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 G.Krishna
Kumar, M.D., F.R.C.P.©, F.A.C.G., F.A.C.P. - Temple
Founder, President and spiritual director
Dr. Krishna Kumar, the temple founder, has been a staff
member of William Beaumont Hospital since 1970. He is also
an adjunct associate professor of medicine at Wayne State
University College of Medicine. Dr. Kumar has published
many articles in leading medical journals.
During a deep meditative Kundalini experience Dr. G.
Krishna Kumar had a vision of the Divine Mother, Devi
Parashakthi Karumariamman, who directed him to build a
temple for “Her,” so that Her children can visit Her
“house” and feel “Her” energy and receive divine blessings
and grace. Dr. G. Krishna Kumar then devoted all his
activities and life around this vision from the Mother (Devi
Sri Parashakthi). With Her Divine guidance and his own
meditative abilities, he has been guiding this project as
the founding member and President of the Parashakthi
Temple. He has contributed major portion of the funds and
has donated millions of dollars, much of it is from
personal borrowing from the bank.
He has devoted a great deal of his time and indeed some of
us who have been closely working with him have seen his
ability as a leader and visionary, with absolute
dedication to the monumental task he has undertaken.
Before this divine experience, Dr Krishna Kumar was
carrying on his philanthropic activities in India and in
United States quietly. A number of families who are
present even at the temple know of his generosity and help
in that direction. Indeed, Dr Krishna Kumar is our leader
in the community.
Recognizing his new role after the deep meditative
experience, he wanted to strengthen our organization at
the national level even further. To strengthen our
organization and community he has met with numerous
leaders in the community. He was invited to Washington in
Oct 2001 for further discussion and to meet with other
senators and Governors He has developed relationship with
the Michigan Governor and Mayor of the Pontiac City and
this has helped our congregation’s goals. This certainly
has given strength to our organization. Our organization’s
goals are indeed dear to our community at the spiritual
and economic level.
The devotees of the Parashakthi Temple are all grateful to
such a divine messenger who has indeed made it possible,
for us to gather and celebrate many holy festivities in
the presence of the Divine Mother. In spite of his duties
as a physician, as a leader at the temple, and devoting
numerous hours to the temple activities, he continues to
have his deep Kundalini meditation practice everyday,
which has enhanced his mystical abilities. Many devotees
of our congregation have experienced numerous miraculous
events at our Temple and receive divine grace and
blessings from our Divine Mother Parashakthi who is
omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent and the embodiment
of divine love and compassion. Dr. Krishna Kumar is a
seer, a mystic, a theosophist, a philosopher, a
philanthropist and a highly evolved soul to whom all the
devotees of the Temple are very thankful.
Dr. Krishna Kumar is Temple Founder, Patron, President and
spiritual director. *
 Venkat
Hari, PhD, Vice President
Professor Venkat Hari, PhD is Emeritus Professor of
Biotechnology and Molecular Biology in the Dept of
Biological Sciences at Wayne State University, Detroit. He
is an Editor of “GM Crops” an International journal
focused on genetically modified ( recombinant DNA) crops
and is a consultant in Biotechnology. He is very active in
community affairs and has served as president of Tamil
Sangam, Michigan (1988-89), Chairperson - Michigan Asian
Indian Family Services (1997-2000) and a former member of
the Board of Friends of Asian Art, and Detroit Institute
of Arts, Detroit, Michigan. He also writes articles on
Hinduism.
 Mrs.
Margaret Kumar, Manager
Mrs. Margaret Kumar is the wife of the Temple founder, Dr.
Krishna Kumar. She has been a Divine Mother devotee since
childhood. Mrs. Kumar is a former Deputy Mayor of the city
of Sylvan Lake, Michigan. She is a licensed judge for the
“Miss America” pageant organization and has coached many
young women in this program to win thousands of dollars in
college scholarships.
Mrs. Kumar graduated Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa honors.
She was recently awarded State of Michigan Citizen
Volunteer of the Year award and was also given the
Congressional Medal of Honor awarded by the National
Republican Party. She is a trained search and rescue
member of the Civil Air Patrol and holds the rank of
Second Lieutenant.
Mrs. Margaret has been instrumental in the successful
completion of the temple remodeling project despite
several problems and obstacles that were encountered
during the planning and construction phases of the
project.
