For quite some time there's been a blank space on the four, flat, bottom faces of the wooden dhvajastambha ("flagpole") in the Nandi Mandapam at Iraivan Temple. Blank no more! The gold-plated copper plates arrived in the recent (and final) container shipment, along with the gold-plated Tiruvasi (brass arch) Which will rise behind the Sphatika Sivalinga.

All the items were installed just days ago and are exquisite, as you'll see in this photo collection. Beautiful miniature yallis (guardian figures) mount on the four corners of the dhvajastambha panels.

In the photos the tiruvasi is still wrapped in plastic, which will be removed a bit later.

Back in the 1990s, yes last millennium, we poured a massive amount of concrete footings all around the temple perimeter. The purpose was to use this rugged footing to build super-strong supports for the forms that would hold 4 million pounds. These footings weighed 300,000 pounds. though it was buried deep in the ground, some of it had to be removed recently, and in previous TAKA posts we showed Dennis Wong collecting the large pieces and then breaking them up. The next step was to bring in large containers, four in all, and load them with the rubble. They were taken away, ground into small pieces and are being reused in other construction projects on the island.

Before the red granite tile setting begins soon around the outside of the mandapams, we need to install many water drain screens that connect to drain pipes embedded in the concrete foundation. Making that connection requires us to modify PVC piping somewhat. Today a plumber visited to get familiar with the job. He met with Arumuganathaswami and Yoginathaswami to discuss details.

Today was the long awaited arrival of the final shipment of stones and other items for Iraivan Temple. After a long journey from Bengaluru, these final containers landed on Kauai several weeks ago. They've been going through detailed import inspections and today, at long last, their contents have made it to the Aadheenam grounds. The delivery contained, among other things, the remaining rose granite flower pots which will grace the walls of Iraivan Temple's perimeter wall, the stone carved cladding for Kadavul Temple's Nandi Mandapam and Kodimaram, Iraivan Temple's new Nandi, and the golden Tiruvasi which will stand behind Iraivan Temple's Crystal Lingam once installed. Om Namah Sivaya!

Aloha,

On this glorious day we are happy to announce that you are the first to know about two new areas on the monastery grounds! Thanks to a super huge excavator and our talented operator Dennis Wong, we uncovered two areas that until now contained items too large for the Monastery's machinery to handle. The first area is our organic waste depot where we deposit palm fronds and other organic matters from our landscaping. The area was becoming a little too full to be used properly. The second area is the space around Chellappaswami's granite statue at the top on the Path of the Saiva Satgurus. It was inhabited by some dead (but still fighting) banyan trees. Now we can look forward to the beautiful gardens that will be placed in their absence!

Aum Namah Sivaya!

Aloha One and All,

Continuing with our progress on Iraivan Temple, a crane was recently brought into the monastery to lift tens of thousands of pounds of heavy granite tiles up from the ground onto the foundation in readiness for the August-October installation. The foundation is currently bare concrete, but when the lengthy and much more complex than you think process of fitting the stones is complete, there will be an elegant red granite floor where pilgrims will walk. We look forward to showing you (and seeing for ourselves) its completed form!

Aum Namah Sivaya

Good mornafterevening, continuing the long tradition of replacing the old red concrete path around the monastery we replaced the old red concrete path by Bodhinatha's office with some brand new quartzite. Even though the process was very distressing for Mr. Path he was very happy to have it complete as he could finally fit in with his quartzite-laden friends. Additionally, if you were wondering, Quartzite is a hard, non-foliated metamorphic rock formed through tectonic compression of sandstone within orogenic belts. That definitely wasn't from wikipedia, monks are expert geologists by nature.
Aum!

Jai Ganesha!

Over the last few weeks we've had a team working on an important creative project for future visitors to enjoy. A redwood shrine is being built for Iraivan Temple's granite bell. After completing the design we set about to create the form foundations and several days from now we will be pouring the concrete. After that it will just a little bit of fancy woodworking and viola! A place for pilgrims to summon the inner worlds through the evanescence of a gigantic masterpiece of granite. Aum.

Aum Sivaya! You might want to reconsider reading today's post as it might be too powerful for mere mortals' minds. You have been warned! Today a fierce new fence and accompanying gate have been installed near the start of San Marga. With the new Iraivan Temple parking lot area now open to the public, this enchanted swamp green gate will keep the uninvited from gazing upon Iraivan's celestial glory. It took less than a day to construct this fence but its sturdy frame will allow it to resist our weather's potent power of dissolution. Hopefully soon these gates will open for you so that you might deliquesce in Iraivan's glory. Aum Aum Aum

Bonjour all,

Today we will be visiting a thing that did not technically occur today, but in a way, you reading this right now is creating it today. Anyways!.. Work has begun on the Pillaiyar Kulam office expansion. The Pillayar Kulam is the group of monks who oversee the Mini Mela, magazine subscription, and much much more. The space has been quite tight for a long time so its great to see the building getting a much needed confidence boost. This building will accommodate current and future monks for many years to come. Aum