We have just six days before the final Iraivan Temple Mandala Pujas are performed by Kumar Gurukal and many accompanying priests. In the first two photos, Sivanadiyar Vatshalan and Malaysian taskforcer Sivajnani Nagappan work together on setup of the yagasala and audience tent.

Longtime sishya, Sivajnani Nagappan, is serving in the monastery's Siddhidata Kulam on our resident taskforce program for a few weeks. The timing works out well for him to especially help preparations for the Iraivan Temple final Mandala Pujas from May 8-11. Sivajnani has never husked a coconut before, so we gave him the opportunity to learn and husk one of the 250+- cocos that will be used during the upcoming pujas.

For many years, perhaps 25, we have been growing mondo grass to one day be planted around Iraivan Temple. That day is here, and there is a team of island members who have determined to hand-plant an enormous amount. They have started the arduous project. When done, this will be a lush green sea. This grass, which technically is a Japanese lily, has the look of ocean waves when the tropical winds blow, giving a swaying look to the landscape. It will look, ultimately, like the temple is floating in a serene green ocean. The entire project will take months, but we are in no hurry. One of the unexpected boons is that the Sivathondars are able to hear the priests chanting nearby, so Sanskrit mantras fill the air each day. Aum Namasivaya!

Aum Namah Sivaya

We hope you enjoy these belated photos from the March Iraivan Event! As you can imagine we have a large amount of photos from the crystal installation. This collection is from Rajkumar Manickam. The live stream videos of the event can be seen on our youtube channel, but this is the first large batch of still photos we've released.

We're thankful to have had such a successful and historical event take place with the aid of the Shivacharya community and with help from many volunteers.

"Through temple worship, the three worlds become open to one another, and the beings within them are able to communicate. By means of the mystical arts of puja, the worlds act in concert, and prayers are received." - Gurudeva

Jai Gurudeva!
Jai Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami!
Jai Kailasa Parampara!

With the prana pratishtha ceremonies finished, the tents are going back up over the front section of Iraivan Temple around the Nandi Mandapam, and the tiling team is about to start laying down the red granite tiles. They expect to take six to eight weeks. They will take a break during the final big Mandala Pujas from May 8--11 so all the extra priests can move about and perform the rites undisturbed. Also, our employess Doug and Jim today are installing the roof of the Iraivan Temple shoe pavilion next to the entrance steps coming up from the river.

For 48 days after a prana pratishtha, "Mandala Pujas" are performed to stabilize the newly created vibration. The final three days worth of pujas from May 8th afternoon through May 11th morning are more elaborate and preparations are in full swing for them. Ten priests will be here to perform them. New homa kundas are needed for those pujas, and a retired plaster specialist was sponsored to fly to Kauai and guide the process. He and our resident silpis are creating five new homa pits, each in a different shape and having a naga serpent slithering up the side, the head of which serves to hold the ghee container!

For optimal viewing, click the "full-screen" button in the top-right of the image

presentation by Rajkumar Manickam

Iraivan Temple's naturally formed, 700-pound quartz Sivalinga murti was officially installed (prana pratishtha) by ten priests over the six days of March 21-26th, 2023. The whole event was livestreamed, resulting in many hours of footage. Enjoy here a brief highlight reel-- In the coming weeks we will also share a updated documentary of the whole Iraivan Temple project from beginning to present day.

Jai Mahalingeshwara

Please enjoy this gallery featuring the awe-inspiring twin temples of Kauai's Hindu Monastery: the Kadavul Nataraja Siva Temple and the Iraivan Temple on San Marga. Nestled within the monastery's property and within walking distance of each other, these temples are a testament to the beauty and grandeur of Hindu architecture and spirituality.

Following a temple consecration, a homa followed by abhishekam is performed daily for 48 days to help stabilize the newly generated shakti darshan and for the benefit of society and mankind in general. One of the priests, Vivek Sivacharyar, has stayed on to perform these "Mandala Pujas" along with the younger Praveen Gurukkal who will continue on as the Iraivan Temple priest for the time being. The final three days are extra special, during which several Sivacharya priests will return to participate. In the photos we see storage of homa/puja supplies nearby, and Vivek Sivacharyar just starting the homa for the day with a few devotees attending.