Help Us Build a Sannidhi for Devi (The Goddess)This year, for Navaratri, we are launching a project to beautify the Temple by constructing a sannidhi for the Goddess. We are offering special items blessed by the Goddess and by Swamiji here at the Temple for donors who contribute specific amounts.
Learn more about these blessed items below. |
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We have raised 216 of our goal of $2,000!
What is a sannidhi?
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The Sanskrit word sannidhi means to be in grace. It may also mean presence, nearness, visibility, proximity, or vicinity. In the case of Temple architecture, a sannidhi is a special structure within a Temple which houses the consecrated icon of the Deity. The word sannidhi refers to the house-like structures where consecrated images are installed and to the Divine Shakti in the vicinity of the inner sanctum of a Temple which heals and draws a person toward Divine consciousness. The palpable energy of the Deity can be felt in the inner sanctum of a Temple.
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Image of the Sannidhi at the Samadhi Shrine of Sage Thirumoolar at Chidambaram
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Support the Sannidhi Project Today and Receive a Gift
The construction of a Devi Sannidhi to be installed at the Temple space at the current property will require an estimated $2,000. Those who contribute $108 toward this goal will receive a blessed copper Shri Yantra. Those who donate $250 will receive a blessed sphatika mala. Those who donate $1,000 will receive a blessed Jade Meru Shri Yantra.
Sphatika Mala | $250Sphatika (quartz crystal) is a favorite of the Goddess.
Benefits: Praying with or wearing sphatika mala is said to calm the mind, improve concentration, reduce stress, remove fear and anger, aid in relationships, increase affection and happiness, strengthen one's purpose in life, dispel negativity, strengthen one's aura, help increase intuition and mental clarity, protect from negative energy, and aid in healing. In ayurveda, the ash of quartz crystal is used to treat indigestion, acidity, urinary conditions, respiratory conditions, skin conditions, menstrual disorders, and blood disorders. |
Shri Chakra Pendants | $108The Shri Chakra is the mystical diagram of the Great Goddess, Tripurasundari, the Mother of the Universe.
Benefits: Wearing, worshiping, or meditating on the Shri Chakra is said to help increase spiritual and material prosperity, bring mental clarity, peace of mind, and protection, remove negativity from oneself and one's surroundings, remove obstacles, increase harmony in relationships, promote health, increase success in one's undertakings, facilitate progress in one's spiritual practice, help connect with divine cosmic forces, and lead toward moksha / liberation. These copper pendants have the image of the Shri Chakra on one side and the Goddess in Her manifestation of Lakshmi (Wealth) on the other side. |
Jade Shri Yantra | $1,000Benefits: The Shri Chakra is the mystical diagram of the Great Goddess, Tripurasundari, the Mother of the Universe.
Benefits: Keeping at your place of worship, worshiping, or meditating on the Shri Chakra is said to help increase spiritual and material prosperity, bring mental clarity, peace of mind, and protection, remove negativity from oneself and one's surroundings, remove obstacles, increase harmony in relationships, promote health, increase success in one's undertakings, facilitate progress in one's spiritual practice, help connect with divine cosmic forces, and lead toward moksha / liberation. Jade has special properties to increase confidence, improve health, attract wealth and abundance, and to help resolve spiritual and emotional issues. |
The mystical nature and purpose of a Sannidhi?
Swamiji's sketch of the planned Devi Sannidhi
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The physical appearance of a duly consecrated Temple is not important for the energetic exchange which takes place when people have the darshana (sight) of the Deity. However, the Sages have revealed a mystical system for constructing sacred spaces which mirrors the inner journey spiritual seekers must undergo to approach the Divine. Outside the Temple, it is very bright from the light of the Sun. Carvings depict many people and Deities engaged in various activities which depict the stories from the Scriptures. The outer portion of the Temple is very ornate and the carvings are often colorful and elaborate. As one enters into the Temple it gets dark and ornamentation less elaborate. It is not uncommon to find images of demonic beings as we approach the Deity in the Temple. The Tiruvachi arch behind the Deity itself often has demonic Makaras and Yakshas depicted. This symbolizes the darkness the human soul must face along with many inner demons as they approach God. Through the open door of the Sannidhi, the sight and blessing of the Deity is had. In meditation, the mind gradually becomes calm and still, as we reveal and release various layers of unresolved thought and emotions. These are the inner demons we must face to pureify our consciousness and come close to God.
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Why are we constructing a sannidhi?
A detail from Swamiji sketches of the planned sannidhi
Another detail from Swamiji's sketches
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This special offering for the Goddess will help increase the sacred atmosphere of the Temple and help improve the experience of visitors to connect with the Goddess by creating a traditional temple feel. The construction of a sannidhi is not just cosmetic, it has energetic significance also, as its design helps to concentrate and focus the energies generated through regular worship for the benefit of Temple visitors and the surrounding community. In South Indian Temples, visitors are not allowed to enter the inner sanctum of the Temple, but have the darshan of the Deity through a door in the sannidhi. Only trained priests and their ordained assistants are allowed to enter into the sannidhi or to directly make offerings to the Deity. Before they can do this, certain rituals must be performed to calm the mind and to remove worldly energies. This tradition helps to keep the Temple pure from the negative energy brought in by the many devotees who visit the temple and thus helps to empower the temple for greater healing to occur through the sacred presence of the temple. The construction of a sannidhi here also has a practical purpose which is to help us to better organize the many implements and offerings required for regular temple style pujas while keeping them near the puja altar and clearing clutter from the view of temple visitors. Swamiji's design allows for the sannidhi to be easily disassembled and relocated when we find a suitable property at which to build a permanent home for the Goddess in Virginia.
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