It is Sun Five today. The Ganapati Kulam reported on their sivathondu. The whole team has been 100% focused on the next edition of the magazine.

Kulapati Deva Rajan is here on Kauai for an extended stay and coming every day to the Aadheenam to work. While overseeing the strategy for Iraivan’s roof finishing, he is also working on the future kiosk displays that will be placed out at the Swayambhu Lingam with paintings of Gurudeva’s visions. These will be substantial structures, beautifully designed.

Here he is planing large redwood planks that he himself recovered from a deconstruction project and sent over to the Aadheenam years ago.

We want to thank Deva for all that he does for the mission!

Meanwhile all the excitement is out at Iraivan as the Siddhidata Kulam is preparing for tomorrow’s stone lift of the final Rajagopuram capstone.

In preparation for this they must move the scaffolding in front of Iraivan away, so that the crane can get closer to the temple as the stone is very heavy and the crane cannot reach out too far.

The scaffolding unit in front is massive and water-logged from rains and heavier than expected. Larry Conklin, ever safe-minded, wants to do a weight test before he proceeds. He asks our team to attach a stress/weight measuring device.

This has a radio antennae on the back.

It will pass the information to Larry letting him know how much weight there is on his crane. He must carefully calculate the weight, distance of the arm of the crane from the center of his platform etc.

Sadhaka Nilakantha manages the rigging above.

All ready. Larry says the weight is within safe range. The lift begins.

For now the unit is set to the side.

It will be returned back to its place in front of the temple later when it comes time to dismantle the scaffolding above.

One has to really admire the Siddhidata Kulam for master-minding these giant module scaffolding units that can be moved around with the crane.

Tomorrow this stone will be up on top!

Our silpis are working on roof finishing. While each roof stone meets at the ceiling, on top there are gaps between them, The whole roof will be covered with concrete.

In order to level the massive area, the silpis are laying in screed levels that will be used to level the concrete when it is poured in.

Down below, Shama Kumaran hosts some guests.

Our silpi team is excited. Six of them will be returning to India in a few months, having completed their tour of duty here at the Aadheenam and their visas have expired.

Here is where the Rajagopuram capstone will rest tomorrow.

Two couples that Shama hosted today…

There are a lot of island people who make great contributions to what goes on at Kauai Aadheenam.

Here is Dave Burns, a master mechanic and a fine soul. We don’t know if there is any machine on earth he can’t fix. Well maybe the Space Shuttle.

He’s here working on the forklift at Iraivan.

We can depend on Dave to keep our equipment functional when things go wrong that are beyond the ken of the monks. He’s always very responsive, timely and gets the job done. Thank you Dave!

Our team of hired Philipinno gardeners. The come periodically to help with the upkeep of the grounds. These are elderly grandmas who continue to put in a good days work even as they continue to add years to their lives. Working outside keeps them ever young.

Gurudeva had a great vision to put funds into an endowment for Iraivan, even as we built the temple. Now the endowment is able to provide income for families like these. It’s tough times economically so we’re very happy to be able to provide some employment.