mahakumbhabhishekam next year.

Continuing on this journey the following morning was a visit to ‘Shanti Nilayam'; a small building dedicated to Siva Yogaswami established by long term devotees. The owners sought Yogaswami's tiruvadi and most humbled as Satguru blessed them with a wonderful puja. Natchinthinai were sang and we heard a beautiful poem from an elder, now in his 80s, who spoke of the wonders of our Guru parampara. Lunch was served at the Jananayagam home, most well known for their multiple generation association with Siva Yogaswami. Yogaswami seemed the common thread as that evening, Highgate Hill Murugan celebrated its monthly katthigai puja in Satguru's presence ending with an auspicious inauguration of a picture of Paramaguru Siva Yogaswami. The Ganesha murti at this temple was gifted by Gurudeva and it was interesting to hear of devotees connection with Gurudeva, Satguru Bodhinatha and Kauai Aadheenam.

The unique and boon of a workshop on Saivism was held at Shree Ghanapathy Temple on the third day of the visit. This was immensely well received as Satguru Bodhinatha gave a talk he has written on ‘What is Saivism?', Participants found it very useful to flow from the mystical aspects of Lord Siva and Saivism through to pragmatic wisdom on implementing this to everyday life in a city. We flowed onto visit the home of London's Thiruchendur Murugan, the first Hindu murti in London, at Sri Rajarajeswari Amman Temple that evening where we witnessed a wonderful abhishekam, violin and mridangam recital.

The musical theme continued as the next morning Satguru was invited to London Sivan Kovil. London's othuvar, Samy Thandapani, amazed us with his precise recitals of Tamil thevarans and songs dedicated to Lord Siva and the Nayanmars. Interspersed were recitals by London's Pan Asai group alongside a flute recital. All the while Lord Siva received a wonderful abhishekam. This was a suitable close to the temple visits, all of which received a beautifully worded upadesha on Saivism by Satguru Bodhinatha and gifted with gems from the writings of our our beloved Gurudeva. To close five days of dynamic travel across London filled with activities, a satsang was held at the Santhirapala home where vratas were taken under Satguru's brilliant radiance. Prior to departing London, Satguru and Shamuganathaswami blessed the satsang group with an Aloha Dinner which took place in the riverside and greener side of London, Richmond-Upon-Thames.

Overall a blessed and vibrant time as all felt immensely grateful and blissful in the light of Satguru's grace. His words of wisdom and joy in His smile captured the hearts of many who look ahead to the next visit whilst also planning a visit to Siva's little island of Kauai. It is with the humblest of nandris to the love and dharsan from Kauai Aadheenam that this visit manifested and we very much felt the love from the international family; Siva's Sambandham. All is indeed His Dance.

Aum Namah Sivaya

Satguru greeted warmly at Heathrow Airport, London.

Shanmuganathaswami walking about Kew Gardens with devotees

Gurudeva was an avid supporter of tree-hugging, encouraging us to feel our body\

s energy and the tree\'s energy, realizing they\'re the same.'

Satguru and Ramai share a scenic stroll

As do Satguru and Vatshalan.

Vatshalan and Ramai\

s ever-enthusiastic Amma.'

Later, at Sri Nagapooshani Ambal Kovil in Enfield.

Worshipping the Divine Mother.

Being greeted for satsang at Kulapathi Veeragathigar\

s home'

While offering prayers, ladies toss flowers before Satguru\

s Feet'

A family group photo

At Highgate Murugan temple, a large, warm welcome greets our Satguru

So many eager, bright souls

Satguru presents his talk

Time passes, and we find ourselves at the Jananayagam home, the recipients of yet another joyous welcome

A musical offering for Satguru

\"Anbe Sivam,\" or \"Siva is Love,\" is realized when beholding the beaming faces of His devotees.

Onwards to the Yogaswami Nilayam

Satguru shows arati to all present after first offering it to Yogaswami

An assemblage of attentive devotees

Onward yet again, this time to the Shree Ghanapathy Temple

Lord Ganesha greets you as you enter, along with current information about the temple\

s events'

Hinduism Today magazine distribution at the temple

Satguru presents his talk to the group

Later, being welcomed at the Sri Rajarajeswary Amman Temple

Gurukkals worshiping Ganesha, Murugan, and Rajarajeswari Amman simultaneously by means of abhishekam

Procession of kumbhas

Later at the Sivan Kovil in London, devotees make the needed final arrangements for Satguru\

s impending arrival'

So eager to serve, so eager to have darshan.

Satguru has arrived!

First, Ganesha puja

Then worship to Lord Siva in the form of Arunachaleswarar

The temple\

s exterior is beautifully offset by an atypical, blue-skyed day in the UK'

At the Santhirapala residence, Satguru\

s final satsang is about to commence, beginning with a loving welcome for him'

Everyone is ready!

The youths are dressed impeccably

Attentively awaiting the big moment

Blow the conch!

Those garlands are piling up...prompting some laughter.

...getting taller still

More garlands! Ok, ok...

Veena and tabla serve to create a sanctified atmosphere for Satguru\

s visit'

Sankara Skandanatha makes his Vratasishya vow to Satguru

Ramai Santhirapala makes her Arulsishya vow, as well.

Welcome, you two! Om Namasivaya!

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