San Marga Path Paving Progress
Our employee and longtime friend Dennis Wong has finished laying rock and gravel in the lower section of the official pilgrims' path to Iraivan Temple, and now he is heading up the straight San Marga path, from the svayambhulingam heading backwards.
Metal Building Progress
The electricians team from California finished installing lighting and fans. Another team of monks and employee Doug installed insulation in the walls of all downstairs storage rooms, and another hired team has just installed sheet rock on all those walls.
Iraivan Temple Silpis Install Final Chains

Some days ago, our silpis installed hanging stone chains in the four corners of the Iraivan Temple mahamandapam roof. This constituted the final pieces of the temple to be assembled. Worthy of celebration! The silpis will return to India at year's end.
Electrifying the New Machine Shop Building and Office
Five electricians from California have begun the process of installing wiring, fans and power outlets throughout the new Siddhidata Kulam metal building, courtesy of our SSC sishya Easvan Param, a longtime electrican.
Three scissor lifts are rented for the project, which will last around a couple weeks.
Outside the New Siddhidata Kulam Building
Guesthouse in Alaveddy, Sri Lanka

As part of the amazing Satgurus Meditation Mandapam in Alaveddy, the team also just completed a guesthouse for the Kauai monks and other special visitors to Sri Lanka. Dr. Ganapatipillai Shanmugasundaram and his wife Tillaka were there from California for the official opening and blessing. Congratulations to all who made this happen so swiftly. It will be a welcome retreat far into the future.
Rock and Gravel Finished for Last Section of Pilgrim’s Path
Pillaiyar Kulam Storage Space Blessing

Siddhidatta Kulam Machine Shop & Offices
The new steel building has entered a new phase, with another team working on the framing of the interior office and equipment/storage spaces. A three-man carpentry crew is making progress with the walls, staircase and floors. This additional space, carefully designed to be super efficient, will help the monks to tackle land and construction projects into the far future. It has the additional benefit to the monastery of placing the sometimes noisy maintenance and building tasks far from the living quarters.
San Marga Path Paving Progress
The path from rudraksha grove to Iraivan Temple is finally being paved so that pilgrims can walk safely. In between some rainouts and other responsibilities, our longtime earthworker Dennis Wong is making good progress with laying down rocks first, and then gravel on top. He is beginning with the most difficult section which stretches from the svayambhulingam (under white tent in photo), down the hill, through the rainbow eucalyptus grove, around a corner to the flight of steps leading up to Iraivan, and also a bit beyond that to a stream. After that, he will work backwards up the straight portion of San Marga path towards Muruga Hill and beyond.
After the rock and gravel is laid, the plastic grid will go down, which is then topped with soil and grass planted in it. It will look much prettier than a cement path, and also less expensive.
From Our Gurus' Teachings
Archives are now available through 2001. Light colored days have no posts. 1998-2001 coming later.
