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The Hawaiian Honu, Green Turtle

The silpis have reinstalled our rose granite turtle near Iraivan. It is one of the small carved marvels that pilgrims stumble upon in their explorations of the sacred gardens. The short story is that the fins were broken after it arrived from the Artha Enterprises worksite in Bengaluru four years back, so new ones had to be carved. They arrived in November and have been affixed in the last few days. This honu, symbol of widsom and good fortune, sits on his rock overlooking Iraivan Temple. With thanks to our multi-talented silpis.

Some honu facts: The Hawaiian turtle, also known as the honu, is a beloved symbol of good luck and longevity in Hawaiian culture. These gentle sea creatures can often be found basking on the sandy shores or swimming gracefully in the warm waters of the islands. With their green and yellow shells and friendly faces, honu are a cherished sight for both locals and tourists alike. In Hawaiian tradition, the honu is seen as a symbol of wisdom and is said to bring good fortune to those who are lucky enough to spot one. They also play an important role in Hawaiian marine life and are protected under state law. Whether you're swimming with them, watching them sunbathe, or simply admiring them from the shore, the honu is a truly special and revered creature in Hawaiian culture.

The honu is also commonly known as the green turtle. It gets its name from the greenish color of its cartilage and fat, which is visible through its translucent skin. The green turtle is considered an endangered species globally, according to IUCN Red List. Human activities such as hunting, egg collection, coastal development, pollution, and accidental capture in fishing gear have all contributed to the decline in green turtle populations. Conservation efforts are in place to protect the species and its habitats, such as protected nesting beaches, but more needs to be done to ensure the survival of this magnificent animal.


7 Responses to “The Hawaiian Honu, Green Turtle”

  1. Pethuraja says:

    “AUM”!.

  2. Amma Anne Deer says:

    Honu is so kind and lovable : )

  3. Rick Harter says:

    Beautiful !!

  4. Lynda mcclanahan says:

    What a sweet surprise for those who wander the garden.

  5. Sankuthi says:

    Jai Jai Shree Maha ganesh!
    Thank you Swamis for this post and the short story about Honu, the turtle with good luck, wisdom and longevity. What a beautiful creation! Honu’s wisdom has captured my heart, reminding me of my expected visit to Hastinapur -The City of Wisdom in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to deliver a Vel, which was blessed by Satguru Bodhinatha at MTNA and a picture of Lord Murugan in Araly, Jaffna, Sri Lanka. And the fact that Honu can turn 360 degrees reminds of Chidambaram and Nadaraja Shrines which rotates every 6 hours at the Lotus Shrine in Yogaville, VA. Finally, being the Vahana of Lord Krishna, the turtle is truly a marvelous creature. Hari Aum Narayana!
    Aum Nama Sivaya
    Sivaya Nama Aum

  6. Srilakshmi Rathakrishnan says:

    Aum Namasivayam 🙏🙏🙏

  7. Faith Collier says:

    In my experience, the honu is also finely attuned to humans, and sometimes swims forward as a friend and a protector. Awhile back, my husband and I were swimming in the ocean. There were many other people in that area of the ocean, as well. I remained in shallow waters, and Justice swam way, way, way, way out into the deep beyond my sight. After some time, a honu appeared a few feet away from me, connecting energetically. Then he clearly beckoned me to swim along with him. I thought he just wanted to play, but the honu actually made a beeline for my husband. Once Justice and I were rejoined, the honu triumphantly swam away. Aum Namah Sivaya!

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