KHM

Cleaning Rudraksha Forest Ganesha

A small prayer after cleaning

Getting blessings from Hanuman

Vel cleaning the Vel

Jai Ganesha!

Iraivan Day is a day each month that the whole monastery devotes to work related to Iraivan Temple and the San Marga Sanctuary. First thing in the morning, we all gather around in the Guru Pitham and prepare the month’s paper newsletters to be mailed to devotees. Once done with that each monk and taskforcer is assigned to do another task, by Yogi Haranandinatha. Here is a look into what Vel was doing for his Iraivan Day. He began by cleaning the Rudraksha Forest Ganesha which hadn’t been cleaned for quite a long time. Vel was very thorough, and Ganesha is now looking very neat and clean. Once done with that, he went to Murugan hill and cleaned the area around the granite Vel in top of Muruga Hill. Once finished, Vel took the Nataraja statue from the Saivite Satguru Path and washed and shined it well. It also hadn’t been touched for a very long time. As you can see, Vel took his tasks seriously and gave 100% effort. Aum!

The hydroponic growing bins, before the plants are planted

These are the new tomato plants

Ta-da! Planted where they belong!

In other news, Sadhaka Shankaranatha working hard to keep the weeds under control

Jai Ganesha!

A few months ago our greenhouse was affected by bugs, and the cost was our previous planting of tomatoes. All of them were affected and it required us to shut down the entire greenhouse and remove the plants. After the complete shut down the Siddhidata Kulam monks cleaned the space, inside and out. After that, the mathavasi started to work on growing the new tomatoes. Now the process of planting those vines has started, as you can see in the above photos. It’s just the beginning phase and very soon these little plant will start to produce tomatoes. Aum.

Yummy!

The pizza master Siddhanathaswami

Bagel Pizza!!

Vel is very busy cleaning all the dishes

Roshan giving some input on how to make the pizza more delicious

Mayilnathaswami comes to help too

Chandipati making the topping for the bagel pizza

Sadhaka Shankaranatha is guiding us on how to make the best pizzas

Jai Ganesha!

Once a month, here at monastery we break from our usual rice and dal, and we have a pizza night. The monks gather around and make fresh pizza using our wood-fire oven. This time it was very special because we had a lot of taskforcers to help the monks make pizza and have more fun for all. This, of course, made the event more memorable too. Here are some pictures of the process. Aum!

Flowers in the Garden

Our Taskforcers Roshan and Vel Mahalingam

Jai Ganesha!

As we were strolling around the Aadheenam we caught up with the monks of the Siddhidatta Kulam who were doing their seva in the Garden. It’s a routine they do each week to maintain our vegetable plants. From here we get several of our vegetable verities such as zucchini, pumpkin, kangkung, okra and green beans. The Siddhidatta Kulam usually spends their morning on the first day or our lunar week here, harvesting, planting and mulching. Our two taskforcers, Roshan and Vel are also here, enjoying the Garden Day with Mayilnathaswami and Vishvanathaswami. Here are some of the pictures we took, to give you a glimpse of our beautiful Annapurna Garden. Aum!

Kodiswara putting up the sign

There are two signs on each corner

Jai Mahalingeshwara!

For the past few months we have been facing a small issue where some visitors have walked up to Iraivan Temple while still wearing their shoes. They are not aware that the proper thing to do, is to remove them before walking up the entry steps towards the Nandi Mandapam. Since some people simply don’t know the protocol, we decided to put up a sign to inform them “No shoes or sandals beyond this point.” In some temples people are allowed to wear sandals within the outer structure. However, we must be strict because the consecrated Nandi Mandapam requires that people not wear their shoes around it. Today Kodiswara printed, laminated and installed the sign, which will be temporary until a more elegant, aluminium sign is created. Have a great day everyone! Aum!

Saravanathaswami chanting mantras before he starts to do the abhishekam

The abhishekam started off by cleaning Lord Muruga with normal water. Sadhaka Shankaranatha assisting Saravanathaswami with the abhishekam.

First we begin with milk

Followed by Yogurt

Honey

Panchamirtham

Ghee

Coconut water

Vibuthi

Sandalwood

FInal Kumbha of rose water

Final Arati

Divine darhsan of Lord Muruga

Vel Vel Muruga!

Yesterday was Skanda Shashti, for which we performed an puja and abhishekam to Lord Murugan in Kadavul Temple. Saravanathaswami officiated the puja, assisted by Sadhaka Shankaranatha and the monks. The puja was attended by Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami and many devotees, including those who joined in on the live stream (see previous post). The abhishekam included offerings of milk, yogurt, honey, panchamirtham, sandalwood water, coconut water from fresh coconuts, vibuthi and the rose water. Once finished with the abhishekam Muruga was elaborately decorated while devotees sang devotional songs to Lord Murugan, which created a powerful energy for everyone present. After the alankaram (decoration) the puja was finalized with the passing of flames, the chanting of Muruga’s 108 names and devarams sung by Yoginathaswami. The final arati was a very energizing day for everyone. Here are some of the pictures from the event for everyone to enjoy. Jai!