Final Two Containers from India

The team in Bengaluru has been working hard to bring all the pieces together for the last shipment to Kauai. A few days back you saw them making the solid crates that will protect the sculptured stones during their 8,000-mile voyage. This slideshow is historic, since there will be no further containers coming from India for Iraivan. We thank the Rajasankara family for documenting this, not easy when you are in the middle of complex packing and moving. Enjoy the slideshow, and this short movie.

Your browser does not support the video tag.

Senthil and Thurai oversee the teams, following a packing plan they took days to map out, since the contents will fill up nearly every cubic foot of space. Planning is the key.

Our own Chinmayee dives into the project, a young woman with a most interesting and diverse life!

A special extendable lift had to be hired for the loading. The team reported it was the perfect tool, giving great control for massively heavy crates.

Here the lift manages crates stacked three high, still keeping the tight control needed.

Hours and hours were required.

Inside another team is busy with the smaller items that will ride on top of the big stones. Here the gold-plated arch, which will grace Iraivan\

s sanctum, is being packed so the delicate copper and fold work will not be marred. '

More murtis.

Swapna guides the indoor packing team.

These granite Sivalingams were made specially for the MiniMela. They are a hard item to find in the West.

Again, protective wrapping is the key. One never knows how rough the equipment will be at one of the docks, bouncing items around.

Swapna seals the mahakala that goes atop the golden tiruvasi.

The Sivalingams are nested in a tight box.

Where does that next crate go?

Swapna has made signage so the team in Kauai knows just what is in each crate.

A gold-plated Nandi for MiniMela.

The tiruvasi (this is half of it) looks like a giant boomerang.

Father and daughter working together late into the night.

More boxes, and then more.

Chinmayee doing Sivathondu.

Good job!

She then supervises the placement of the tiruvasi she just sealed with fifty pounds of bubble wrap and tape!

Getting near the top! Light packages go there.

Nearly touching the ceiling.

Container #1 holds the balipitham stone that will go in front of Kadavul Temple.

Container #2 has the larger stones packed tight. Can those doors still close?

The answer is yes, and all gather to celebrate the departure of the two trucks.

They are headed to Chennai tonight. Thurai will follow in the morning to sort out all of the customs paperwork, permits and fees. Jiva plans to have a celebratory feast for the family and silpis, to mark the accomplishment.

}

];