Festivals

    • video

      July 2015 News Video

      Our July 2015 News Video covers events in June 2015, including: Satguru Bodhinatha's recent travels to Singapore and Malaysia for the Kumbamela festival, the placement of the 8 Satguru lineages' ...

    • video

      Forgiveness on Pancha Ganapati

      An Upadesha given in Kadavul Temple. Bodhinatha discusses the 2nd day of Pancha Ganapati, explains how we can use that time for the purpose of forgiveness and outlines the importance ...

    • video

      2011 Monastery Year in Review

      Important activities and events at Kauai's Hindu Monastery over the past year (August 2010 - September 2011) including festivals, Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami's travels across the globe, construction progress on Iraivan ...

    • video

      Bodhinatha's Upadesha on Mahasivaratri 2010

      Is Mahashivaratri the marriage of Siva and Shakti? In one of his deepest talks, Bodhinatha gives a crystal clear explanation of a highly mystical topic. ...

    • video

      Skanda Shashthi 2009

      Skanda Shashthi festival at Kauai's Hindu Monastery held early in the morning on October 23, 2009. Veil is paraded around fire, coches are blown, chanting and more. ...

    • video

      Houston Janmashtami Aarthi

      Aarthi at the 20th Grand Annual Krishna Janmashtami Celebrations organized by the Hindus of Greater Houston at the George R Brown Convention Center ...

    • video

      Thaipusam Malaysia 2007 Part 3

      Part 3 of 3: Documentary of the celebrations of Thai Pusam, a sacred festival to Lord Murugan, drawing over one million people to Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, January, ...

    • video

      Thaipusam Malaysia 2007 Part 1

      Part 1 of 3: Documentary of the celebrations of Thai Pusam during the month of Thai (January), a sacred festival to Lord Murugan, drawing over one million people to Batu ...

    • video

      January 2013 News Video

      Our January 2013 news video covers events in December 2012, including: BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir inauguration in Chino Hills, CA; Ardra Darshanam and Pancha Ganapati festivals at the monastery; launch of ...

    • video

      Dance Performance on Ganesha Chaturthi

      Kauai Aadheenam's 2013 celebration of Ganesha Chaturthi was supplemented by a guest dance performance. The dancer was trained in Odissi dance and was clearly very advanced. This short video was ...

    • video

      October 2013 News Video

      Our October 2013 news video covers events in August and September 2013 including: Satguru Bodhinatha's and Shanmuganathaswami's recent travels, including initiations, vows and the Aloha dinner in Mauritius, Bangaluru temple ...

    • video

      2013 Gurudeva Mahasamadhi Observances

      Every year on the Chitra nakshatra in October-November, our Gurudeva, Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, the founder of Kauai's Hindu Monastery, is honored and remembered with special ceremony. The monks worked hard to ...

    • video

      December 2013 News Video

      Our December 2013 news video covers events in November 2013 including: Skanda Shashthi festival puja, an invitation to our 2014 Mauritius Innersearch Travel-Study Program, Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami's Publisher's Desk editorial ...

    • video

      February 2014 News Video

      Our February 2014 news video covers events in January 2014, including: The monastery's Tai Pusam celebration, Brahmachari Girish taking his vows as a supplicant, progress on the Media Studio renovation ...

    • video

      February 2015 News Video

      Our February 2015 News Video covers events in January 2015, including: Satguru Bodhinatha's trip to Sri Lanka, filming of the Ellora Caves for The History of Hindu India movie series, ...

    • video

      April 2015 News Video

      Our April 2015 News Video covers events in March 2015, including: Paramaguru Yogaswami's mahasamadhi celebration, our recent progress on the Path of the Saiva Saints as we get ready to ...

    • video

      August 2015 News Video

      Our August 2015 News Video covers events in July 2015, including: the arrival of Rajendra, our new CAT excavator; the arrival of another silpi memorial bronze piece showing two silpis ...

    • video

      September 2015 News Video

      Our September 2015 News Video covers events in August 2015, including: intense focus on Iraivan perimeter wall work going on in India; the monastery's newest tool is acquired: the Genie ...

    • video

      January 2016 News Video

      The January 2016 news video from Kauai's Hindu Monastery features our progress on Iraivan Temple's landscaping and the Silpi memorial bronzes, as well as our celebrations of Ardra Darshana and ...

