Atlanta: California based tantric scholar and healer Dr. Commander Selvam is all set to build a unique Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Siva and a community center at a very prime locality in Atlanta. According to the temple project this will be a unique temple in the world to house 108 Siva idols in different forms as described in the Siva astottara satanamastotram, besides other Hindu deities. Dr. Commander Selvam popularly known as swami to his devotees told this reporter that this temple will be the first in the US to have the idols of planets Guru (Jupiter) and Sani (Saturn). Swami desires to make this unique temple in Atlanta, an ultimate destination of pilgrimage for all Hindus who visit America to see their kith and kin spread all over the country.

Dr. Commander Selvam envisioned the idea of this temple and formed a non profit organization called “The Hindu temple of Georgia” and acquired 10 acres of land with a 45, 000 square foot church that stands on property from Christ fellowship of Atlanta located at 5900 Brook Hollow parkway, Norcross, GA 30071. Ramki Srinivasan, joint president of PSI data systems is the secretary of this temple. The project is estimated to cost $20 million of which Dr. Selvam donated $5 million and bought the property. Swami plans to mobilize the balance amount through his several devotees spread over many countries. Swami plans to make the existing 45, 000 square foot church facility as a community center and to let out the auditorium and few suites for commercial offices so that to make the temple self sustain financially. This community facility will be thrown open for the use of community in a couple of months and then temple construction work will be taken up.

The 37-year-old swami was here in Atlanta for the last one-week meeting the cross section of the community explaining the salient features of this temple. He was busy all day long discussing with architects, structural engineers and designers in several sessions at the facility. What is unique about this Swami is that he walks and talks like USA born children of Indian immigrants. His straight talk is simply amazing to first generation Indians. However, he certainly could mesmerize the younger generation! Like any businessman, his strength is his success story for himself and for others. To day he has more followers in USA. By definition a Sanyasi renounces material possessions. However, Dr. Selvam argues, how could a person struggling to make his end meet offer guidance to million-dollar debacle? All the Swamijis, arriving to USA like migratory birds and offer solutions to your problems are more interested in making money for themselves (may be in the name of their favorite charity). If they could solve your problem in USA, why they don’t solve problems in India? Why do they come here? He asked.