1017 posts since 2008

Dandapani’s Blog

Welcome! Sharing my reflections on the spiritual path.
Join me on a profound journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.

Dec 21, 2013

Day 1 Pancha Ganapati Festival 2013

Pancha Ganapati is a modern Hindu family festival of the Five-Faced (pancha means "five") Ganesha. The festival was created by my guru many years ago and extends over a 5-day period. Each day has a particular focus and a spiritual practice for all members of the family to perform. Here's what my guru has to say about the first day. My guru, Gurudeva Sivaya Subramuniyaswami says in his book "Lov...

Dec 21, 2013
2 MINUTES READ

Day 2 Pancha Ganapati Festival 2013

We continue with our five-day celebration of Pancha Ganapati festival. The spiritual practice on this second day of the Pancha Ganapati festival is to focus on neighbors, relatives and close friends, and create a vibration of love and harmony among them. If you have offended an
Dec 19, 2013
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Culture in Color: Sari Shopping in Madurai

Saris are a traditional type of dress worn in India, among many other places. They come in a variety of colors, patterns, designs, and are often tastefully embellished. During our South Indian meditation retreat we make sure to allow a little time to delve into the beauty of th
Dec 19, 2013
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2013 Highlights: Runner-up Flight of the Year

So, yesterday in my reflections of 2013 I listed all the places that I have traveled to this year and picked the best plane flight. Plane flights are normally not that exciting but I have to say flying over the North Pole, Siberia and Mongolia was unique and very special to me.
Dec 18, 2013
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2013 Highlight: Best flight of the year

This year was full of flights around the world and I am very grateful for all the speaking opportunities, side trips, vacations and amazing people that I met along the way. There were a lot of flights to say the least and countless hours on planes. (Ps/ I plan to plant a lot of t
Dec 17, 2013
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2013 Highlights: Being at the World's Largest Festival

When a festival happens once every 12 years you don't want to miss it. The Maha Kumbh Mela festival is the world's largest festival and took place this time in Allahabad, North India. The last time this festival took place I was a monk in a monastery in Hawaii and therefore could
Dec 15, 2013
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The Goddess of Madurai and her temple

This spectacular temple is a sacred place of pilgrimage for Hindus the world over. The hallways and chambers are crowded from dawn to dusk, filled with pilgrims eager for darshan (sight) of the Goddess Meenakshi in the sanctum sanctorum. Pilgrims come to offer prayers, to have