    • video

      April 2016 Monthly News Video

      Our April 2016 video covers March news from Kauai Aadheenam. The monks celebrated Gurudeva's Siva Vision Day; hosted several taskforcers who spent several weeks with us, helping out in the ...

    • video

      May 2016 Monthly News Video

      Our May 2016 news video covers events in April 2016, including the birth of the monastery's new calf named Teta; the progress on the bronze statues of Iraivan Temple stone ...

    • slideshow

      Lord Ganeshas 2016 Birthday Party

      The April/May/June 2017 Edition of Hinduism Today ran a short feature story on the annual Ganesha Visarjana held in India with a fabulous series of photos by Arun K Mishra. ...

    • video

      Skanda Shashti 2011 Abhishekam

      Abhishegam of Lord Murugan during Skanda Shasti celebration at Kadavul temple in 2011 ...

    • video

      August 2017 Monthly News Video

      Kauai's Hindu Monastery brings you news from July, 2017, including: Our annual celebration of Satguru Purnima. In addition to Kauai island residents, devotees flew in from Turkey, Malaysia, California, Canada ...

    • video

      Vaikasi Vishakam, 2011 - Vel Muruga

      Vaikasi Vishakam, 2011 at Kadavul temple. ...

    • video

      Bodhinatha's 2003 Mahasivaratri Talk Part 2

      An inspired talk by Bodhinatha on the night of Siva. Bodhinatha explains how to live Saiva Siddhanta: cultivation of devotion and practising profound meditation. Bodhinatha reminds us of the four ...

    • video

      Bodhinatha's 2003 Mahasivaratri Talk Part 1

      Part 1 of an inspired talk about God Siva, worship of Siva, how ceremonies in the temple and the devotion of those present open a hole to the inner world ...

    • video

      Arupadaiveedu Slideshow

      Enjoy 36 additional photos of the features, pilgrims and surroundings at the Arupadaiveedu temples sacred to Lord Murugan in Tamil Nadu, taken by M. Amirtham/Dinodia. Original article about the Arupadaiveedu, ...

    • video

      Thaipusam Malaysia 2007 Part 2

      Part 2 of 3: Documentary of the celebrations of Thai Pusam, a sacred festival to Lord Murugan, drawing over one million people to Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, January, ...

    • video

      Gurudeva Mahasamadhi, 2012

      Clip of Gurudeva's Mahasamadhi observances held in October 2012 featuring Sri Rudram intonations by the monks, abhishegam of Gurudeva's Thiruvadi with holy water from the Kumbam and final arati. ...

    • video

      December 2012 News Video

      Our December 2012 news video covers events in November 2012, including: the 11th annual observances of Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami's mahasamadhi, our Skanda Shashthi festival and Iraivan Temple construction progress. ...

    • video

      Bodhinatha's June 2013 Mid-West Trip Part 2

      Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami was invited to Minneapolis for a first visit to the Hindu Temple of Minnesota. For the occasion, the temple created a special event on June 14th and ...

    • video

      Bodhinatha's June 2013 Mid-West Trip Part 3

      Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami was invited to Minneapolis for a first visit to the Hindu Temple of Minnesota. For the occasion, the temple created a special event on June 14th and ...

    • video

      Bodhinatha's June 2013 Mid-West Trip Part 5

      After Minnesota, Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami traveled to Ontario, Canada, to visit the Hindu Temple of Windsor and the home of one of his formal sishyas. Windsor is just across the ...

    • video

      December 2015 News Video

      The December 2015 news video from Kauai's Hindu Monastery features our Mahasamadhi celebrations for Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, class from Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, Skanda Shashti abhishekam in Kadavul Temple, Kritikka Dipam ...

    • video

      February 2016 News Video

      The February 2016 news video from Kauai's Hindu Monastery features Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami's travel to Australia, Iraivan Temple landscaping and the monastics full moon celebration of Thai Pusam. ...

    • video

      August 2016 Monthly News Video

      Our August 2016 news video covers events in July 2016, including our recent shipment of stones for Iraivan Temple, an update to the progress in California's History-Social Science framework, the ...

    • video

      October 2016 News Video

      Our 2016 October News Video covers events in September 2016 including travels by two of our monks to the Mainland US and Canada, the return of Satguru from his recent ...

