August - 2007

Rishi Thondunathan visited Jaffna, Sri Lanka in August - 2007.

Rishi Thondunathan's Jaffna Trip Update:

I traveled to Jaffna on August 11th, I was saddened by what I experienced. There are checkpoints that hinder travel all over the place, and people live in fear with the sound of heavy artillery bomb every night. There are also food shortages in Jaffna. Casualties are coming in everyday and traveling around is risky. 

During my nine-day stay in Jaffna, I lived in the Sivaboomi Seniors home and the Subramuniya kottam, visited many temples, ashrams and homes for the disabled, and orphanages doing whatever were within my capability to uplift their spirits and offer hope through prayer. The people of Jaffna rely heavily on spirituality and prayer as their refuge during these trying times. 

During my stay in Jaffna, I also visited Dr. Thangamma Appakkutti and presented to her an award conferred to her by Hinduism Today and Kauai Aadheenam. The Hindu Renaissance Award plaque recognizes Dr. Thangamma's outstanding religious leadership and service to the Sri Lankan Saivites. Let us pray for lasting peace in our Motherland.

Photo-1-2:   Medical Camp
Photo-3-7:   Sakthi Illam 
Photo-8-10: Siva Poomi
Photo-11:     Dr. Thangamma Appakkutti

Event:   Saivite Tamil Foundation hosts Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami               

Where:  Chicago, Illinois

When:  August 13, 2007

On Monday, August 13, 2007 the Saivite Tamil Foundation hosted Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, successor to Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, and 163rd preceptor of the Nandinatha Sampradaya’s Kailasa Parampara. Satguru Bodhinatha is the spiritual leader of Kauai Aadheenam and publisher of Hinduism Today.

Satsang was held at the home of Dr. & Mrs. Jeyendran and attended by members of the Chicago area Sri Lankan community. Satguru Bodhinatha heartily endorsed the formation of the Saivite Tamil Foundation and offered the assistance of Kauai Aadheenam with the mission of the Foundation.

Photo-1: Patha Puja is being performed to Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami.
Photo-2: Theepa Aarathi is being performed. 
Photo-3: Satguru Bodhinatha is blessing 1 month old Sumita Luxmi Sivakadadsan.
Photo-4: Satguru Bodhinatha, Shanmuganathaswami & Dr. R.S. Jeyendran.
Photo-5: Satguru Bodhinatha gives a talk and answer questions.
Photo-6: Satguru Bodhinatha with the children.
Photo-7: Satguru Bodhinatha is blessing Kirthika Jeyendran and other devotees.