The highlight of Satguru's recent trip the mainland was his attendance of the kumbha abhishakam at the Hindu Temple of St. Louis, which was built 36 years ago by Ganapati Sthapathi and Selvanathan Sthapathi. While there Satguru also gave two talks which were well received by attendees.

Here is the description of a Kumbha Abhishekam from the temple's website:

A Temple is a home of the Divine, meant for collective spiritual benefit and upliftment. The omnipotence of the supreme is manifested into Idols by Mantra Sakti at the time of consecration (PrathiSthapana) through a precise process ordained by the scriptures called Agamas, thereby making the Idols into Deities.
Kumbhabhishekam is derived from the Sanskrit words Kumbha (meaning metal or earthern vessel) and Abhishekam (sprinkling of holy water). Kumbhabhishekam literally means pouring of sacred water (from holy rivers or ritually purified) from the vessels over the Vigrahas (Deities) and the temple Gopurams (towers). Proir to this, the divine energy and spirit are invoked through religious rituals and homas, and transferred to the kumbhas containing the holy water.

At the start of Maha Kumbhabhishekam, the divine power of the main Deities (Moola Vigrahas) is temporarily transferred by the priests, following procedures of Agama, into holy water (Mantra Jalam) collected in Kalashas (Pots). These Kalashas are initially brought into a makeshift temple called Balalayam. Between May 11th and 15th, 2022, the Kalashas are relocated into Temples Yagashala, where offerings are made into the holy fire, and daily worship, rites, and other special ceremonies are undertaken. Until the final stages of Maha Kumbhabhishekam, the Deities are worshipped in the Kalashas. Upon completion of Temple renovations and replacement of Ashta Bandhana (to secure Idols to peetams), the divine power in the Kalashas is transferred back to the Moola Vigrahas by pouring the Mantra Jalam (holy water preserved in Kalashas) on Temple Vimanams and Gopurams, while chanting elaborate mantras. This process is called Maha Samprokshana and Ashtabandhana Jeernodharana - together, called as Maha Kumbhabhishekam.

Aum Namah Sivaya
Yesterday Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami and Sannyasin Shanmuganathaswami left for the airport to begin their short, 7-day journey to the mainland, US. This will be Satguru's first trip in over two years. Their main event will be attending the Mahakumbhaabhishekam at the Hindu Temple of St. Louis, May 15-17. Aum.

Aum Namah Sivaya

Satguru's travels continue. After making his way up to Bengaluru, he and Sannyasin Shanmuganathaswami visited the Rajasankara's home and adjacent carving site. While there they got to see the remaining red-granite pots which will sit upon Iraivan Temple's perimeter wall. These are almost finished and will eventually be shipped to Kauai. Next, our travelers took a flight to Malaysia.

Several Days ago, Satguru visited JSS Mutt in Mysuru, Karnataka. Satguru was there to attend the Mutt's annual celebration of Jatra Mahotsava, to their founder, Adi Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara Shivayogi Mahasamji. Thousands of people from around the area were there to pay their respects to this great being, and to celebrate the lineage and all its wonderful works.

Aum Sivaya,

For the past few days Satguru has been in the Bay Area. Satguru attended Satsang with members in Concord as well as with the Bhajanai group, a group of Sri Lankan who have been gathering together for some 15 years. Aum.

Recently, Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami and Sannyasin Shanmuganathaswami left on their next adventure. This time Satguru will be visiting San Francisco, India and Malaysia. See more details about their destinations on our travel page

Photos from Satguru's recent trip to Malaysia to meet with members and to attend the kumbhabhishekam for the Tapah Siddhar Temple.

In early October, Paramacharya Sadasivanathaswami and Yogi Jayanatha traveled from Canada down to Southern California. There, they visited members' homes and had satsang. This was their final stop before returning to Kauai from their 25 day journey on October 6th. Aum.

At the end of September, Paramacharya Sadasivanathswami and Yogi Jayanatha traveled up from Tucson to Canada. While there their primary hosts were the Pillay family, who first took them for a quick visit to one of Canada's most beautiful national parks, Banff in Alberta. Following their exploration of Canada's natural beauty, they then traveled to the city of Victoria, British Columbia. While there, they visited the Pillay's home and and event was held for Paramacharya to give a public talk to more than 100 seekers and devotees. Paramacharya's talk was focused on the intricacies of meditation and on the complexities of karma. The talk was deeply appreciated by those who attended.

Aum Namah Sivaya

Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami and Sannyasin Shanmuganathaswami have been actively making their way through California, Arizona and Texas. Here are a few photos of their adventure.