Shri Shakti Mariammaa, a Hindu temple in Queens, New York, serving as a refuge for women and LGBTQ community members, faces closure without $150,000 in necessary upgrades, reflecting its vital role and challenges in maintaining a safe spiritual space.
Since its establishment in 2008, the Shri Shakti Mariammaa temple has been a sanctuary for a diverse group, particularly women and the LGBTQ community, offering a unique spiritual experience in Richmond Hill, Queens. Under the glow of a skylight, the temple houses a significant figure of the goddess Mariamman, renowned as an incarnation of Kali. This deity, symbolizing time and death, is central to the temple’s worship, where incense and rum, alongside traditional offerings, create a distinct atmosphere.
The temple’s practices diverge from mainstream Hindu traditions, with congregants primarily of Indo-Caribbean descent celebrating the goddess Kali, noted for her representation of transcendental knowledge and spiritual possession. During worship, it is common to witness a pujari, or lay priest, visibly moved by divine energy, reflecting the temple’s role as a healing refuge.
Sharda Ramsami, one of the temple’s founding members, emphasized its importance as a haven for those seeking both physical and spiritual solace. She noted that, for many, the temple represents a last resort where they find solutions to issues no other place provided.
Distinguished by its inclusive ethos, the temple performs same-sex weddings, catering to those shunned by other religious institutions. Unlike traditional temples that may restrict women’s roles or access, Shri Shakti Mariammaa empowers women, including appointing women as priestesses.
However, the temple now confronts the threat of closure due to its need for significant building improvements—a financial hurdle of over $150,000. Without these upgrades, mandated to comply with NYC regulations for community spaces, the temple could be forced out, a scenario that deeply troubles its community.
Shri Shakti Mariammaa has encountered local resistance, notably from a neighbor who, after complaints of noise during religious festivities, opposed the temple’s structural proposals and related activities. Such opposition reflects deeper cultural misunderstandings surrounding the temple’s symbolic and ritualistic practices.
Historically, the temple’s roots can be traced to the 19th-century Indo-Caribbean migration of indentured laborers, who brought their indigenous religious practices from southern India to the Caribbean. These traditions, sustained by the temple’s founders, remain relevant and vibrant in today’s Queens community.
Despite financial challenges, the temple currently survives through donations for specific rituals, adhering to a principle of accessible worship without financial obligations. Efforts to fundraise, such as a GoFundMe campaign endorsed by local organizations, highlight the collective effort to support the temple’s mission and secure its future.
The temple also fosters cultural engagement beyond worship, hosting events like the Om Night open mic series. Rohan Narine, representing Hindus for Human Rights, praised the temple for its raw spiritual energy, urging broader acceptance of varied Hindu practices within the Indo-Caribbean community.
As Shri Shakti Mariammaa faces uncertainty, its supporters remain adamant about preserving the temple’s distinct spiritual space, advocating for a recognition of the full spectrum of Hindu worship practices.
Source: Original article