Kauai Aadheenam

A moonbow lights the sky above Iraivan Temple during our recent full moon

We’ve been getting lots of rain these last few days. Here, the setting sun shines through the millions of droplets

A good time for this swan neck agave to conclude its life with its one and only flower bloom

The rain also spurs forth the mushroom. These ones are blooming with a massive cluster

It gets to full size and only lasts a few days

Passion Fruit flowers are some of our favorite. Amazingly complex structures and an indescribable aroma

A scary sight for some! This mother centipede is about 7-8 inches and is coiled around her recently hatched keiki

This species of mushroom can be found all over. Easy to spot in the dark of night.

Our fresh mulch always has a few larger ones

Nimu doesn’t like the thunderous rain very much. He has to sing much louder whenever it pours

Some of our local ringneck parakeets enjoy the fruiting palms

“Everything should be an offering to God. The world is an altar.” – Yogaswami

Aum Namah Shivaya

Today marks the 4th day of our Monastics’ short lunar phase. Meaning the next two days will be our retreat days (like a weekend). As a gentle end to our week of seva, we offer you these photos from around the Aadheenam—appreciating the natural world we enjoy here. From the moon in the night sky above Iraivan Temple, to the plants and mushrooms erupting from the earth beneath us. It’s all a sacred sight to behold. Aum.

Mayilnathaswami performs the blessing to our new vehicles

Jai Ganesha!

As some may know, care for the Aadheenam’s vast acreage is greatly assisted by our small fleet of mostly electric utility vehicles. These little machines are used for everything from gardening and hauling tools to showing around special guests and providing simple, quick transport from A to B. These vehicles are in constant use, and at times we don’t have enough available for all the countless projects taking place. Thankfully, we recently acquired two new additions. The smaller blue one is in great condition and was offered to the monastery at a very low price, while the larger one was a gift. It had stopped working, and its owner said we could have it. Our monks quickly fixed a tiny problem and had it running again like new.

Before any vehicle or large piece of equipment enters service, our monks perform a traditional blessing for it. Last week, the monks of the Siddhidatta Kulam gathered at the large Ganesha outside their office and blessed the vehicles for a long, safe, and productive life of service.

Aum Namah Shivaya

Jai Gurudeva!

Join us at 3:30pm (Kauai time) for the final event of Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami’s annual founders puja (mahasamadhi puja).

Lord Panchamukha Ganapati, known by nearly all Mauritians as simply “The Big Ganesha”

Arrival at the Spiritual Park on the morning of the homa

Parading to the main mandapam

Vel lights the camphor arati

The homa is then lit

Kulapatis tend the flame while Swami burns the prayers

Next, a silent meditation with all present

Paramacharya gives an upadesha

Rajen translates to creol

An award from the Mauritian Department of Health

Final offerings

Pancha Arati. Jai!

Some wonderful bhajans to end the event

Our deep gratitude to everyone in Mauritius for the increadible stay! Aum.

Jai Ganesha!

On October 5th, the final day of Paramacharya Sadasivanathaswami’s and Sannyasin TIllainathaswami’s journey in Mauritius, the two had a wonderful time attending the monthly Ganesha Homa at the Spiritual Park. The day happened to coincide with a massive event at Ganga Talao, the island’s sacred hilltop lake, so only the staunchest Ganesha bhaktars were in attendance. This reduced the morning’s usual crowd of several thousand. When our swamis arrived they were greeted and garlanded at the entrance to the park, then paraded to the feet of Lord Panchamukha Ganapati. An arati was performed by Vel Mahalingam, the homa was kindled, and thousands of paper prayers were added to the flames. Following the homa was a silent meditation and then a talk by Paramacharya about the joys of Hinduism. An award was also presented to the Spiritual Park by the country’s Minister of Health, for the massive success of the blood donations that take place just outside the park during most monthly Ganesha homa days. Next was a final arati, followed by bhajans, and a loving farewell to our traveling monastics. Aum.

Beginning the evening ascent up to the hillside temple

A view of the temple (in the background behind the hall) just before dusk

Shishaya wait at the base of the steps to warmly greet our swamis

Greeting Shivacharya at the top

The view of the town from the temple at night is quite lovely

Paramacharya is seated to give an upadesha to everyone

The temple’s hereditary manager introduces the monks

Aum Saravanabhavaya Namah

Vel Muruga!

Recently while in Mauritius, Paramacharya Sadasivanathaswami and Sannyasin Tillainathaswami traveled to Quatre Bornes for an evening event at the Mayil Kovil there, which resides upon the nearby Corps-de-Garde hillside. Arriving in the evening, our swamis led the march up the nearly 300 steps stairway to the temple. Several hundred people were in attendance. After being greeted by the resident Shivacharya, the group circumambulated the temple and then stepped inside for worship at the main shrines, concluding with an arati to Lord Murugan. Paramacharya was then asked to give an upadesha to everyone. He discussed many of the joys and strengths of Hinduism, as well as provided advice for handling the encroachment from other religions, while including some stories about the advice that Gurudeva had given many years ago to crowds in Sri Lanka. Aum.

A group photo at the Shree Ghanapathy Temple in Wimbledon

Exploring the lotus and lily pond at Kew Gardens

The glass structure is the palm green house, which is well over 100 years old. They will soon rebuild it in the same style.

Inside reminds us of Kauai. Our tour guide talks palms with Paramacharya

Outside are many varieties of happy roses

some amazing trees here as well

Off to the cacti and succulent greenhouse

there’s even a baobab tree in the middle

easy to miss all the amazing little life forms

Satsang at the Santhirapala home

The following day’s visit to the British Museum’s special India exhibit

An explanation from one of the exhibit’s creators

The next day’s visit to the Shree Ghanapathy Temple in Wimbledon

Some expertly sung natchintanai from the temple’s oduvar

London was the next stop for Paramacharya Sadasivanathaswami and Sannyasin Tillainathaswami on their way to Mauritius. They had a wonderful time there, hosted by members and enjoying a few of London’s unique experiences. On their first full day there, they went on an outing to Kew Gardens, exploring the many plants. They got some good ideas for small additions and improvements to our sacred gardens around Iraivan Temple on Kauai. In the evening was a satsang at the Santhirapala home. After natchintanai singing from members, Paramacharya gave an inspiring presentation on managing one’s karma and on the mystical insights of Tayumanivar, while presenting some of the Tayumanivar songs that we’ve had recorded for our website.

The following day, members brought our monks into central London to enjoy a special exhibit at the British museum, featuring artwork, architecture and ancient murtis from all across the Indian subcontinent. One of the exhibits creators kindly gave a special introduction to our monks, explaining a bit about the informative experience they were trying to achieve. On the final day in London, our monks visited the Shree Ghanapathy Temple in Wimbledon. They enjoyed brief worship followed by a satsang at the temple’s Yogaswami shrine. The group included several staunch Yogaswami devotees, most of whom had met the Lion of Lanka when they were young. Aum.