From Chidambaram

The Nataraja temple in Chidambaram is exceedingly close to our monks and members. And it should be, being the Center of the Universe. We never expected the great dikshitar lineage of priests from that temple to visit Kauai, but that is exactly what happened this week. Father and son dikshitars are on the island for an eight-day symposium on puja, homa and mantras. They are teaching daily in Hanalei at a yoga studio.

They have been all over America, raising consciousness and also raising funds for their padasala in Tamil Nadu. Their Ratna Charitable Trust runs the Veda priest school in rented facilities, and they are seeking help to build a permanent place where the old traditions can be passed on to the next generation.

The father is Siva Rajasikamani Deekshithar and the son is Shanmuganandha Deekshithar. During their visit monks felt as though long lost brothers had returned.

Their hosts brought them to the Siva Puja yesterday and they were able to tour Iraivan and the sacred gardens with Sadasivanathaswami.

Gurudeva would count it as nearly miraculous that yoga students on this little is are learning puja and mantras from the dikshitars themselves. Gurudeva and Bodhinatha have a long history of connection at Chidambaram, and the two temples are powerfully connected. More so now. At the end of this slideshow are some photos from days gone by in Chidambaram.

As they departed they smiled and said they plan to come each year now and teach on the other islands too. We hope that is possible.

The two priests who serve Nataraja every day of their life, now visit Nararaja in Hawaii.

Their yogini hosts joined. One lives in Saudi Arabia, and the other is a Kauai yogini and hula dancer who remembers Gurudeva\

s every word to her. '

Gurudeva enters Chidambaram temple

They have seen many temples in America but marveled at Iraivan.

Visit to Bali Hai Falls

An amazing discovery! A papaya tree that is both male and female, both flowers and fruits. We have never seen one!

Our priest has never seen one either.

Bodhinatha with Anantanataraja Dikshitar and his son.

Gurudeva with Anantanataraja Dikshitar during an Innersearch program.

Blessings on the occasion of Gurudeva\

s 60th birthday celebrated at Chidambaram. '
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