 Kristen
Keskey, M.D., F.A.C.P. Temple Treasurer
Dr. Keskey is a distinguished Physician of internal
Medicine at William Beaumont Hospital. She has been on the
board of the Parashakthi Temple since it’s inception. She
has supported the temple with monetary contributions and
dedicated service. She has been in spiritual path from her
childhood. She is a “seeker” who will become a “seer” with
Divine Mother’s grace. She has donated substantial sums so
far.
Dr. Keskey is a Temple Benefactor and Sustaining Life
Member.*
 Manveen
Saluja, M.D., F.A.C.P., Secretary
Dr. Manveen Saluja is a clinical assistant professor at
Wayne State University and attending staff at William
Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak and Troy. Dr. Saluja
completed residency training in Internal Medicine at Wayne
State University and Rheumatology Fellowship at University
of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She has received a Michigan State
Medical Society – Volunteer Award in 1999.
She is involved with teaching medical residents from
Beaumont Hospital and medical students from Wayne State
University. Besides her teaching activities and clinical
care, she has interest in patient belief systems and their
impact on patient care.
She spends a great deal of her time in raising spiritual
awareness through Kundalini Yoga. She constantly counsels
number of people spiritually and spends great deal of time
and facilitating interfaith discussions and understanding
different cultures and their spiritual practices. Dr.
Manveen Saluja considers herself to be a much better
physician and human being since the presence of
spirituality and spiritual path of Divine Mother in her
life. She also acknowledges Dr. G. K. Kumar as her living
spiritual mentor and Divine Mother as the guiding force in
her life.
She has written several poems. She has given lectures on
interfaith topics and is a motivational speaker.
Dr. Manveen Saluja is a physician, a medical professor, a
poet, and a spiritual counselor. She is one of the Board
members at the Parashakthi Temple. She has donated large
number of funds to the Parashakthi Temple.
 Dr.
Thiru. A. N. K. Swamy
Thiru. A. N. K. Swamy or Nalla Kurunthappa Swamigal was
born on June 20th 1929. His birth was precisely calculated
by astrologers of that time. He learned astrology from age
5 through 9 as the last disciple of the twin brothers
Thiru. Mahalingam and Thiru. Amirthalingam. Since he was
the last and brilliant disciple, these renowned teachers
transferred all of their astrological prowess and acumen
to Thiru. A. N. K. Swamy. From age 9-15, he continued to
learn astrology under the expert guidance of Madurai
Panaiyur T. Nagalingam Pillai. In 1942, he was quite down
with illness and in the unconscious state he saw that he
is going to receive palm leaves with inscriptions about
astrological predictions with the blessing of goddess
Mother Meenakshi.
On one fine day, while he was walking towards the Madurai
Meenkakshi temple, he receives his palm leaves through an
unknown old person. Since it is written in ancient Tamil (Grandha
Tamil) he couldn’t decipher what’s written in it but he
worshipped it at his home and did poojai. In 1944, under
the kind order from his father, he started reading
astrology with Pothi and Veluchamy. He also learned
meditation and other mantras from them. In 1945, he
participated in his first astrological conference and he
was sought for many views and he clarified the details
whenever discussions among them were muddled.
Thiru. Swamy is also a great philanthropist. He donated a
major share of his earnings to the poor and needy and for
construction and renovation of the temples and marriage
halls. He also got his degree in Siddha Medicine at this
time.
In 1962 (at age 33), he came back to Ganappettai, which is
his native place and started practicing ‘naadi’ astrology
under the name ‘Meenakshi Naadi Jothidam’. It is named
after his favorite goddess, Mother Meenakshi which he
worships every full moon day at Madurai without fail. He
became a renowned ‘naadi astrologer” and his popularity
grew in T. Nadu and abroad. In 1966, he visited Malaysia
and Singapore and read ‘naadi’ for people over there.
At Sri Devi Karumari Amman temple in Pontiac, Michigan, he
performed the homa prior to ground breaking. In 2003, he
performed ritualistic poojai and got involved in
kumbabhishekam ceremonies and Navagraha installation.
