Kodimaran Placed Into Iraivan!

Yesterday was a marvelous day at Iraivan. The Kodi Maram was lifted by crane and four top roof stones of the Nandi Mandapam roof where placed around it. It was magical. It is really tall! Congratulations to the Siddhidata Kulam and especially the silpis and Sannyasin Yoginathaswami. The logistics of the operation was a "smooth as glass!"

Larry Conklin our ace crane operation brought his crane up next to the Nandi Mandapam.

A plan is made to rig the pole.

A single wrap with a short piece of wood screwed in above the wrap. That\

s all Larry says!'

Lots of discussion.... the silpis are concerned. \"Should we have two slings?\"

Larry says, this is better. Two slings could tilt the pole, this way it will hang straight down. \"Let\

s try it....we will know right away.\" '

A \"tag line\" is attached do that we can control swaying.

Up she goes! The weight of the pole is \"nothing\" for the crane which can handle big heavy stones.

Just like Larry said it would, the pole hangs almost perpendicular to the ground.

Up to the top of the Nandi Mandapam.

Wow! the crane is up nearly 75 feet, 46 feet for the pole, and to top of the Nandi Mandapam is another 25 feet.

Now in place... \"Down scope!\"

Looking inside the scaffolding around the mandapam, we see the pole coming down.

The silpis are inside, guiding the pole

Down, down, down... almost there.

Giant wedges keep the pole in place until the consecration ceremony when Bodhinatha comes home.

Crane is loose, ready for four roof stones

These surround the pole and have a beautiful ornament which appears on the ceiling,

From above we see the wedges holding the pole in place. It nearly touches the ground underneath the floor.

The four stones are left apart, as the pole will be raised up for the final ceremony.

A look from underneath.

Another historic day at Iraivan!

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