India Abroad December 30, 2011
Honoring the eternal Divine Mother
The Parashakthi Temple in Pontiac, Michigan has become a center for universal spirituality
The Parashakthi (Eternal Mother) Temple, located in Pontiac, Michigan, north of Detroit, prides itself as a place of worship for people of
all faiths wishing to pay respect to the female aspect
of the divine.
The goals of the temple are simple, yet universal:
to have a place where people of all faiths are able to
worship the Divine Mother; to reach out and contribute to various humanitarian causes as the need
arises in the community and the world; and to create
a center for spiritual learning and exchange of ideas
on universal spirituality.
The temple was envisioned by Dr G Krishna
Kumar, a distinguished Royal Oak, Michigan physi-
cian, in a deep meditative Kundalini experience
when Adi Shakthi , creative “source” of everything in
the universe and beyond, guided him to build a tem-
ple for “Her,” for peace, happiness, paramount suc-
community, Dr Kumar was inducted into Michigan
Heritage Hall of Fame, in a ceremony at Detroit
Cobo Hall in 2007. The event honored leaders from
various ethnic backgrounds that have made out-
standing contributions to the American way of life,
demonstrated their concerned commitment to mul-
ticulturalism and have generously supported ethnic
and cultural traditions.
ParaShakthi KaRuMaRi Amman, having transcended from Parabrahman to Saguna Brahman, and then
to Nadha Brahman, Nadha Bindu (light and sound),
to Trimoorthys (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva), and as various Gods and Goddesses (Istha Devathas).
“She is the Mother of Kundalini Shakthi, and
many devotees have kundalini experience and raise
their awareness as this temple is active vortex of
The temple’s presiding deity is referred to as Devi
cess and protection of the world.
Abhishekams are performed to the Mother every
Subsequently, Dr Kumar devoted all his activities Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. Navarthri is celebrated
and life around this vision from the Mother and has
in a very grand manner with the Goddess being dec-
observed.
donated millions of dollars for the construction of the temple.
orated with special Alankarams every day and music concerts
The considerations for selecting the site for the temple were
being held all nine days.
spiritually based, and related to Hindu beliefs about the Divine
Parashakthi Temple has Shanmatha form of worship which
Mother, Dr Kumar explained in a recent interview.
was propounded by Adi Sankara and Dr Kumar believes one
The site itself, originally a sacred space for Native
should reach higher Divine consciousness through their Istha
Americans, is believed to contain a wealth of spiritual energy.
Devatha with the six forms of Shanmatha namely:
The land had never been touched by development, and so was
Gaanapadhyam, a shrine for Lord Ganapathy; Shaaktam, a
in a pristine state.
shrine for Mother Parashakthi; Kaumaram, a Sannidhi for
Since its initial construction, the temple has undergone a
Lord Subrahmanya who is Gnaana Shakthi; Saivam, a shrine
major remodeling which has resulted in additional space
for Lord Kubera Siva, Nandikeswara and Lord Nataraja;
being added. Apart from over 6000 sq ft. of worship area, new
Vaishnavam, a shrine for Lord Venkateswara, Lakshmi
space for offices, coat room, multipurpose hall for dining and
Narasimha; Souram, a Sannidhi for Lord Surya Bhagwan as
holding religious events and talks plus a kitchen have been
Satyanarayana and Lord Jagannath.
constructed. Together the built up area is about 10,000 sq ft.
Sankatahara Chathurthi, Pradosham, Satya Narayana Puja
The temple is highly energetic as it is built on mystical
are some of the rituals observed. Krishna Jayanthi , Kandha
vision and the Divine Energy of the vigraha is manifested by
Shasti, Lord Jagannatha Ratha Yatra are also annually
the Goddess’ guidance to Dr Krishna Kumar. She also paves
the way for him to procure vigrahas and establish her various
Dr Kumar says the Parashakthi Temple is the only place in
aspects in the temple. The Goddess grants special mantras to
the world with Lord Krishna installed in all three aspects as
energize the vigrahas and these mantras are
Jagannathji, (child aspect of Lord Krishna),
shared with the devotees since they were given by
Radha Krishna (adult aspect of Lord Krishna)
the Divine Mother “Herself.” The mantras hastens
and Guruvayurappan (elder form of Lord
the awareness, reception and perception of the
Krishna). As part of its recent construction, the
respective cosmic forces instilled into the yanthra
temple is building a grand monumental
made by renowned mystics in India. The yanthra
Rajagopuram tower to honor the three hun-
enhances the respective cosmic energy to manifest
dred various high vibrational cosmic forces as
in the vigrahas.
Angels (Devathas) who are Divine Mother’s
Dr Kumar's vision of the temple is consistent
manifestations at the temple and are mystical-
with the hermetic teachings by Greek author
ly known to show their divine energy in the
Hermes Trismegistus that the universe and all cre-
premises in order to protect Her devotees from
ation originated and transcended from a single
the predicted cataclysmic events in the next
source of the eternal cosmic Divine. It also res-
few years.
onates with Albert Einstein's vision of a New
The temple has also been active on many
Movement that will bind all humanity as one fam-
other fronts. The Parashakthi Temple has
ily (entity) removing us from the eternal slavery.
been part of the Harvard University’s
The majority of those who participate in the
Pluralism project. The temple provides coun-
temple's services are of Indian descent, however a
selling to devotees on Kundalini awakening
number of Americans of European descent are
and is involved with humanitarian activities in
members and have played an important role in the
the community. The temple is also a major
life of the temple, as members of the board of
directors.
Eminent Indian saints have given the title of
Paschima Parashakthi Pitha-Samsthapana Raja
Rishi (Royal Saint and Seer) to Dr Kumar.
Acknowledging his outstanding service to the
Devotees wishing to donate to the temple can do via the following methods:
1. Secure Paypal online: http://www.parashakthitemple.org/donate.aspx
2. Checks: in-person or by postal mail. Please make checks payable to 'The Eternal Mother
Temple' and mailed to 551 W. Kennett Rd, Pontiac, MI 48340
www.parashakthitemple.org
force in interfaith discussions and has been
major participant in interfaith conferences. Dr
Tracy Pintchman, professor, director of
International studies Program at the Loyola
University, Chicago, is writing a book on
Parashakthi Temple.
