General Visitor Information

Kauai's Hindu Monastery is home to Kadavul Temple and over 20 monks living under strict spiritual discipline and the guidance of Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami. It is a sacred place of pilgrimage for all Hindus seeking peace and divine experience.

Aloha and Namaste! We are happy that you are planning to visit our humble home on the garden island of Kauai. Please read the appropriate section below which best describes the intention of your visit.

A. Hindus visiting for devout worship and pilgrimage

B. General interest or curiosity. Click Here
to go straight to this section.

A. Hindus visiting for worship and pilgrimage

Kauai's Hindu Monastery is a sacred place of pilgrimage for all Hindus seeking peace and divine experience. Here are some basic guidelines to help you plan your visit.

When to visit?

The front monastery area, including Kadavul Hindu Temple, is open daily from 9am to noon.

A self-guided tour is available for this area. You are welcome to download the PDF map of this tour click here, (file size 575kb) or pick up the map and accompanying booklet when you arrive at our entrance. The tour will give you a basic introduction to the monastery and its areas of service.

Hindus are encouraged to attend the 9am Siva puja in Kadavul Temple. It lasts about one hour. Hindus wanting an archana performed for them in Kadavul Temple must write clearly in English, on a piece of paper, their name, nakshatra and gotra (if known). Hand this piece of paper to the monastic in the temple at 9am before the puja commences. While there is no fee for an archana, donations are welcome.

Hindus wishing to worship at the shrines beyond the front area of the monastery should email us in advance for permission. In the email please state your name and the dates you plan to visit. These additional shrines are accessible before or after our monastic retreat days.

Monastic Retreat Days

Please note that our monastery follows the traditional lunar calendar, panchangam. The table below shows dates when the monastery grounds beyond the front area are closed, including Iraivan Temple. These days are known as "monastic retreat days," or days off for the monks. Hindus should plan their visit around these monastic retreat days. Bodhinatha and the monks are not available to meet with guests on these days.

2008
May:	4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 27, 28	June:	2, 3, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26
July:	2, 3, 9, 10, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 31	Aug:	Monastic long retreat: 1-15 16, 17, 23, 24, 29, 30
Sept:	6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 28, 29	Oct:	6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 28, 29
Nov:	4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 26, 27	Dec:	Monastic long retreat: 1-14 18, 19, 26, 27

2009
Jan:	3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 25, 26	Feb:	2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24
March:	3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 Monastic long retreat: 30, 31	April:	Monastic long retreat: 1-12 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 16, 17, 24, 25
May:	1, 2, 8, 9, 10

Some Important Guidelines

1. Clothing - Hindu guests are eagerly encouraged to dress in traditional Hindu clothing when visiting. Alternatively, modest clothing is permitted. No shorts, short dresses, t-shirts or tank tops. Polo shirts are okay.
2. Video and photography of the inside of Kadavul Temple is not permitted. All other areas may be photographed.
3. We ask visitors to bring an umbrella as it rains often here.
4. Remember, it is always prudent, even in paradise, not to leave valuables in your car.

Additional Information

To assist your visit, click here for additional information on lodging, dining, directions to the monastery, etc.

For answers to frequently asked questions about Kauai's Hindu Monastery, click here.

B. General interest or curiosity

We appreciate your interest in our monastery. Here are some basic guidelines to help plan your visit.

When to visit?

Kadavul Hindu Temple

For those wishing a contemplative time, you are welcome to attend the traditional worship ceremony (called puja) at 9am or meditate in Kadavul Temple. Inside the temple, guests should ideally sit cross-legged, but never with legs strecthed out towards the Deity. No video or photography is allowed of the inside of the temple.

Note: Only those wishing to worship or meditate should enter Kadavul Temple.

Detailed Guided Tour

Approximately once a week, two one-hour tours begin at 9am and 11am sharp in the gazebo at the monastery entrance, 107 Kaholalele Road. Tours are free, however love offerings are welcomed, as donations from visitors are what allows us to continue building Iraivan Temple and beautify this sanctuary. Parking is very limited, therefore reservations are required. Please call toll free 1-888-735-1619 to find out upcoming tour dates and reserve your parking space. Reservations are not required if you arrive by taxi and the taxi does not stay.

Highlights of the walking tour include:
- introduction to the monastery and Hinduism
- the 458-acre spiritual sanctuary with its botanical gardens, waterways and ponds
- watch the stone craftsmen, silpis, from India carve and assemble the granite Iraivan Temple--a noble icon of Hinduism's beauty and greatness
- the awesome monolithic 20,000 pound, 12-foot-tall black granite statue of God Siva as Dakshinamurthi
- Kadavul Hindu Temple with its central sanctum housing an exquisite, 6-foot-tall bronze statue of God Siva as Nataraja, Lord of the Dance. The temple also houses Iraivan Temple's future 700-pound, 39-inch-tall quartz crystal Sivalingam deity.

Some Important Guidelines

Additional Information

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