Taka Archives

Thanks to the Pillaiyar Kulam!

Sun Four today... The Pillaiyar Kulam gave its report. Sannyasin Shanmuganathswami is working on a wide array of projects: guiding the new visitor info center construction; installing new phone boxes; preparing the Hindu Heritage Endowment newsletters; lining up activites for the trip to Mauritius and Malaysia with Bodhinatha in April....

Aloha Card Reprint

 In the Press shop the last days of production of the April issue of Hinduism Today are still underway. Periodically we print other items on the same sheet as the cover of Hinduism Today as the cost for 4-color printing on quality paper when we do it this way is...

Sun Three

Sun Three was another beautiful quiet day at the monastery. Peace abounding. Things are happening though, all around us. The new Minimela work continues vigorously. Kulapati Deva Rajan is here managing all the arrangements for the installation of Iraivan hi-tech water-proof roofing system which we will tell you more about...

Tools of Iraivan

When one looks at this beautiful temple, it is amazing to think that it was carved and assembled put together with such simple tools. Of course there is the crane and the forklift but the rest is done with nothing but hammer, chisels and simple measuring and alignment tools.

Iraivan in Evening Light

Some views from around the base of Iraivan. Here are stone padmas which will go on the hand railing later on, protected by the coconut latex packing material used for shipping stones. Unlike like the golden hues of the dawn that show up on the east side of the temple,...

Sun Two today. We posted yet another talk by Bodhinatha in our efforts to catch up. Note the link in the side bar for Bodhinatha's talk on January 5th. Today Saravananathaswami gave his news for the Ekadanta Kulam. He has been coordinating with a few Himalayan Academy students who are...

Tour Day

Tour day today... and so many people! The monks want to thank our local ladies for hosting everyone. Kulamata Isani Alahan writes: "What a beautiful day for a tour! Mt. Waialeale was in full view the entire morning. Many local guests joined us today and about a fourth were returning...

Iraivan's Roof Work Continues

There is some major work now under way on top of Iraivan. How do you make a stone roof that is basically flat water proof? Let's take a walk up and find out.... On the way up we get some close view of the intricate carving on the stone lattice...