This is first in a series of articles describing how KYI Capital Campaign contributions are being used to restore Muktidham.
It’s true that Muktidham has suffered years of deferred maintenance, but now in 2023, it’s getting some Tender Loving Care. Some of our Capital Campaign donors have authorized their contributions to be used for immediate repairs. Also, the insurance company agreed to pay for damage sustained by Hurricane Ida.
Rich Fain, a former Sumneytown Ashram resident, has agreed to oversee the building repairs as his seva. He may not be doing the work, but he is making sure that the work is done correctly.
Upper floor with drywall removed (water penetration)
We know that in order to fix a problem, the problem’s root cause must be found. In this case it entails ripping out most of the drywall of two rooms (lower floor darshan room and upper floor meditation room) which are on the East side of Muktidham. Drywall removal on the second floor indicated a roof leak.
It takes courage (and a couple of ladders) to reach the roof over the meditation room. Once there, it was clear that a branch had hit with great force and punched a hole in the roof.
By the way, a diseased tree adjacent to the building was taken down in 2021.
Roof with fallen branches
Hole in roof
The exterior siding on the first floor showed evidence of decay.
Siding outside darshan room
Removal of the drywall inside showed that this area needs extensive repairs.
Inside wall of darshan room
Once the “holes” were repaired in the roof and siding, and the areas dried, mold remediation took place. The floor and other affected areas were encapsulated by special paint.
Next up, window and sliding door replacements (and that wall repair). Great things are happening to Muktidham!
Upstairs following encapsulation
Downstairs following encapsulation, but without siding repairs
This is Part 2 of my 5 part travelogue on my 2018 trip to India.
After exploring the important Bapuji landmarks in Mumbai (Bombay) we hired a driver to take us to and around Kayavarohan. On the way we visited some interesting places and met some wonderful people such as Tharun whose family took care of Bapuji for six weeks when he returned to India. Even though he was quite sick, he did his sadhana each day and held darshan for his disciples.
Tharun’s family
Bapuji loved Tharun’s family and had stayed with them for a year previous to his trip to America. On our way we stopped in Surat and visited a magnificent modern temple designed by Varsha Shah, an architect who knew and loved Bapuji. It was the most beautiful and most colorful temple I have ever seen. We met Varsha in Baroda (now Vadodara) and she hosted us for an afternoon discussing the intricacies of Vastu Shastra (the scripture that defines the intricate parameters in ancient and modern temple design). She said Bapuji knew little about temple design when he built Kayavarohan, but would take direction from Dadaji in meditation and relay the information to the architect each day, and that the resulting temple was perfect in every way according to Vastu Shastra principles. Astounding! It is a remarkable place, it is true. More on the Kayavarohan temple in the next travelogue.
Varsha’s Temple (outside)
Varsha’s temple (inside)
There is a temple on every block in India, or so it seems. Some are huge, some are tiny, all are imbued with many years of devotion. Some are gilt in gold and marble, some have dirt floors and very simple deities. One temple we visited on the bluffs overlooking the Narmada River was a very simple room with a small dome on the top, and inside was what seemed like a pile of dirt with a tapestry draped over it and two sea shell eyes. It was dark and dank yet it felt most sacred and ancient. That place is etched in my memory forever.
Ancient temple
Narmada River
We stayed in Thakor”s home in Nasari, a tiny village where he and his family have lived for many generations. He now splits his time between Nasari and Indianapolis, Ohio (funny, huh?). As an architect, he is halfway through building a temple for his village. Thakor is a devout Bapuji disciple who runs a Kripalu center in Indianapolis. I smile every time I say that. We were fed and taken care of by his neighbor and family in the most excellent Indian tradition. Indians are beautiful people with rich traditions and there is a wide lovely smile that appears at “Jai Bhagwan”, accompanied by a gentle touch of the fingertips to the heart. So much kindness and hospitality.
Thakor’s house
Premal in Nasari village
Nasari is on the coast of the Arabian sea, but the tide only brings the sea for a few days during the full moon. The rest of the time it is dry, so fishermen have to work fast. It is very dry and flat in that part of Gujarat. Our driver, Mahesh, was with us must of the trip and his humor and friendship made for most pleasant traveling, although his driving was as scary as it was skilled.
Low tide at Nasari
A SPECIAL REQUEST Muktidham was Bapuji’s home for more than four years and is our sacred place, the heart and soul center of our spiritual path in the west. It is in need of your generosity. Please consider becoming a donor by signing up on the website www.kyifamily.org and clicking on “Donations” or contacting Bob Rodini (Bhishma) at bob@agitated-kare.93-90-204-224.plesk.page. We will send you a mug as a token of gratitude and a reminder to you of your generosity.