    • video

      Gurudeva's Mahasamadhi Observance 2016

      The monks and devotees of Kauai's Hindu Monastery have completed this years mahasamadhi observance for Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami who left his body in September of 2001. A long-time church member ...

    • video

      November 2016 News Video

      Our November 2016 news video covers events from October, 2016, including five brother monks from the BAPS Swaminarayan fellowship visiting the monastery; our satguru's 74th jayanthi celebrations and satguru Sivaya ...

    • video

      December 2016 News Video

      Our December 2016 news video covers events from November, 2016, including a visit from Sri Sri Jayendrapuri Mahaswamiji; our yearly Skanda Shasthi celebrations, along with a concurring vow taken by ...

    • video

      January 2017 News Video

      This month's news video covers events from December, 2016, including: the monastery's Pancha Ganapati celebrations, along our many holidy vistors; Iraivan Temple's silver naga is getting closer to arrive on ...

    • video

      February 2017 News Video

      Kauai's Hindu Monastery brings you news from January, 2017, including: the monastery's Ardra Darshana celebrations. This grand yearly festival goes beyond our monthly Nataraja abhishekam to include several hundred more ...

    • video

      March 2017 Monastery News Video

      Kauai's Hindu Monastery brings you news from February, 2017, including: Two monks don the yellow robes of tapas and take their next step in monastic life-that of the Yogi Tapasvin; ...

    • video

      May 2017 Monastery News Video

      May news video reporting on events in April, 2017, including: Bronze statue foundation pour; the ground breaking of the noni building; Sri Chinmoy's devotees visit; the seasonal ritau change from ...

    • video

      June 2017 Monthly News Video

      Kauai's Hindu Monastery brings you news from May, 2017, including: The monastery's new greenhouse; a new painting of Kadavul Nataraja by artist Peiter Weltevrede; Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami's London travel mission. ...

    • video

      July 2017 Monthly News Video

      Kauai's Hindu Monastery brings you news from June, 2017, including: Vaikasi Visakam On June 7th the aadheenam's swamis, yogis and sadhaka celebrated Vaikasi Visakam with an abhishekam to Lord Murugan ...

    • video

      November 2017 News Video

      Our November 2017 News video covers recent events in October 2017 including: our annual Gurudeva Mahasamadhi celebrations, Satguru Jayanti, Skanda Shasti and our upcoming Innersearch Travel study program to Sri ...

    • audio

      Cultivating Bhakti, or Devotion

      The beginning of Bhakti is our understanding of the temple and Deities and the three worlds. The goal is to become good friends with the Gods. You open up to ...

    • text

      Pancha Ganapati in Tamil

      The Pancha Ganapati PDF in the Tamil language ...

    • text

      Home Festivals

      Hinduism is a celebratory religion, and nowhere can this be seen more clearly than in the yearly cycle of home festivals. In 1998, renowned Chennai artist S. Rajam sought to ...

    • text

      Holy Hindu Festivals

      Insights into the annual celebrations celebrated by Hindus the world over. ...

    • text

      Pancha Ganapati

      Daddy, why don't we have Christmas? What do we do? Don't we get presents, too? That question was heard in so many Hindu homes some 15 years ago that it ...

    • text

      What Is Hinduism?

      Since 1979 the international magazine HINDUISM TODAY has been producing a treasury of educational features on all aspects of Sanatana Dharma. Guided by the founder, Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, the magazine's ...

    • audio

      Mahasivaratri Talk 2005

      During Mahasivaratri 2005, Bodhinatha illustrates Realization of the Self, Parasiva, by relating a Yogaswami meditation story and Mahavakyam from both Gurudeva and Yogaswami. Bodhinatha then defines attainment, unfoldment and maturation ...

    • audio

      Bringing a Gift for the Temple

      Continuing with highlights from his talk on God Siva, Bodhinatha talks about Gurudeva's admonition that devotees should never come to the temple empty-handed, even if the only offering they have ...

    • audio

      The Future of Our Monastery (November 2011)

      Bodhinatha gives a general overview of his travels and the progress of the mission of Kauai Aadheenam in publicaitons and in our missions overseas ...

    • audio

      Mahasivaratri

      The essence of Mahasivaratri is to have a deeper experience of God than is normally available to us. Yogaswami's mahavakyam: "Tannai ari" - know thyself. Take learning a step further into ...

