Gold Leafing on Raja Gopuram completed
June 11, 2009Deva Rajan and Jill inspect yesterdays gilding for any missed spots which need to be touched up. Upon completion of the gilding, the tarps and wind breaks were removed. At about 1:30 PM the Sun shone brightly on the Raja Gopuram. Micheal Kramer uses a gentle brushing technique which attaches...
Golden Day
June 11, 2009Golden Guardian. With fierce visage and sharp fangs this creature looks out upon the temple compound, providing psychic protection. Today the guilders, under the expert guidance of artisan Michael Kramer, continued gold leafing the giant stone that sits atop the entry tower. From the roof one sees Rishi...
Another Day Glistening with Gold
June 10, 2009Sun Two was another, literally golden day at Kauai Aadheenam. Light morning showers were followed by sunlight and everywhere light was glistening, but nowhere as brightly as on top of the Iraivan temple. This is our wonderful team from the Gilders' Studio who are here all the way from Olney,...
Dr. Thiagarajan, Sanskrit Master, Visiting from India
June 10, 2009Dr. Thiagarajan Rajagopalan arrived from Chennai yesterday and is our special guest for a week. Saravananathaswami is hosting him today with a grand tour. Here they are up on top of the temple watching the gold leaf work in progress. A retired professor who was head of the Sanskrit department...
Fourth Annual Saivite Retreat in Southern California
June 10, 2009The Fourth Annual Memorial Day Saivite Retreat was held in Corona, California this past Memorial Day weekend. Twenty-five participants of all ages attended this three day Retreat which was conducted by Rishi Thondunathan. Events included classes for children, philosophical discussions for adults, Hatha Yoga, group meditation, games and field trips....
Gilding Iraivan Began Today
June 9, 2009We begin a new phase today and all attention is centered on the gold-leaf work at Iraivan. This morning at exactly 8 am, Bodhinatha applied the first piece of gold leaf to the end of the Rajagopuram. Deva Rajan is on hand to help watch over the project. Here he...
Sun One Homa
June 9, 2009Earlier in the morning we began our phase as usual with a Homa. Arriving task forcer, Aran Veylan from Edmonton, Canada sponsored today's rites. The Sacred fire is conveying prayers to the devaloka.
Visitor darshan with Bodhinatha
June 9, 2009The Sutaria family visited yesterday and today from St. Louis area, Missouri. They attended the 6am Siva homa this morning and also had the opportunity to witness Bodhinatha placing the first gold leaf on the Iraivan Temple rajagopuram capstone. They were very happy to have found our place and remarked...