Kauai Aadheenam

Our morning light never ceases to be stunning

Iraivan glistens through the brush

Lord Muruga shines in His own way

One of the many scenes found in our Chola Gardens

A place not oft seen. Winding stream waters make their way below papayas, bananas and breadfruit trees

Palms as far as the eye can see

Look close and you might find interesting things. This is an egg-casing from a praying mantis.

Happy Kavi cat, reminds us to keep it simple

At night we roll past our galactic center

A baby bullfrog floats on his raft

“That is the goal of life, to know Siva, to love Siva and to find union in Him, to dance with Siva, live with Siva and merge with Siva.” – Gurudeva

Aum Namah Sivaya

This week brought a few quiet moments to step outside and enjoy the land. The gardens and surrounding jungles offered small scenes of beauty. Soft light on new leaves, the play of shadows along the paths, and the stillness that gathers between passing showers. We captured a handful of simple photos to share, reflections of the peaceful rhythm that moves through the Aadheenam each day.

“This inner light is so beautiful. All day long my head has been filled with light. It feels that if I were to reach up and put both hands around the top of my head, there wouldn’t be a head there.” – Sivaya Subramuniyaswami

A warm welcome at the temple’s Ganesha shrine

A Gopuja proeceeded Satguru’s arrival

A very friendly face to greet Satguru and Swami

First stop is the Ganesha shrine

A beautiful black-granite Ganesha!

Aum Gam Ganapataye Namah

Satguru gives an upadesha

Followed by vibhuti blessings for those present

Also on the trip, Satguru and Swami have a satsang with our California members and students

Aum Namah Sivaya

Jai Ganesha!

Last week, Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami and Sannyasin Yoginathaswami took a short trip to San Ramon, in the Bay Area of California. They were there to attend the Maha Kumbhabhishekam of the Sri Karpaga Ganapathi Temple. The event was conducted on November 10th, 2025, and was preceded by four days of preliminary pujas and prayers. Satguru was the chief guest of honor. The temple was founded by Sivasri Suresh Viswanathan Sivacharyar, whom we have known for many years. Sivacharyar has strong local community support and was very happy to have been able to start this temple. The Ganesha murti was gifted by Bodhinatha, following Gurudeva’s long-standing tradition to give a Ganesha whenever a community starts a temple.

The powerful puja was done successfully and was accompanied by a 3.8 earthquake. The chief priest was Sivasri Swaminatha Sivacharyar from Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, and he was assisted by Sivasri Karthikeya Sivacharyar and Sivasri Balu Gurukkal. Aum.

This video includes a San Ramon local TV interview of Satguru (interview starts at 2m 15s)

A moonbow lights the sky above Iraivan Temple during our recent full moon

We’ve been getting lots of rain these last few days. Here, the setting sun shines through the millions of droplets

A good time for this swan neck agave to conclude its life with its one and only flower bloom

The rain also spurs forth the mushroom. These ones are blooming with a massive cluster

It gets to full size and only lasts a few days

Passion Fruit flowers are some of our favorite. Amazingly complex structures and an indescribable aroma

A scary sight for some! This mother centipede is about 7-8 inches and is coiled around her recently hatched keiki

This species of mushroom can be found all over. Easy to spot in the dark of night.

Our fresh mulch always has a few larger ones

Nimu doesn’t like the thunderous rain very much. He has to sing much louder whenever it pours

Some of our local ringneck parakeets enjoy the fruiting palms

“Everything should be an offering to God. The world is an altar.” – Yogaswami

Aum Namah Shivaya

Today marks the 4th day of our Monastics’ short lunar phase. Meaning the next two days will be our retreat days (like a weekend). As a gentle end to our week of seva, we offer you these photos from around the Aadheenam—appreciating the natural world we enjoy here. From the moon in the night sky above Iraivan Temple, to the plants and mushrooms erupting from the earth beneath us. It’s all a sacred sight to behold. Aum.

Mayilnathaswami performs the blessing to our new vehicles

Jai Ganesha!

As some may know, care for the Aadheenam’s vast acreage is greatly assisted by our small fleet of mostly electric utility vehicles. These little machines are used for everything from gardening and hauling tools to showing around special guests and providing simple, quick transport from A to B. These vehicles are in constant use, and at times we don’t have enough available for all the countless projects taking place. Thankfully, we recently acquired two new additions. The smaller blue one is in great condition and was offered to the monastery at a very low price, while the larger one was a gift. It had stopped working, and its owner said we could have it. Our monks quickly fixed a tiny problem and had it running again like new.

Before any vehicle or large piece of equipment enters service, our monks perform a traditional blessing for it. Last week, the monks of the Siddhidatta Kulam gathered at the large Ganesha outside their office and blessed the vehicles for a long, safe, and productive life of service.

Aum Namah Shivaya

Jai Gurudeva!

Join us at 3:30pm (Kauai time) for the final event of Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami’s annual founders puja (mahasamadhi puja).

Lord Panchamukha Ganapati, known by nearly all Mauritians as simply “The Big Ganesha”

Arrival at the Spiritual Park on the morning of the homa

Parading to the main mandapam

Vel lights the camphor arati

The homa is then lit

Kulapatis tend the flame while Swami burns the prayers

Next, a silent meditation with all present

Paramacharya gives an upadesha

Rajen translates to creol

An award from the Mauritian Department of Health

Final offerings

Pancha Arati. Jai!

Some wonderful bhajans to end the event

Our deep gratitude to everyone in Mauritius for the increadible stay! Aum.

Jai Ganesha!

On October 5th, the final day of Paramacharya Sadasivanathaswami’s and Sannyasin TIllainathaswami’s journey in Mauritius, the two had a wonderful time attending the monthly Ganesha Homa at the Spiritual Park. The day happened to coincide with a massive event at Ganga Talao, the island’s sacred hilltop lake, so only the staunchest Ganesha bhaktars were in attendance. This reduced the morning’s usual crowd of several thousand. When our swamis arrived they were greeted and garlanded at the entrance to the park, then paraded to the feet of Lord Panchamukha Ganapati. An arati was performed by Vel Mahalingam, the homa was kindled, and thousands of paper prayers were added to the flames. Following the homa was a silent meditation and then a talk by Paramacharya about the joys of Hinduism. An award was also presented to the Spiritual Park by the country’s Minister of Health, for the massive success of the blood donations that take place just outside the park during most monthly Ganesha homa days. Next was a final arati, followed by bhajans, and a loving farewell to our traveling monastics. Aum.