A living celebration of Bhakti

Although He might look fierce, Narasimha is actually very caring for His devotees. He comes to restore balance and to destroy what is called ‘spiritual pride’. Narasimha has several aspects, and the main deity of the temple is known as Bhutabhrteshwarnath, which means ‘the Lord who nourishes the whole universe’. If you look closely on the top of His shrine, you will see nine small figures. That arrangement is quite unique: there is no other temple that features these particular nine forms of Narasimha under one roof.

Blessings: Purifies, protects, balances and removes all obstacles on your spiritual path so that you can attain the Ultimate.

Radha and Krishna represent the loving relationship between the devotee and God, which is the essence of our path, ‘Bhakti Marga’, the path of devotion. The presence of this Divine Couple reminds us all to deepen and develop our own unique relationship with the Divine. The Divine couple’s name is Kripanidhe which means ‘the one whose heart is full of mercy and bestows Divine Grace’.

Blessings: Awakens you to Prem: Divine Love and single-pointed focus on God.

Maha-Lakshmi is the Lord’s ever-present consort, the Cosmic Mother who cares for everyone. She is like the intercessor: in the same way that in the Christian tradition people may pray to Mother Mary, so, in the Hindu tradition, we have Maha-Lakshmi that cares for us. Most often known for prosperity and financial wealth, Maha-Lakshmi is first and foremost the provider of spiritual wealth. Anyone who comes to Her is blessed by Her Grace to progress on the spiritual path.

Blessings: Bestows abundance in all aspects of your life, wealth, happiness, wisdom, and the courage to face yourself, which enhances your progress towards the Ultimate.

Sri Ranganath is a manifestation of the Supreme Lord, Narayana, in His Maha-Vishnu aspect. He is the eternal consort of Maha-Lakshmi and thus His name is Sripiteshwar. He reclines on His constant companion, Adishesh, who floats on the Milky Ocean. Although in this pose it may look like He is drifting off to sleep, He is not; Maha-Vishnu is enjoying His creation. His Divine Will is the starting point for creation, and He lives inside of us all, deep within our spiritual hearts.

Blessings: Connection with the Ultimate, provides and helps you attain the goal of life.

Mahavatar Babaji is the immortal yogi who has given Kriya Yoga to the world, and Sri Ramanuja Acharya is the one responsible for consolidating and refining the philosophy and practices of the Sri Sampradaya. Their placement on the altar reminds us of the importance of the Guru in our tradition, and that no spiritual goal can be achieved on our own; the Grace of the Master is always needed.

Blessings: Protection, mercy and the Grace to help you attain the Divine.

Sita-Rama are incarnations of Maha-Lakshmi and Narayana, respectively. Sita represents purity and loyalty to Her beloved husband, Lord Rama. Lord Rama was the perfect man who personified dharma, righteousness. Lord Rama came to show how important it is to do one’s duty, one’s dharma, in life and by doing so in the right way, one can attain the grace of God and attain His eternal abode, Vaikuntha.

Blessings: Confers the strength to accept and perfectly carry out one’s own dharma and attain God’s grace.

Introducing the very unique and mystic form of Radha-Durga. Radha-Durga bestows divine grace upon us, and grants us the transcendental knowledge by which we can know God. When we worship Radha-Durga, we honour the Divine Mother in all Her aspects that serve the Avatars of the Lord.

Blessings: Helps you to become detached from limiting desires and to desire only the Ultimate, thereby enabling you to attain the Lord.

Tulsi Devi is the embodiment of purity, chastity, unconditional love and devotion. She is the Divine Mother who gives ceaselessly to Her children. You’ll see Her in two forms in the temple: as a deity and as a plant. She assumes the form of a plant for the benefit of everyone who performs devotional service to the Lord. In fact, no offering to Maha-Vishnu is accepted by Him without a Tulsi leaf being offered as well.

Blessings: Confers purity of mind and body so that you may develop unconditional love and devotion.

Goddess Saraswati is the Divine Mother that oversees the arts, science, and music, and grants spiritual knowledge. In her hands, she holds the four Vedas, the eternal wisdom for humanity. Being connected to language and speech, she also helps individuals to be able to speak fluently and inspirationally. She is associated with the Indian holy river, Saraswati. Many students pray to her and ask for her intercession when they want to learn and pass their exams.

Blessings: Helps one to study the sciences, music, art and spiritual knowledge so that one can attain true wisdom of the Self.

Gayatri-devi is one of the primordial aspects of the Divine Mother, and all Hindu traditions worship Her. A wife of Brahma, She symbolises purity and spiritual advancement, and is considered the Mother of the four Vedas. She also brought into being the Gayatri Mantra which is considered one of the most powerful mantras, granting purification of sins and ultimate liberation.

