A few days ago, powerful winds swept across Kauai, leaving behind unexpected damage at the monastery. One of the hardest-hit areas was the greenhouse, where the tarps were completely torn apart by the force of the storm. Without hesitation, the mathavāsis of Siddhidata Kulam stepped forward. With determination and teamwork, they put on their boots and got to work—rebuilding, restoring, and protecting what sustains us. Yesterday, their efforts came to completion. The greenhouse now stands secured once again—sheltering the greens that nourish both body and spirit. Aum
Recent rains have been swelling our ponds and streams
High winds have kept the clouds moving over the aadheenam at a quick pace
We are on the north fork of the Wailua River. The rain overflowed our rain gauge, so the river is bound to rise even more that this
This is the overflowing bridge to our agricultural land, along the southern river fork. The river is usually 10-15ft below this.
Easy to find water on a lotus leaf in this weather
Our pathways and roads become little waterways of their own
“Be like the river water. Water flows freely anywhere, easily finding its way around rocks and trees. Be pliable in your life, moving in rhythm with life. Let go of everything that blocks the river of life’s energy.”
The Narmada Lingam receives a constant abhishekam
This is a 8 inch seed pod of a carnivorous flower vine
The Blue Jade Vines are starting to bloom
There are very few things in nature that produce blue pigment
The walking palm doesn’t have to walk very far to reach water today
Many of our various palm species have been vigorously flowering this month
San Marga is still very walkable, as long as you bring an umbrella
Many types of plants are blooming along it
The bamboo on Muruga Hill is loving the extra rain
Muruga’s Vel gains contrast in the weather and shines with water
We have many ginger plant varieties that are flowering too
The lava rock bell along San Marga is full of green life
Between bouts of rain, the sun dries Iraivan’s stonework, only for it to receive water again a few minutes later
Aum Namah Sivaya
Join us on an adventure through our gardens as we enjoy our fresh jungle rainfall! Recently a large weather system has been passing over the island. First a cooler atmosphere with torrential rains, and then warm winds with powerful gusts. At time of writing, the winds seem to have concluded and our gentle, sunny days have returned.
“We are divine souls on a wondrous journey. We came from God, live in God and are evolving into oneness with God. We are, in truth, the Truth we seek.” Gurudeva
Sadhaka Shankaranatha is making sure they stick together.
Jai Ganesha!
The Siddhidata Kulam has been working on completing the fish tank’s cap, and it has now reached the final stage. Sadhaka Shankaranatha, one of the members of the Siddhidata Kulam involved in this project, is carefully putting the pieces together by gluing them and ensuring they hold firmly in place. After this, it will need a bit more sanding and polishing, and then it will be ready to be placed on top of the fish tank.
The mondo at Iraivan Temple does well in some areas, but suffers in others
ChatGPT portrays the volunteers at work in April
Kadavul’s thriving patch, planted in 1975
Up close.
A good shot of the issues around Iraivan
A ficus bonsai that charms visitors
This one is Ficus microcarpa with its thick, oval leaves and glossy surface
As the third photo in today’s gallery shows, the mondo grass around Kadavul Temple is lush and happy, a sea of green that waves in the wind and gives a nurturing feeling which, importantly, is virtually maintenance-free. When we planted mondo (which is actually a Japanese lily) around Iraivan Temple, this was our vision. But it has proven difficult to attain the kind of healthy maturity out there, and the team has been struggling for some three years now, and losing the battle.
Cue the cavalry! Yesterday a four-man team of agronomists visited the monastery to help. They are experts, from the staff of the global company Corteva Agriscience on the island’s west side. They spent a couple of hours assessing the conditions, then took soil samples which will go to their lab for analysis. They expect to find that our problem is a lack of specific nutrients, and they even said they would provide needed amendments when the time comes. Plus, they want to bring a team of 12 skilled volunteers to work for a day getting the mondo on its feet.
The mondo team is much encouraged by this unexpected and generous assistance. We asked ChatGPT to imagine the day of help, and slide two is the result.
We end the show today with the two new bonsai trees Tandu Sivanathan placed in the Kadavul pool. Amazing!
“When we look at the beautiful creations of nature, we see how lovely the mind can be. ” – Gurudeva
“All Hindus feel they are guests on the planet with responsibilities to nature”
“which when fulfilled balance its responsibilities to them”
“The physical body was gathered from nature and returns to it”
“Nature is exquisitely complex and orderly”
“The coconut always yields a coconut tree, a lotus a lotus, a rose a rose, not another species.”
“How constant nature is, and yet how diverse, for in mass producing its creations, no two ever look exactly alike.”
“Yes, the Hindu knows himself to be a part of nature and seeks to bring his life into harmony with the universal path, the sustaining cosmic force.” – Gurudeva
Jai Ganesha!
In an oft overlooked sentence among his many teachings, Gurudeva describes nature as “the first temple.” Indeed the Aadheenam’s natural surrounding jungle lands are a testament to this idea. Even when outside of the monastery temples, you can’t help but feel that your still within one. On their walk through nature our monks regularly photograph the beauty they find.
Our latest Hinduism Today issue April/May/June 2026 issue is out now . In this issue it’s diverse with different kind of story about Hinduism around the world. Buy the magazine and enjoy the article.
