Escalating Elephants

Recently, two of our stone-carved elephant statues have been put into place along that will be the future stairway that pilgrims will walk to reach Iraivan Temple. The stairs will be made from concrete with stone details, paralleled by a 15-inch-tall lava rock-clad railing on either side. The elephants, placed by the silpis before they left, will greet you as you make your ascent. They stand in place of the live, temple elephants we sadly can't get here on Kauai. The male elephant in the lead, holds an intricately carved globe in his trunk, symbolizing the universality of Hinduism and its acceptance of all people, beliefs, and existences in this world. The female leads her child behind her representing Hinduism as a powerful guiding force for all souls of the world.

The monks at the Siddhidatta Kulam place the stone elephants on the site of the future steps

Larry Conklin uses his masterful claw skills to move the elephants into place

The forms for the concrete are now being readied for the future foundation of the steps

Jai Ganesha!

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