"The whole world is an ashram in which all are doing sadhana. We must love the world, which is God's creation. Those who despise, hate and fear the world do not understand the intrinsic goodness of all."

Gurudeva

Gurudeva Darshan of the Day

What Happened Today at the Monastery?

It is the last day of an amazing and dynamic six-day phase. Chitra Puja, Ganesha Chaturthi, Snake Course of Iraivan complete, scaffolding removed to reveal our temple in all of its beauty (more on this next phase). Lots of wonderful pilgrims visiting each day, and more...

Below is a YouTube video from Ganesha Chaturthi at the monastery.

~~~~~~~~~~~
END OF PHASE
Today is the last day of our phase.
This edition of TAKA will remain posted
over our coming two-day retreat,
until Dasami Tithi, Sun One, Monday, September 8th.

 

Guests attending the morning puja in Kadavul Siva temple yesterday included Senan and Shanuka Chanmugam with their young son Aneesh who were returning home to Sydney, Australia (via Kauai) after visiting relatives in Canada. Next to them are newlyweds Mr. and Mrs. Arun Subramanian from Santa Clara, CA who felt their marriage was especially blessed after attending the powerful morning puja.

Forefront is Mr. and Mrs. Siva from Toronto Canada who pilgrimage to this temple every two years; and on the far right is Vishal and Neha Kuthiala from Ontario, Canada whose friends urged them to come.

Mr. and Mrs. Siva feel this is their spiritual home . . .

. . . and plan to continue their pilgrimage here long into the future.

Little Aneesh smilingly poses with his parents on the North side of the Iraivan Temple.

Radiating beauty in the morning sunlight is this amazing thousand petalled lotus flower.

The meditative natural beauty and peaceful sanctity here is soothing to the soul, inviting one to sit by the lotus pond and stay 'just a little while longer.'

Abishekam was performed . . .

. . . by all of our guests . . .

. . . including two year old Aneesh with the loving assistance of his father.

Newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Subramanian, pause beside the Kadavul Temple pool.

In the sweet Tamil tradition - two Tamil families from Texas, who visited the Iraivan Temple two days ago, surprised Chidambaram Stapathi and the silpis today by bringing and serving them a delicious home-cooked meal of sweet rice, lemon rice, sambar and dahl as a special treat! First time that ever happened.

Pramala Spencer Sundaramurthy with John Hilliard. Pramala is originally from Tamil Nadu. Her family lineage is one of Acharis and Stapathis. She originally moved to the UK where she met John. They then subsequently moved to Kauai where they now happily reside in Koloa town.

Unmesh Wankhede and his wife Prabha from Seattle, WA. This is their second visit to the Aadheenam having initially pilgrimaged here in 2000.

Raj Khanchanani with his wife from Eagan, MN. came to visit on the recommendation of his son-in-law.

Every year on Ganesha Chaturthi the Spiritual Park of Mauritius becomes the center of pilgrimage for the worship of Lord Ganesha.

The ceremony started very early in the morning with a special puja to Lord Ganapati.

Lord Pancha Mukha Ganapati decked with flowers and garlands lovingly offered by devotees coming from all over the island.

A very spiritual festive atmosphere prevails around the Mandapam...

Outside a large crowd under the tent...

The Ganesha Homa into which are burnt thousands of written prayers from devotees...

Ladies singing devotional songs to Lord Ganapati.

The ceremony was officiated by Sivacharya Arunachelum from the Goodlands Siva Temple. He did a wonderfully elaborate puja and homa.

Devotees by the thousands surround the Mandapam. Gurudeva would smile to see such a site at his Spiritual Park.

The incessant flow down the Ganesha Bridge all day.

Singers leading the bajans in between the puja.

The last offerings into the homa....

Kulapati Manon read a message from Satguru Bodhinatha followed by a talk from "Dancing With Siva" on Lord Ganesha.

All devotees stood up for the final arati....

Traditional musicians were hired for this special day.

A deeply high spiritual vibration was felt during the final arati ...

A larger crew helped at the Himalayan Academy Sales Booth outside.

The newly designed HA banner....

Time for Visarjana...the immersion ceremony of the clay Ganesha murthis into the sea...

Watch for Mauritius Ganesha Chaturthi next series coming on TAKA...

and click on this thumbnail for a small Piclens show of events by the ocean.

Images from Saiva Siddhanta Church, Mauritius, Ganesha Chaturthi