Prasad and Gargi Panchangam from the San Francisco Bay Area had darshan with Bodhinatha. They bought the entire Master Course trilogy today after Prasad had earlier read only Dancing with Siva and found it so excellent. They are members of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh and really appreciate our monastery’s help in uniting Hindus. They were present with other Hindus at the California Board of Education hearing to protest the presentation of Hinduism in the 6th grade social studies textbook.

Meanwhile Bodhinatha’s latest talk was uploaded today. Check the right side bar to listen to his latest upadesha.

They asked Bodhinatha how they could help us, so Bodhinatha offered to send them free copies of What is Hinduism for giving to key leaders in the HSS and elsewhere. Bodhinatha specifically suggested that they help promote the concept that diversity in Hinduism is good (i.e. four major distinct sects), that we are not trying to make all Hindus follow one path.

Our temple silpis pose in front of the entrance to the Iraivan Temple with todays visitors –

On the right: Prasad and Gargi Panchangam (originally from Bangalore) now living in Sunnyvale, CA.
In the middle: Nina and S. Suresh are from Chicago (originally from Chennai). Nina’s parents hosted Gurudeva in their home in 1982 where he gave them a Vara Siddhi Vinayaka and asked her father Mr. Rajan and another gentleman, Dr. Janakiraman to perform regular pujas every Sunday (which they did) and soon their temple manifested through the Grace of Lord Ganesha and the Sat Guru. Nina and her family “were all moved by the spiritual power and simplicity of Gurudeva.” She and her family are very grateful and have benefitted greatly by the spiritual knowledge and teachings of Gurudeva.

Prasad and Gargi with the very beautiful handcarved umbrella Ganesha on the path to the Iraivan Temple.

Dakshinamurthy under the banyan tree.

Gargi owns her own Bharatanatyam school in the Bay Area “Samarpana Dance Academy” where she teaches the Kalakshetra style of dance. This is their first visit to the Kauai Aadheenam; although, Prasad has been communicating with both Sivaya Subramuniyaswami and Bodhinatha over the years.

Shyam Mayasandra with his wife Roopa and their two sons, Vivek and Aniruddha. This lovely family arrived for the powerful Tiruvembavai Ardra Abishekam. Roopa, who is a Bharatanatyam teacher, danced beautifully with such devotion in the temple following the ceremony. The following day they were given a tour of the Iraivan Temple and were then blessed with a private meeting with Bodhinatha in the Guru Peedam.

Visiting for the second time, here are Jeff and Sally Smith, now newly weds and close friends of devotees Shakti and Dasam Mahadevan of San Diego.

The Hindu Svayamsevak Sangh invited Kulapati Easan Katir to speak at their West Coast Winter Camps. Here is the Sevikas’ (girls) Camp at a retreat in Los Altos Hills, California. The campers heard about “Anger Management” from the text What is Hinduism?

This is the Boys’ Camp at the YMCA Point Bonita, near Sausalito, California. The topic was the Hindu History Lesson publication for US social studies classes, how chakras work together, and in-depth discussion of “Anger Management”. One participant voiced a sign of success for a speaker: “The presentation was too short. We wanted to hear more.”

We are pleased to share with everyone a first series of photos for a common Pancha Ganapati celebration for all the Mauritius membership and student youth. It was fun for all youth and adults on that December 22 at the Spiritual Park of Mauritius.

Early morning the sishyas were there to set up the Mandapam…

Arranging the traditional tornums ….

The participants have not yet arrived….

Some balloons to enhance the festive atmosphere…

The celebration started with a simple arati to Lord Pancha Mukha Ganapati. ….

Then to Gurudeva …..

….. and to Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami

The short puja was followed by a cultural item… a few Ganesha bhajans

Followed by a short meditation….

The Mandapam was very quiet inside….

seeking peace on the inside….

There was a juice break with a variety of sweets and snacks served to all. Energetic fun activities have been scheduled after that …

The youth have been divided into five teams, each representing a shakti of Lord Ganapati: Red, Blue, Yellow, Green and Orange.

The juice station….

A view of the little crowd at break time.

A second series of photos is coming next….

Our final installment for Pancha Ganapati festivities in Malaysia. Mohana has the story.

The 4th Day of Pancha Ganapathi…Exquisite decoration of Lord Ganesha in Green.

The sadhana of the day was to draw fourth the vibration of joy and harmony that comes from music, art, drama and dance.

Devotee present are high in spirits as well…All dressed in green, colour of the day.

The 5th and Final day of Pancha Ganapathi was celebrated at the Muthu Mariamman Temple in Klang.

Special prayers and Ganapathi Homa was conducted as starting of the event.

Panchamukha Ganapathi majestically dressed in Orange, colour of the day.

What a collection of gifts…Its from Lord Ganesha to give away at the end of the day.

Next segment of the event was ….Games!!

All joined in to have some fun…

Some for the little ones..

and for the elders as well….

It was so exciting to see everyone having such a good time….

Lunch was served after that…but that was not the end of the event…

Look who is waiting to make his appearance at the back stage…..Its Lord Ganesha!!!

He has come to give the gifts away to everyone!! Everyone is so happy to receive the gifts.

And all the happy souls takes a shot with Lord Ganesha !! Jai Ganapathi!