Together, we’re building a spiritual home for Maa Durga—step by step.
This page shares our phased plan so supporters can see exactly where we are, what’s next, and how to help.
From our first gatherings to a living sacred space, these moments reflect the unfolding of Durga Bari.
The First Gathering of the Community — Saratoga Library
🌱 Pre-Initiation — Laying the Foundation
🪔 Initiation — First Durga Bari Community Puja, Warehouse Worship & Programs
🔥 Phase 1 — Complete Soil Collection for Shakti & Jotirlinga Stoopa
🏛️ Phase 2 — Acquiring Land & Building the Temple
🌸 Phase 3 — Permanent Temple & Cultural Center
🌱 Pre-Initiation — Laying the Foundation (Now–2025)
What we’re doing
Community listening: meetings, polls, gathering feedback
Legal setup: Articles of Incorporation, 501(c)(3), bylaws, board
Guiding Principles: humility, unity, sanctity; no politics/ego
Digital launch: website, mailing list, WhatsApp/Telegram groups
Seed fundraising & pledges for the first puja and startup costs
Milestones to track
✅ Nonprofit registration filed
✅ Website launched
🟡 Pledges toward first puja
🟡 Volunteer sign-ups
How you can help
Join as an early volunteer
Make a seed pledge (any amount helps)
Share the vision with friends and family
Initiation — First Community Puja & Early Temple Worship (2026)
Purpose
Demonstrate the vision in action—bring everyone together for a community Durga Puja in a rented venue.
What’s included
Pratima, rituals, and bhog/prasad
Cultural evening (music, dance, recitation)
Youth engagement (art, heritage storytelling)
Community sign-ups (membership interest, volunteers, donors)
Milestones to track
🟡 Venue booked
🟡 Priest & ritual items confirmed
🟡 Sponsorships secured
🟡 Volunteer teams filled (setup, decor, cultural, logistics, food, outreach)
How you can help
Sponsor a puja item or day
Join a volunteer team
Invite your network
Warehouse Worship & Programs (2025–2026)
Goal
Move to a warehouse or rented community space for regular worship and programs while we build capacity for land purchase.
What this enables
Festival cycle: Durga, Kali, Lakshmi, Saraswati pujas
Monthly satsangs & bhajans, kids’ language/music/dance classes
Senior meet-ups and cultural workshops
Donation transparency and reserve building for land
Readiness checklist
🟡 Space identified and lease terms feasible
🟡 Safety, insurance, permits ready
🟡 Starter furnishings: shrine stage, lights, sound, storage
🟡 Monthly operating budget covered by pledges/memberships
How you can help
Become a monthly sustainer ($108/month)
Donate items (sound, lights, storage, rugs, seating)
Offer skills (teaching, accounts, graphic design, AV, photography)
🔥 Phase 1 — Complete Soil Collection for Shakti & Jotirlinga Stoopa
Vision
Durga Bari aspires to enshrine two sacred Stoopas within the temple:
Shakti Stoopa: formed with sacred soil from all 52 Shakti Peethas.
Jyotirlinga Stoopa: formed with sacred soil from all 12 Jyotirlingas.
Together, these Stoopas will create a sanctum sanctorum where devotees can experience the complete divine presence of Shakti and Shiva.
Spiritual Significance
The Shakti Stoopa will embody the cosmic energy of Maa Durga in all her forms.
The Jyotirlinga Stoopa will embody Lord Shiva’s eternal light across the twelve jyotirlinga shrines.
Together, they will provide spiritual solace and wholeness, allowing devotees to rejoice in the united blessings of Shakti and Shiva.
How it will be created
Soil will be lovingly collected from each of the 52 Shakti Peethas and 12 Jyotirlingas.
Devotees and volunteers will help bring these sacred soils, to be placed in consecrated kalash (urns).
These kalash will be preserved until the permanent temple foundation ritual, where the Stoopas will be ritually installed.
How you can help
Volunteer to assist in collecting soil from a Shakti Peetha or Jyotirlinga when you travel or through connections.
Sponsor the cost of soil collection journeys.
Participate in the Soil Offering Ceremony during Durga Puja.