Entry Staircase

Future pilgrims will climb this small hill which begins at the Wailua River, passes through a jungle of tropical plants and the three granite elephants and ends at the temple entry staircase. Doug has returned from a three-month stay with family in Michigan, and is continuing on the building of the two small lava rock pony walls, one on either side, to better define the staircase.

It is hard work, but he is a master mason (among his many talents) and so the work moves along swiftly. We are glad to see him push toward the top. Two arial drone photos in the slideshow are especially revealing.

One has the feeling of ascending into the Sivaloka as the temple is approached.

Doug mixes mortar at the top of the hill.

The stairs look flat from this far above.

And hauls moss rocks close to the worksite

Rock selection is the key.

Fortunately we have a giant supply left over from the temple plinth project.

He finds a good one.

Select, test fit, reject, select, test fit, install. Rinse and repeat.

The mother elephant and her calf work their way up the stairs.

Mom is carrying a gift for Siva, a bundle of lotus buds.

The mail holds a globe, symbol of Hinduism\

s tolerance of all things on the earth. '

Jai to progress!

Look closely and you can see that he is about one-third done with the two walls.

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