Parashakthi Temple
Parashakthi Temple, also known as Eternal Mother Temple is a tirtha peetham (pilgrimage) in the west for Devi Adi Parashakti Durga worshipers situated in the heart of Pontiac, Michigan, United States. The Temple was built in 1999 and the inaugural pooja took place on Vijayadasami day. The Temple land is known for its mystical properties and was once home to the powerful Native American healers.[1]
Founder
The Temple was envisioned by Dr. G Krishna Kumar in a deep meditative Kundalini experience when Goddess Adi Parashakti/Shakthi/Durga [2] guided him to build a temple for “Her,” for peace, happiness and paramount success. Dr. Krishna Kumar is a major donor and has spent millions of dollars for the construction of the Temple.[3][4] In a ceremony held at the Detroit Cobo Hall in 2007, Dr. Krishna Kumar was inducted into the Michigan Heritage Hall of Fame [5] The event honored leaders from various ethnic backgrounds that have made outstanding contributions to the American way of life and demonstrated their concerned commitment to multiculturalism with support to ethnic and cultural traditions. Parashakthi Temple is also a major participant in Inter-faith dialogue.[6]
Mission statement
To share Divine Mother's grace with humanity so that they can explore and experience the Divine.
Main deity: Devi Parashakthi
Divine Mother Parashakthi is "Divine Pure Eternal Consciousness" manifested as Shiva Shakthi and formed a Nada Bindu (sound and spiritual light), which separated into Shiva and Shakthi. All the gods and goddesses are her manifestations of various vibratory divine entities. At Parashakthi Temple, she is present as Parashakthi Karumari Ambika who is closest to the earthly creations. Devi Parashakthi is Kundalini Shakthi, which manifested as Prakrti (Shakthi), which together with Purusha (Shiva) has materialized into various universes (multiverse) as living and non-living entities through maya (illusion) Shakthi.
The Mother Parashakthi Sanctum (Sannidhi) is also graced by the presence of the Maha Meru which now confers the status of RajaRajeswari/ Bhuvaneswari to this Sannidhi. Further, on the same pedestal, there is Goddess Raja Matangi, Devi Varahi Ambika and Devi Bhuvaneshwari. The presence of the different aspects of the Great Mother along with the Maha Meru makes this a very highly energized focus of worship. Compounding this power is the presence of Mother Neelavani who sits high above the Sannidhi.
Shanmatha Peetam
Deities with shrines installed at Parashakti Temple include the Shanmata form of worship[7] that was proposed by Adi Shankara and include
1. Ganapadhyam : Shrines for Lord Ganapathi. The Temple has three Vigrahas installed: Shakthi Ganapathi is situated to the Right side of Mother Parashakthi, Tantrika Ganapathi is across from Mother facing Her and Neelavani Ambika,and the abode of Prakara Ganapathi is outside the Temple. Abhishekam is performed for all three Deities on the Sukla Chathurthi (4th Phase) of waxing Moon in the month of Bhadrapada (August–September)and during Sankata Hara Chaturthi
2. Shaktam : A shrine for Mother Parashakthi as Karumari Amman. In this form, we, as separate "Jeevatma" (individual soul) can communicate with "Paramatman" (super soul) through Her, that will ultimately lead to our union with Paramatman. Abhishekam and Alankaram is performed to the Divine Mother on every Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
3. Kaumaram : A Sannidhi for Lord Subrahmanya who is depicted with His two vallabais (Shakthis) on Valli and Deivanai on His right and left side respectively. They represent Iccha Sakthi (the power of desire) and Kriya Shakthi (the power of action). He carries a spear that is known as Gnana Shakthi (the energy of Wisdom). All three are three-fold manifestation of Divine Mother Parasakthi. The major functions are Vaikasi Visakam, celebrating His manifestation and Skanda Sashti, a festival of six days celebrating His victory over SuraPadma, an Asura. Utsavamurthys of Lord Muruga, Valli, and Deyvayanai along with Boga Siddhar are taken out in procession around the temple on days that are important for the worship of Lord Muruga.
4. Saivam : A shrine for Lord Kubera Siva, Nandikeswara and Lord Nataraja. He is worshipped in His formless form of Shiva Lingam. Celebration include Maha Siva Ratri and is performed on Krishna Chathurdasi (14th phase of waning Moon) during the whole night in the Month of Magam. In addition, Pradosham is celebrated with Abishekam, twice in a month on Triyodasi (13th phase of the Moon). A separate shrine for Lord Kubera Shiva Lingam with the Lingam form that encompasses Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva all in one. This particular Lingam is one that was worshipped by Lord Kubera, the keeper of the wealth of the celestial beings in Hinduism.
5. Vaishnavam : A shrine for Lord Venkateswara, Lakshmi Narasimha.
6. Souram : A Sannidhi for Lord Surya Bhagwan as Satyanarayana and Lord Jagannatha.
Major festivals
Devi Navaratri (Dasara) is the major function celebrating the Mother. This is celebrated on nine consecutive nights in the Month of Aswayujam starting on the 1st phase and ending on 10th phase of waxing Moon. This function depicts how the Mother manifested Herself as Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi to get rid of evil forces. The tenth day is celebrated as Vijaya (victorious) Dasami with a procession of the Mother around the temple.
References
- ↑ "Center Profile". Pluralism.org. 1999-10-19. Retrieved 2012-07-17.
- ↑ jagbir singh. "Kundalini means 'coiled energy' and it refers to a power which lies in three-and-a-half coils in the sacrum bone called the Mooladhara". Adishakti.org. Retrieved 2012-07-17.
- ↑ India Abroad
- ↑ Hindustan Times
- ↑ "Past Hall of Fame Awardees". IIMD. Retrieved 2012-07-17.
- ↑ "Common Bond Institute". Cbiworld.org. Retrieved 2012-07-17.
- ↑ "Welcome to Parashakthi (Eternal Mother) Amman Temple, Pontiac, Michigan, USA". Parashakthitemple.org. Retrieved 2012-07-17.