 Peter
H. DeRidder, M.D., F.A.C.G., F.A.C.P.
Dr. Peter DeRidder was born and raised in Norway,
Michigan. He graduated from University of Michigan and
Wayne State University Medical School. He recently
medically retired from his practice of Gastroenterology at
William Beaumont Hospital. He has been a spiritual seeker
since childhood. He has been a member of the Board since
its inception and active in his support of the Temple with
dedicated service and monetary support. Dr. DeRidder has
had many visits to India in his quest for spiritual
knowledge. He has had many wonderful experiences on these
adventures. He has experienced Divine Mother's grace and
blessings at our Temple and wishes everyone obtain the
same through our Temple.
Dr. DeRidder is a Temple Benefactor. *
 Vernon
Johnson, J.D.
Mr. Johnson graduated from Kalamazoo College where he was
an All-American tennis player. He received his Juris
(Doctorate) Degree from the University of Detroit School
of Law in 1986. He was recently named a partner at Feiger,
Feiger, Kenney and Johnson, P.C., a nationally recognized
law firm. He is an ardent devotee of Parashakthi and has
donated substantial sums for Temple construction.
Mr. Johnson is a Temple Benefactor and Sustaining Life
Member. *
 Robert
Shaw, Ph. D.
Dr. Shaw is a practicing psychologist in the metro Detroit
area. He is married to Dr. Kristin Keskey, and was also
involved in the temple since it’s inception. Dr. Shaw and
Dr. Keskey have made several spiritual trips to India and
are ardent worshippers of The Divine Mother. Dr. Shaw is a
spiritual seeker and has great reverence for the Divine
Mother. He is a devotee who has felt Divine Mother’s and
Karthikeya’s grace.
Dr. Shaw is a Temple Benefactor and Sustaining Life
Member. *
 Leigh
Brewster Ph.D.
Dr. Brewster is a clinical psychologist, practicing in
West Bloomfield, MI.
She works with children, teens, adults, couples, and
families, specializing in post traumatic stress disorders
and addictions. She is a devotee of Divine Mother.
William Drolinger, J.D.
Mr. Drolinger graduated from Wayne State School of Law in
1952. He has a busy legal practice, and he is a
distinguished attorney, who has authored many books on
legal- financial aspects of law. Specializing in corporate
business law. He is Chairman President and Chief Executive
Officer of Holistic Centers, Inc., which involves special
schools and health centers to prevent and reverse
degenerative diseases. He is involved in many charitable
tax-exempt organizations.
 David
A. Zimmerman, G.M. Design
Mr. Zimmerman is an executive with General Motors. He
majored in Fine Arts at Indiana University. A life long
student of world religions, Mr. Zimmerman is also the
business manager and advisor to Clavegate College of
England and business manager of Baker Publications in
London.
He is also a life long student of metaphysics. Mr.
Zimmerman also teaches esoteric philosophy. He is a world
traveler and devotee of the Divine Mother.
 Chandrachoodan
Narayanan
- BSc – University of Kerala. Diploma in Occupational
Therapy
- Medical College – Nagpur. Diploma in Physical Medicine
and Rehabilitation
- All India Institute of Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation, Bombay.
- MS (OT) University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
- Chief Occupational Therapist, Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation – Medical College, Trivandrum, Kerala
- Teaching Assistant – University of Alberta, Edmontona,
Canada
- Senior O.T. – Windsor Western Hospital, Windsor,
Canada
- Chairperson – Allied Health Services, TISD, Caro,
Michigan
- Board Member – Community Health Center, Caro, Michigan
- Regional Manager (Midwest Region) – Rehabilitation
Management, Inc.
- President, OT - PT Association, Kerala.
- Member, MOTA, AOTA
- Treasurer, Kerala Club
- President, Kerala Club
- President, Kerala Hindu Association of Michigan
- Vice-President, Federation of Kerala Associations in
North America
- Very active in Temple activities
 DR.
K. Thavaraja M.D.
Dr. Thavaraja, was born in a village near Jaffna, Sri
Lanka. His family was very involved in Temple activities
in Sri Lanka and his father was a Trustee of the local
village Temple. After his medical education in Sri Lanka,
Dr. Thavaraja trained as a nephrologist and is an
attending physician specializing in kidney diseases at the
Oakwood Hospital system in Dearborn. He is married with
four children, of whom two are physicians and two are
lawyers. He is well known in the Sri Lankan Tamil
community and is a strong supporter and devotee of the
Parashakthi Temple.
