KHM

Aisles of the Greenhouse

Amaranth

Lettuce

Celery

Leek

Vel washing and cleaning the newly harvested tomatoes

Sadhaka Shankaranatha removing the old tomato plants

The revived Greenhouse that is producing the new tomatoes

Offering Ganesha the newly harvested tomato

Bandit waiting for his belly rub

Jai Ganesha!

Today, as we walked around the monastery, we noticed the Siddhidatta Kulam’s mathavasis and taskforcer working hard in the greenhouse. A few months ago, we had to shut down one of the greenhouses, which was growing tomatoes, due to a bug infestation that destroyed the plants. The Siddhidatta Kulam monks thoroughly cleaned the greenhouse to prepare it for new planting and resumed growing tomatoes. Just a week ago, they harvested the first batch of tomatoes and decided to offer them to Ganesha as a gesture of gratitude for helping them restore tomato production. Meanwhile, the other greenhouse, which grows various vegetables, is thriving and producing abundant greens for the mathavasis to enjoy. A variety of greens, including leeks, lettuce, amaranth and celery, are being cultivated. The images you see here are from the greenhouse producing these vegetables. However, access to the tomato greenhouse is restricted for the moment, to prevent another bug infestation. We hope you enjoy looking at these vibrant greens as much as we enjoy eating them. Aum!

Repainting the container

Vel collecting coconut for Maha Ardra

Jai Ganesha!

Several months ago, Vel Mahalingam arrived here as part of a task force to support everyone in the monastery. Here’s an update on his contributions and well-being during his time here. Vel has been actively involved with the Siddhidata Kulam, assisting the monks with various projects. Recently, he was helping the team repaint the Lambodara Kulam container, where all our puja items are stored. This container underwent significant renovation, and Vel’s efforts in repainting it have greatly enhanced its appearance. Additionally, he contributed to the construction of the new Siddhidata Kulam office, showcasing his dedication to improving our facilities. Beyond these tasks, Vel has also been busy harvesting coconuts in preparation for Maha Ardra. Aum.

Satguru holding the Purnahuti

Yoginathaswami showing the final arati to Nataraja

Panaromic shot of the big rainbow we spotted

Aum Namah Sivaya!

On January 12th, we celebrated Maha Ardra in Kadavul Temple. We began the day at 5.30am by performing a homa, which empowered a Siva Kumbha to later be poured over Nataraja during the finale of the abhishekam. Yoginathaswami was the main pujari for the day and conducted the homa with Satguru and our monks and devotees present. Following the completion of the homa, we then began the abhishekam at 9am. During the abhishekam Yoginathaswami, Siddhanathaswami, Saravanathaswami and Mayilnathswami were helping in the main shrine. Outside the sanctum, Satguru along with Tillainathaswami, Arumuganathaswami and Muruganathaswami were chanting Sri Rudram. Other mathavasi were passing abhishekam items like curd and honey into the shrine. When the coconut abhishekam was about to commence, all the mathavasi stood in a chain to pass the coconuts into the sanctum and out again. It was very well orchestrated. Once done with the abhishekam, the alankaram took around 30 minutes for the complete decoration of Nataraja, and the was followed by the final portions of the puja. Overall it was a very uplifting and vibrant event. All the monks and devotees present on that day could easily feel Siva’s darshan. Since we weren’t able to take photo or do live streams of Lord Nataraja, we at least got some pictures of the homa for you to enjoy. Aum!

A small portion of our large coconut. supply

Vel helps pick coconuts

Garlands are prepared at the new shop

Jai Ganesha!

Coming up on the 12th of January the monks will be celebrating Maha Ardra in Kadavul Temple! This festival is an important event for Nataraja, as it is the worshiping of Siva in form, as opposed to Mahsivaratri, which is for the Formless Absolute. For this, the mathavasi have been making garlands and preparing 108 coconuts, ten different types of prasadam, panchamirtham, 108 gallons of milk, yogurt, citrus juice and more, all for the abhishekam. Everything will be done on a grand scale. All the offerings will be prepared by the monks and taskforcers, apart from the prasadam which will be done by our Head Chef, Mani. Satguru will preside over the event while Yoginathaswami will be the head pujari and all the other mathavasi will help with the puja, the chanting and the abhishekam—especially the passing of 108 coconuts into the sanctum. Every year a great deal of planning and preparations goes into this event by the monks, as it’s one of the biggest pujas of the year. We won’t be able to do live streaming of the event since we can’t take video or photo of Kadavul Nataraja but we encourage you to connect in mind and spirit from your home shrine during the puja. We hope everyone has a great time on this auspicious day. Aum Namah Sivaya!

Jai Gurudeva!

Jai Gurudeva!

Today marks Gurudeva’s 98th jayanthi, meaning he would’ve been 98 years old today. To celebrate this auspicious event, in Alaveddy, Sri Lanka, devotees of our parampara performed a special puja for Gurudeva at the recently completed Paramparai Mandapam. They also recited the Thiruvasagam—one of the most sacred hymns for God Siva. This work was beautifully written by the Tamil Saint, Manickavasagar, as is full of spirituality and devotion. It contains 51 compositions and constitutes the eighth volume of the Tirumurai. It explains the connection of the soul to God Siva and how we should surrender ourselves to the feet of Lord Nataraja with purity and devotion, thus attaining moksha through His grace and divine power. Tiruvasagam holds within it core understandings of Saivism which few-other devotional songs provides. Below are words from our beloved Rishi Thondunathan about the event:

Today, we celebrated Gurudeva’s Jayanthi with the recitation of the entire Thiruvasagam hymns. The event began at 5:30 AM and concluded with a special puja at noon, followed by lunch for all attendees. Thanks to the Alaveddy Saivite Youth Organization for coordinating this meaningful event.

Love, Thondunathan 

Aum!

Dancers on a garden tour with Sadasivanathaswami

Jai Ganesha!

On the last Amavasya, dancers from the talented Shri Krupa dance school (based out of San Jose, CA) visited Iraivan Temple to perform a special offering. The group of six dancers came together to express their devotion to Lord Mahalingeshvara through the classical art form of Bharatanatyam. Each dancer performed with expressiveness and great dedication to their art, showing their love and respect for the divine.

As many know, Bharatanatyam is a dance form that combines rhythm, expression and emotion, enabling dancers to tell stories and connect with their audience. On the same day, a large tour group visited the temple. Each pilgrim entered the temple, not only to receive Mahalingeshvara’s blessings but also to witness the unexpected and marvelous performance. The dancers’ devotion to their art captivated everyone present, making it a memorable and spiritual experience for all.

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