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Dr. Devananda Tandavan's $2 Million Bequest to Iraivan Temple

two-men.jpgThe late Dr. Devananda Tandavan, author of more than 100 articles on health for Hinduism Today and among the earliest supporters of Kauai's Iraivan Temple, left close to $2 million through his estate to the temple after his passing in 2003 at age 83.

A total of $623,138 came as a bequest through Devananda's revocable living trust and $1,345,716 from his charitable remainder trust. (A charitable remainder trust provides the donor with tax and income benefits during life, with the principal going to good causes at death.) Paramacharya Sivanatha of Kauai's Hindu Monastery recalled that in 1982 Dr. Tandavan was at the first Iraivan Temple committee meeting with the monastery's founder, Gurudeva, in Chennai, India.

Through the years, Dr. Tandavan followed the progress of the temple closely. He was also present at the auspicious moment when Gurudeva chipped the first stone for the temple at a grand ceremony held by Sri Sri Sri Trichyswami at his ashram and temple in Bangalore in December of 1990. Paramacharya reminds us, "After the Innersearch, he stayed on with me and Kumarswami to help work out the details of the contract with Dr. Ganapati Sthapati and Kailas Ashram and for the final signing of the agreement."

Devananda served as an Iraivan Temple committee member for the remainder of his life. He often traveled to India to meet with the architects.

The son of Vaudeville performers, Dr. Tandavan was an accomplished pianist, a prolific reader and a gourmet cook. He was also a member of the American Medical Association, the International College of Surgeons, the Society of Nuclear Medicine, the American Federation of Astrologers, the International Reiki Association and the International Center of Homeopathy.

"Dr. Tandavan was much more than a scholar and a philanthropist," remembered Nilima Srikantha, a close friend who first met him in Sri Lanka in 1982. "He was a totally loveable human, with an unquenchable joie de vivre. 'Dr. T,' as he was known affectionately by his readers, had a sharp, dry wit and superb taste in music, clothing, jewelry, wine and food. Each year, he purchased a season's pass to the Chicago Opera, and even when his health was failing, he managed to attend opening night."

Mrs. Srikantha said he first became involved with our teachings when he read Gurudeva's profound little book The Clear White Light and sought out the author. Before long, "He became one of Guru­deva's most devoted chelas and a member of Saiva Siddhanta Church. Because tithing was firmly part of his background, Dr. Tandavan gave generously to the Church and to other Hindu temples. However, he kept close watch on how his gifts were spent."

Ceyonswami narrated, "Dr. Tandavan's generosity to Kauai's Hindu Monastery was truly amazing. He fully believed in and experienced the law of giving: that you can't really give anything away, because it always returns to you twofold."

Dr. Tandavan used to joke that just the sound of Paramacharya's voice on the phone had him reaching for his checkbook. "It is a fact that whenever we really needed help for a project, we would call on Devananda," Paramacharya reminisced. "We knew he would be there for us."

The Hindu Heritage Endowment is honored to list the name of Devananda Tandavan, MD, as a member of its Legacy Sangha for his estate gifts to Iraivan Temple.

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Information contained herein was accurate at the time of posting. The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in any examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results. California residents: Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. Oklahoma residents: A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. South Dakota residents: Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.

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April 2024
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Use Giving Assistant to save money and support Hindu Heritage Endowment

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Hindu Heritage Endowment a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

 Bequest Language

"I give [percentage of my estate, stated sum of money, designated property or balance of estate] to the [insert name of fund] of Hindu Heritage Endowment, a charitable trust whose Federal Employer Identification Number is 99-0308924, located at 107 Kaholalele Road, Kapaa, Hawaii, 96746-9304, USA."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to HHE or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to HHE as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to HHE as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and HHE where you agree to make a gift to HHE and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.
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