Our Mission

We are fundraising to purchase acres of land in the mountains of Virginia and build a traditional Agamic Hindu temple, dedicated to Goddess Durga in Her form of Shakambhari. The Temple will be the first Temple constructed for Shakambhari Devi also called Banashankari Devi (Goddess of the Forest) outside of India. It will become a uniquely powerful pilgrimage site for Hindus from around the world. The property will also be the home base for the Soma Matha  Spiritual Center to continue work to teach the Vedic sciences.

​Swamiji has had visions of the property in the Mountains in (or near) Virginia. The mountains have been identified by the Rishis as a particularly powerful place, with dense spiritual energy, especially conducive to supporting people's sadhana. 

"This will be the first Temple constructed for Shakambhari outside of India. It will become a uniquely powerful pilgrimage site for Hindus from around the world."

A SACRED TEMPLE, SPIRITUAL REFUGE, &
PILGRIMAGE SITE FOR HINDUS AROUND THE GLOBE.

Support the Mission and Donate Today.

Our Vision

Computer-Generated Model of Temple Vision

Situated on a forested mountain peak with a small portion of woodlands cleared for the construction of a holy temple, the Banashankari Temple of Virginia, will blend elements of traditional Vijayanagara temple architecture and American vernacular religious architecture. The design, construction and consecration will also accurately follow the edicts of the Agama shastras. Swamiji and his students have been chanting and conducting pujas to Goddess Shakambhari for years to build sacred energies for the Temple. Recently completing 600,000 repetitions of Devi’s Gayatri mantra. The Temple will include shrines for 16 forms of the Goddess and other Gods including Shiva, Dhanvantari, Ganesha, and a very unique shrine for the Nine Planets of Vedic Astrology which will also serve as an ephemeris tracking the movements of the Planets. These sorts of projects do not manifest overnight. They require much dedicated effort over the years and the contributions of multiple people. But the resulting space of such efforts is profoundly sacred.

The presence of Divine shakti can be easily felt by those who visit such a space. Like the great Temples in India which are powerful to shift people's karmas and bring about all sorts of worldly fulfillment even as they lead seekers toward the ultimate liberation. Work is being done now to open channels so that Devotees will be able to see the Divine in this Sacred Temple, which will be one unique feature of its energetic presence in the world.         

YOUR DONATION MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.

Your support today will help build a spiritual refuge.

Current Temple Progress

Previously, we purchased two properties for the Temple (one in 2011 and one in 2016), but in both cases, neighbor's opposition to our Hindu faith created obstacles. For six years we tried to get permits for a Temple at the last property near Richmond, Virginia. County officials denied our permit application. So we sold that property in 2021, but could only afford an interim property. The new 2 acre property serves as a rectory for Swamiji and a residence for karma yogis. The Soma Matha House is the home base for all our online teachings and events. While we are grateful for this space, the property is too small to build a Temple and is very open to the neighboring properties in a rural residential neighborhood. 

​None the less, we are performing daily pujas and offering many online services and one, monthly, Purnima Devi Puja which is open to the public. We are seeking spaces nearby to offer more public pujas and teachings.  We are currently working to bring three murtis from India for the Temple, the carving of which was commissioned by Swamiji. We expect to have the murtis in Virginia by the end of 2022. We are raising money to implement repairs to the property and to pay off our mortgage so that we can sell it and purchase a suitable property for the Temple. As of August 2022, approximately $168,000 is owed for the property. Our goal is to pay off our mortgage as quickly as possible so that we can sell and afford a suitable property to construct Devi's Temple.  

Your Donation Helps to:

- Bring Murtis From India
- Sponsor our Regular Pujas
- Sponsor Netra unmeelanam Ceremonies
- Buy food for Volunteers
- Buy Food and Medicine for the Animals

- Meet our goal of $7,000 in monthly Pledges
- Complete Necessary Repairs to the Property
- Repair the Collapsing Kitchen 
- Paint our Fence to Preserve the Wood 
​- Stop Water Entering the Buildings ​

Donations of food, clothing, animal food and medicines, fruit, flowers, milk and other puja offerings are also very useful. Email [email protected] to inquire what of these donations are required most at the moment. Volunteers to help with fund raising, web design, preparation and presentation of teachings, maintenance and repairs to the property, and puja preparations are also very helpful. If you cannot afford to donate, you can still help with this worthy project by volunteering to offering your skills.