Bronze Memorial Blessing: Installation Day Has Finally Come!
Today was a bit of history-making at the monastery. After more than seven years of sculpting and molding and casting and welding work by artists and artisans, and blessed by Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami's presence, we installed the life-size bronze statues of Gurudeva and V. Ganapati Sthapati in their final places just 150 feet north of Iraivan Temple.
At 12:38 the arati commenced and at 12:42 the stainless steel bolts were lowered into the granite stone, a time we are told when Jupiter was just rising on the Eastern horizon.
This is the fulfillment of one of Gurudeva's sweetest visions, to give pride of place to the creators of the temple, those who envisioned it, designed it and those who patiently chipped away at the hard rock for almost thirty years now. The main statues are now complete and in the days and weeks ahead will be added to the oval platform, with a goal to have them all positioned for another special ceremony to be held during this year's Mahasamadhi celebrations.
Standing on this center stone, Gurudeva is sharing his vision of Siva's Temple in Hawaii with his architect, India's finest. The architect is bowing before the satguru, his hands held in the traditional mudra of humility which South Indians assume before kings and holy gurus. Under his left arm, he holds the architectural plans for Iraivan.
With the monks and members present and Dennis Wong lifting with the back-hoe, these two took their positions for the next thousand years, so that future pilgrims might have a glimpse of how the temple was manifest on a tiny island in the far Pacific Ocean. AUM NAMA SIVAYA! SIVAYANAMA AUM!
7 Responses to “Bronze Memorial Blessing: Installation Day Has Finally Come!”
From Our Gurus' Teachings
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July 6th, 2017 at 3:59 am
Aum
Many, many thanks for this extremely gratifying and inspiring slide show. How wonderful to see Gurudeva’s vision manifesting perfectly on Kauai. I feel truly blessed to be included via cyberspace. Jai Gurudeva! Jai! Jai! Jai! Aum Namah Sivaya!
July 6th, 2017 at 6:30 am
What a beautiful installation,
Thanks for sharing.
Jai Gurudeva!
July 6th, 2017 at 7:16 am
Beautiful installation ceremony. The many photos made me feel as though I was actually there. (Maybe I was.) So delighted to see this vision of Gurudeva’s moving forward to its final completion. I liked seeing the Stainless Steel rods as the means of fastening the bronze statues to the massive granite stone for long-term stability. Congratulations for a beautiful and well thought-out installation!
July 6th, 2017 at 11:10 am
Vanakkam! Sincerest mahalos for transporting us to this beautiful manifestation of the story of creation. Lovely to see the many silent sevaks honoured in beautiful bronze, with Gurudeva standing as the Lion of Dharma – vibrant emanations alive with Siva. Nandri Gurudeva for the vision that manifests through the loving work of All at the Aadheenam. Thank you for sharing these auspicious moments enrapturing one in Siva’s Sambandam.
July 6th, 2017 at 8:47 pm
Amazing accomplishment. This story will be told for generations to come to millions of visitors who come to visit this wonderful gardens!
We are eternally grateful to all of those Silpis who sculpted this temple piece by piece and then who sculpted the sculptors!!! Thank you Holly and Team!
Aum! Aum! Aum!
July 7th, 2017 at 9:37 am
Jai Gurudeva!
Aum Namah Shivaya!
July 7th, 2017 at 7:01 pm
Blissful and awesomeness in one. A divineful event. Thank you for sharing. Aum Aum Aum