Dr. Thavaraja has donated substantial sums and is Temple
Benefactor and Sustaining Life Member.*
 Hare
Krishna Patnaik
Mr. Patnaik has been in Detroit since 1976 and been
involved with Bharatiya Temple since 1986 in various
capacities starting from Janitorial/cleaning committee to
chairperson of bharatiya Temple in 1998. He was chairman
of education committee, audiovisual committee, Inventory
committee, Nomination committee, religious committee,
Board of trustees. He has been instrumental in bringing
Lord Jagannath to Bharatiya Temple and Parashakhti Temple
and started the RathaYatra in Detroit area since 1995.He
has been also involved in raising funds for the Orissa
Cyclone, Gujrat Earthquake and various other humanitarian
activities as eye camp and health camps in Adivasi
villages in Orissa. He also volunteers in cooking for the
needy at the Pontiac Soup kitchen. He has volunteered at
Habitat for Humanity in building house for the poor.
On the professional side he is a professional engineer and
runs a consulting company HP Microsystems in designing
electronics for the big three automotive companies for
future cars. He is married to Chinmayee and has two lovely
sons Gautam and Siddhartha. He is also involved in
professional organizations as ASEI, MMBDC.
 Frank
Stella
Entrepreneur, supporter of education, healthcare,
business, community and church leader are all terms that
could easily describe Frank D. Stella. He is Founder,
Chairman, and CEO of The F.D. Stella Products Company,
Detroit, designers and distributors of food service and
dining equipment. The company was founded in 1946, and
today leads a network of affiliates serving markets in
Michigan and throughout the US. Frank is also Chairman and
CEO of Stella International, New York, a consulting, joint
venture and importing firm, and a member of the Board of
Directors of Metropolitan Realty Corp. An alumnus of the
University of Detroit College of Commerce and Finance,
Frank has devoted his life to the betterment of others.
His biography reads like an encyclopedia of achievements,
awards and honors earned in serving the greater good.
Mr. Stella has served as a Board Member for many medical
and educational institutions including the University of
Detroit / Mercy, Wayne Community College Foundation, Mt.
Carmel Mercy Hospital, Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center,
Detroit Round Table, Detroit Urban League, Rehabilitation
Institute Center for Independent Living, Vice Chairman of
the Community Foundation of Southeastern Michigan and Vice
Chairman of Grace Hospital, Detroit.
Frank has held seats on the boards of numerous civic,
business and educational organizations and received
numerous awards and honors for his commitment and
dedication. His political achievements include numerous
awards within the National Republican Committee, Michigan
Finance Republican Committee, national Republican Heritage
Groups Council and national, state and local Republican
Committees as well as being an appointee of four
Presidents, Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and Bush as well as
Governors William Milliken, James J. Blanchard, and John
M. Engler, and Mayor Coleman A. Young.
Business organizations benefiting from Frank's involvement
include the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis,
Chairman of Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce, Michigan
Chamber of Commerce, New Detroit, Inc., Economic Alliance
for Michigan, The Economic Growth Corporation, Economic
Club of Detroit, Chairman of the City of Detroit Income
Tax Board of Review, National Shrine of the Immaculate
Conception, Chairman of The National Italian American
Foundation of Washington, DC, Chairman of Save orchestra
Hall and Board Member and Vice Chairman of Detroit
Symphony Orchestra hall, and Michigan Opera Theatre.
He was decorated by the Government of Italy three times
and received its highest decoration "Grande Ufficiale",
and was awarded a doctorate in business by the Gentium
Pacem University in Rome and Clearly College, was awarded
the seal of the University of Bologna by its Rector,
member of the Board of Advisors of John Hopkins University
Bologna Center, and Board Gregorian University of Rome
Foundation. Selected by Detroit, Michigan as Michiganian
of the Year 1997. The 1995 recipient of the George W.
Romney Award for Lifetime Achievement in Volunteerism -
because of his exceptional philanthropic leadership.
Knights of Charity Award by PIME Missionaries U.S.A for
person to person charities, October 1997, Awarded
Executive of the Year by the Detroit Executive
Association, November 1998. Received the State of Israel
Bonds -State of Israel Independence Issue Award Temple
Beth El, West Bloomfield, MI, and October 1998. He was
drafted as a private in World War II, and was honorably
discharged as a Major in the Army Air Force. He is listed
in Who's Who in America the World and in the Midwest, Men
of Achievements, Community Leaders of America and the
Michigan Social Register.
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