    • audio

      The Meaning of Sivaratri and Nirvikalpa Samadhi

      Mahasivaratri: A time of striving to realize Parasiva. In our teachings yoga is the restraint of mental activity (chitta vritti). Nivritti marga-the path of renunciation. Pravritti marga-the path of action ...

    • audio

      Malaysia-Singapore Visit Report Part 4

      Bodhinatha continues his report on his visit to Malaysia and Singapore (part 4). Bodhinatha enjoyed satsang in Klang, which experienced an overflow of devotees. Iraivan Day was a grand success, ...

    • audio

      Mahasivaratri, 2003, Part 1, Meditation

      Mahasivaratri, Part 1 of 3Meditation and Mahasivaratri. Bodhinatha remarks how special Gurudeva's talk was which we played tonight, then goes on to give a wonderful upadesha about how the inner ...

    • audio

      Resolving Difficulties with Others

      Gurudeva sanctioned the prayaschitta of walking prostrations for pilgrims and members who come to Kauai Aadheenam. The Jivana Ritau is a study of Living with Siva, and of the sutras ...

    • audio

      Maha Sivaratri

      The celebration of Maha Sivaratri is to have a deeper experience of God. Siva's unmanifest Being and manifest energy. Withdraw energy back to its Source, unite Siva and Sakti, realize ...

    • audio

      Nine Ways to Merge with Siva; the Nature of Liberation

      The celebration of Mahasivaratri is to have a deeper experience of God. Realization, liberation and merger. Nine progressive ways to merge with Siva. Parasiva, the eighth: becoming and being timeless, ...

    • video

      August 2018 News Video

      August 2018 Video on Activities in July 2018, including: Iraivan Carving Work continues in Iraivan Temples Nandi Mandapam, with ever higher levels being fit into place. At the same time ...

    • audio

      ayudha puja, Work is worship

      ayudha Puja day. Blessing day for the tools of our work. Whenever our actions are in accordance with dharma it is worship. Motivation is the key: Am I doing this ...

    • audio

      Many Questions Answered

      Today is Skanda Shashthi and Gurudeva discusses how this is being celebrated all over the world. The Hawaiian God Ku is related to Lord Muruga. This is a wonderful day ...

    • audio

      Using retreat days for Reflection

      This is the original retreat talk, which is re-iterated on November 18th, where the transcript was done. This is actually the first presentation. but it doesn't matter.... ...

    • audio

      Holiday, Karmic Peaks

      Gurudeva tells us karma peaks and inspiration is high during the Holiday Season explaining why we need to be careful. He compares celebrations throughout the world during this season. ...

    • audio

      Sivalaya Deepam

      Gurudeva discusses steps of conversion to Hinduism for those who were previously members of another religion. Gurudeva tells us we can create a wonderful future for ourselves and insure a ...

    • audio

      Celebrating Pancha Ganapati

      Gurudeva tells about Pancha Ganapati, even Hindu's today are celebrating Christmas. Gurudeva explains how and why we may reverse this trend. Gurudeva also tells us about daily talks between him ...

    • audio

      Celebration of Pancha Ganapati

      Gurudeva describes Pancha Ganapati, the five day festival, explaining how Hindus experience each day by bringing forth harmony and joy and happiness in all three worlds. Gurudeva then tells how ...

    • audio

      First Day of Pancha Ganapati

      Gurudeva talks about control of the mind, how can we control thoughts, the 5 parts of the mind, finding a teacher, and starting at the beginning. Gurudeva tells us that ...

    • audio

      The Second Day of Pancha Ganapati

      A question about ahimsa is answered by Gurudeva who tells us we can go about harming others with thought, even long distance. Thought is the first thing that you do ...

    • audio

      The Third Day of Pancha Ganapati

      Gratitude comes from the soul Gurudeva explains, as he talks to us today about gratitude and appreciation. Gurudeva then gives us a sadhana for the holiday season. Gurudeva also tells ...

    • audio

      The Fourth Day of Pancha Ganapati

      Gurudeva answers a question concerning harmony with the Guru. Gurudeva tells us that harmony with the Guru is harmony with our own soul. The Guru is like a barometer. Our ...

    • video

      January 2019 News Video

      Our January 2019 news video covers events in December 2018, including: recent progress on Iraivan Temple; our change of seasons; and the aadheenam's celebration of Ardra Darshanam. ...

