Help Transform a Historic Church into The Bhakti House — A Sanctuary for Bhakti, Music, Meditation & Spiritual Community in Jackson, Michigan
My name is Chandra, and I’m raising funds to purchase and restore a small historic church in Jackson, Michigan, and transform it into The Bhakti House — a spiritual sanctuary devoted to bhakti, the yoga of love, devotion, sacred sound, and heartfelt community.
For years, I’ve felt called to create a space where people can gather for:
- mantra meditation
- kirtan (devotional music)
- mindful yoga
- vegetarian prasadam
- spiritual connection
- community support
- A space where seekers can come as they are, and leave more connected.
Why Bhakti? Why Jackson?
Bhakti is the path of love — expressed through music, meditation, sacred sound, devotion, and service. It’s a timeless practice that anyone can experience, regardless of background or belief.
Here in Jackson, we don’t have a place where people can gather for these heart-centered spiritual practices. Last year I began hosting a weekly Bhakti Yoga Mela at Rod Mills Park — a joyful, come-as-you-are kirtan gathering. People from all walks of life joined in: families, yoga practitioners, spiritual seekers, musicians, and community members simply looking for peace.
The response was overwhelming:
“This is healing.”
“I needed this.”
“Please keep doing this.”
“Jackson has nothing like this.”
But Michigan’s long winters forced us to stop. The cold makes outdoor gatherings impossible. The Bhakti House would change that — giving us a year-round spiritual home.
️ What The Bhakti House Will Be
The Bhakti House will be a warm, welcoming sanctuary offering:
- Weekly kirtan gatherings
- Meditation & mantra circles
- Bhakti yoga and spiritual workshops
- Free vegetarian meals (prasadam)
- Community outreach & support
- Daily devotional practices
- A peaceful environment for reflection
- Accommodations for visiting teachers/practitioners
As a Yoga Alliance–certified RYT-500 and ERYT-200 teacher specializing in Bhakti Yoga, my goal is to create a space where anyone can experience the power of sacred sound, devotion, inner stillness, and spiritual connection.
This will be a small, heart-centered spiritual nonprofit — not a large institution — dedicated to fostering compassion, devotion, and community through the path of bhakti.
A Sanctuary in the Old Sense of the Word
I want this to be the kind of spiritual destination that people used to have in every town — a building where the doors are open, where anyone can walk in for prayer, peace, meditation, or someone to talk to. A safe space where the heart can breathe again.
The Bhakti House will be that place.
️ What We’re Raising Funds For
We are seeking $125,000 to cover:
- ️ Property purchase & closing costs
- ️ Required parking lot upgrades
- Shower installation for visiting practitioners
- Flooring, painting & essential interior improvements
- Safety updates & general repairs
- Equipment for kirtan & meditation (sound system, harmonium, altar space)
- Kitchen setup for prasadam distribution & Sunday community meals
- Legal fees, permits, inspections, and the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application
Every contribution helps transform this building into a home for spiritual connection and compassionate community service.
Donation Options
$18 — Supplies for prasadam meals
$36 — Meditation & kirtan materials
$54 — Supports sanctuary restoration
$108 — Contributes to devotional gathering spaces
$251 — Helps furnish the kirtan/yoga hall
$501 — Kitchen equipment for community meals
$1,008 — Sponsor a room or sacred area
$5,001 — Become a founding supporter (optional recognition)
A Heartfelt Thank You
Your donation — of any amount — helps create a spiritual home for Jackson.
A place of sacred sound, meditation, devotion, nourishment, and community.
A place where people can heal, grow, connect, and experience the joy of bhakti.
Thank you for helping make this vision a reality.
With love & gratitude,
Chandra