Blessings: Helps to develop focus of mind so that you can effectively learn. Grants success in the areas of art, music, science and spiritual knowledge.

The Shiva Lingam is considered Shiva Himself, one of the greatest devotees of the Lord. Considered an embodiment of the Divine Consciousness, Shiva is also the energy of transformation in material creation, as well as transformation along the spiritual path. Kanchi Kamakshi is the beautiful Devi at the back of this small alcove. Known as ‘the one with the enchanting eyes’, She is also known as the one who has all the symbols of life’s desires firmly in hand. By controlling these attachments, we can obtain liberation. She is not only a sweet reminder of that, but is also an effective helper that can carry us to that goal.

Blessings: Control of desire and support on the spiritual path. Helps you to attain true Bhakti and understanding of the purpose of your sadhana.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was considered an incarnation of Krishna and Radha in one body, so that Krishna could experience the immense Love and devotion that Radha had for Him. Nityananda was His closest associate and, together, they spread the Sankirtan Bhakti movement, singing the Name of the Lord as the easiest means to Enlightenment.

Blessings: Helps you to experience the Divine and attain the Lord’s Grace through chanting the Divine Names.

Panduranga is Lord Krishna, the King of Dwarka, and Rukmini is His wife, the incarnation of Maha-Lakshmi. They are very close to Their devotees, showing us that They are always there for us. In Maharashtra there are many saints who were devoted to Panduranga and Rukmini. These saints (Tukaram, Janabai, Balumama, etc.) inspire us on our spiritual journey. Taking these saints as examples, we can establish our own close, intimate relationship with the Lord. Guruji invoked the same energy of Rukmini and Panduranga right here in Shree Peetha Nilaya, so that we can serve Them and experience Their sweet love.

Blessings: Helps one to develop an intimate relationship with God, by putting God and others first; brings us closer to our true Self; awakens the joy of serving.

Shirdi Sai Baba was an Indian spiritual Master who supported both Hindu and Muslim devotees and encouraged both to chant God’s names, to read and to pray. He enabled people to have respect for those on different spiritual paths. Shirdi Sai Baba showed people how to love one another independent of creed and caste. He mainly helped people to develop faith and patience in their lives. Baba also encouraged charity and service to others. He is a best friend to all who come to Him.

Blessings: Helps the individual to be happy and content with one’s own life circumstances and to develop love and faith in God.

Hanuman is the embodiment of humility and service. Hanuman’s service was so loving, so perfect and selfless, that even Rama considered Hanuman to be dearer than His own brothers. Hanuman is the ocean of wisdom and virtue. Lord Rama asked Hanuman to stay on earth to protect all His bhaktas. Of all the protectors on the path of bhakti, there is none greater than Hanuman.

Blessings: Hanuman enables the bhaktas to attain the greatest human quality: humility. Even if the bhakta becomes very wise and knowledgeable, Hanuman keeps one humble and brings one to perfect their loving service to the Lord.

Kali Ma is standing naked on Shiva, thus showing that she is completely free and unbound, being the creative and dynamic aspect of God, while Shiva is the still consciousness. When propitiated, she cuts down all inner demons and attachments that obstruct the sadhak in attaining freedom. Her long, black hair contains the whole cosmos in which Her cosmic play unfolds, and in which she participates as the Kundalini Shakti of every human being; she is both in the game and beyond it. Uniting the seeming opposites of death and life, with motherly care, she will free all who surrender, like a child, to her.

Sudarshana Narasimha represents a unique combination of Lord Vishnu’s attributes of protection and fierce grace. Sudarshana, the discus, symbolizes the all-pervading nature of the Lord, serving as a reminder of the divine order that maintains the universe. Narasimha, the lion-man avatar, signifies the Lord’s protective and nurturing aspect, especially his role as the destroyer of obstacles and evil. This form is particularly worshipped for its ability to ward off negative influences and provide a sanctuary of peace and righteousness. In temples, the presence of Sudarshana Narasimha is believed to create a shield against negativity, safeguarding all who enter from the adverse effects of ill-will and malevolence.

Blessings: Offers a powerful divine shield, protects from negativity, and secures the temple environment.

Andal is revered as a manifestation of the Earth Goddess, Bhudevi, and an expansion of the divine consort, Lakshmi. She is celebrated as a symbol of total devotion and love for the Supreme Lord, Narayana, mirroring the passionate adoration of the Gopis for Krishna. At the tender age of 16, she is believed to have merged with Lord Ranganatha, a form of Lord Vishnu, exemplifying the ultimate union with the divine that every soul yearns for. Her poetic works, the “Thiruppavai” and “Nachiar Tirumozhi,” are devotional treasures that continue to inspire and invoke divine love in the hearts of the faithful.

Blessings: Embodiment of pure devotion, inspires spiritual union with the Divine, divine love and surrender.