    • audio

      How Do We Celebrate Festivals?

      Festivals are times of intimate devotion and communion with God and the Gods. The shakti of the Deity is stronger during festivals. Take advantage of the best time to get ...

    • audio

      Mahasivaratri

      Today Gurudeva talks about the difference between karma and fate. He explains how bad karma can be mitigated. He explains the principal of sadhana, doing the same practice every day ...

    • audio

      The Nature of Mahasivaratri

      Mahasivaratri is right before the new moon signifying we're beseeching the blessings of God Siva to benefit our inner spiritual identity. The core of the soul is one with God; ...

    • video

      How Do We Observe Pilgrimage?

      Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami reads from Lesson 65 of the Himalayan Academy publication Path To Siva, discussing Hindu Pilgrimage ...

    • video

      2019 Thai Pusam Abhishekam

      Kauai Aadheenam's 2019 Thai Pusam abhishekam held in Kadavul Temple. ...

    • video

      How Do We Celebrate Festivals?

      Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami reads from Lesson 64 of the Himalayan Academy publication Path To Siva, discussing Hindu festivals. ...

    • video

      March 2019 News Video

      Our March 2019 news video covers events in February and early March 2019, including: Recent progress on Iraivan Temple's perimeter wall, our celebration of Mahasivaratri, and the vows of our ...

    • audio

      Sivaratri 2000 Part 1

      Today we begin posting segments of Gurudeva's inspiring talk from the great holy night of Siva, Mahasivaratri, celebrated by the mathavasi last phase. Gurudeva begins by saying that there are ...

    • audio

      Sivaratri 2000 Part 2

      On Siva's great night Gurudeva explained to devotees that Siva is the God of Love and exactly what this love is. Gurudeva also discussed how Saiva Siddhanta is an experiential ...

    • audio

      Sivaratri 2000 Part 3

      Gurudeva's Sivaratri upadesha explores spiritual solutions to the problems of humanity. Gurudeva stresses that Lord Siva's philosophy teaches that problems are meant to be solved, they are not meant to ...

    • audio

      Sivaratri 2000 Part 4

      Gurudeva makes the distinction clear between those who complain about rules, and those who follow them happily. He also outlines the practices and principles of the Saivite Hindu family, and ...

    • audio

      Sivaratri 2000 Part 5 - Conclusion

      Gurudeva concludes his Sivaratri upadesha by expounding upon the "only real security," the depth of Siva consciousness, never changing, always there. And Gurudeva gives an amusing analogy of devotees on the path ...

    • audio

      Drugs as a spiritual stimulant. Kumbha Mela. Spiritual unfoldment and college.

      A cyber cadet wonders if it is ok to take certain kinds of drugs to help with one's spiritual journey. A cyber cadet asks if going to a prestigious college ...

    • video

      June 2019 News Video

      Our June 2019 news video covers events in May 2019, including: Recent progress on Iraivan Temple, a visit from BAPS sadhus, the revealing of Iraivan Temple's doors, the celebration of ...

    • audio

      Ayudhya Puja Day at Iraivan Worksite, Bangalore

      Today Gurudeva gives a special message to all the dedicated silpis, traditional stone carvers, who have been carving the Iraivan Hindu temple in Bangalore for the last 10 years. Today ...

    • audio

      Talk by Swami Bua

      During this year's Guru Purnima celebrations Gurudeva invited Swami Bua to talk for the internet. Swami Bua was a guest of honor for the festival. Here, Swamiji actually defers to ...

    • audio

      Kundalini Experiences; Attraction to Girls

      A cyberspace devotee from Trinidad had some kundalini experiences and now wants to know what to do with it. In order to find the control so that it does not ...

    • audio

      We Are Not Sinners

      The idea of redemption is not really the case in Hinduism. Being already exists deep in the soul. Part of us is becoming, getting more refined, more spiritual. Get into ...

    • video

      August 2019 News Video

      Our August 2019 News Video covers events in July 2019, including the birth of our newest Jersey Calf, Mina; the progress on Iraivan Temple's Kodimaram; and the Aadheenam's recent celebration ...

    • text

      Pancha Ganapati

      Think of Pancha Ganapati as the Hindu Christmas, a modern winter holiday full of family-centered happenings, but with five days of gifts for the kids, not just one. From December ...