Future Plans
In furtherance of Sastry's vision, Devipuram has ambitious plans to become a "global resource for goddess worship."
In 2005, news reports noted that a spiritual retreat would be developed at Devipuram. Called Manidweepam ("Isle of Jewels," a name for the Mother Goddess's heavenly abode in Hindu scripture), the retreat "will contain 51 shakti peethas corresponding to the form of Devi's body, all within an area of 2.5 lakh square feet." The retreat is slated for completion by 2010, and its "design includes centers of learning for spiritual arts and sciences, performance theaters and boarding/lodging facilities, all set in an enchanting array of gardens and groves. The first phase of the construction of Manidweepam is already underway in the form of 'Srivilla,' a beautiful residential complex."
In 2006, Sastry installed a longtime disciple, Subbarao Kompella (also known as "Karunamaya Baba"), as the new head of Devipuram, in charge of the temple's day-to-day affairs; however, Sastry remains at the center of Devipuram's spiritual life. A souvenir booklet produced by Devipuram for the temple's 2007 re-consecration stated: "Known worldwide for his spiritual energy and ability to synergize people from diverse backgrounds to flow in sync with the Goddess's shakti, Karunamaya Baba has personally taken on the challenge of bringing Guruji's vision of Devipuram to fruition."
Read more about this topic: Devipuram
Famous quotes containing the words future and/or plans:
“Perhaps if the future existed, concretely and individually, as something that could be discerned by a better brain, the past would not be so seductive: its demands would be balanced by those of the future. Persons might then straddle the middle stretch of the seesaw when considering this or that object. It might be fun.”
—Vladimir Nabokov (1899–1977)
“Man you ought to see his plans for allsteel buildins. He’s got an idea the skyscraper of the future’ll be built of steel and glass. We’ve been experimenting with vitrous tile recently... crist-amighty some of his plans would knock you out... He’s got a great sayin about some Roman emperor who found Rome of brick and left it of marble. Well he says he’s found New York of brick an that he’s goin to leave it of steel... steel an glass.”
—John Dos Passos (1896–1970)