Humbly seeking guidance...

[Jainarayan]

There is a Hindu temple in my city, but it appears to be Vaishnava.

That's OK, even if Mother Lakshmi or Mother Saraswati is the presiding deity of the temple, she is a form of Devi, another face of Maa. Sri Swami Sivananda wrote that when one goes to a Vishnu temple, one does not snub Shiva; conversely when one goes to a Shiva temple one does not snub Vishnu. That is to say, they are all equal forms of God. It's only us humans (we humans to be grammatically correct but pretentious ) that see one thing in different ways, or put one above/below the other.

 

[Jainarayan]

Problems do go away by calm thinking and by the grace of deities

True, it does take work on our part too.

 

[von bek]

That's OK, even if Mother Lakshmi or Mother Saraswati is the presiding deity of the temple, she is a form of Devi, another face of Maa. Sri Swami Sivananda wrote that when one goes to a Vishnu temple, one does not snub Shiva; conversely when one goes to a Shiva temple one does not snub Vishnu. That is to say, they are all equal forms of God. It's only us humans (we humans to be grammatically correct but pretentious ) that see one thing in different ways, or put one above/below the other.

Another thing I have considered comes as inspiration from the Devi Mahatmya. When Durga Devi prepares for war with the asura Mahishasura, she calls forth Her Shakti from the devas. Out of Vishnu comes Vaishnavi. (Picture a female Vishnu, that is Her.) Anyway, I figure that when I stand before an image of Vishnu, I can silently offer up a mantra or a prayer to Vaishnavi. Plus, as you say, a Vaishnava temple will have Lakshmi present. I regard Lakshmi as fully Mahadevi, same as Kali, same as Saraswati. (Among other devi.)

 

[Peter108]

While I am far from the most qualified to answer, I think it is perfectly fine to have a picture of Maa Kali on your altar.

Well, it's more about how to explain your kid or guests the gory details. Anyhow, I'll consider.

 

[von bek]

Well, it's more about how to explain your kid or guests the gory details. Anyhow, I'll consider.

Gotcha. Perhaps you could simply relocate your Kali picture to a more private spot when needed? Let Kali know that you are doing so to prevent others from causing Her offense. Just a thought.

 

[Jainarayan]

Another thing I have considered comes as inspiration from the Devi Mahatmya. When Durga Devi prepares for war with the asura Mahishasura, she calls forth Her Shakti from the devas. Out of Vishnu comes Vaishnavi. (Picture a female Vishnu, that is Her.) Anyway, I figure that when I stand before an image of Vishnu, I can silently offer up a mantra or a prayer to Vaishnavi. Plus, as you say, a Vaishnava temple will have Lakshmi present. I regard Lakshmi as fully Mahadevi, same as Kali, same as Saraswati. (Among other devi.)

You got it!

 

[Aupmanyav]

von beck, you got it. Same with Parvati. Mother Parvati, so to say, is closest to Durga. That is why Gods asked Shiva to lie down in the path of Mother Kali when she was enraged. No other God could have stopped Kali.

Shiva at Kali's feet - Google Search

 

[von bek]

@Jainarayan

I was wrong in my earlier post about Durga calling Her shakti out of the devas while preparing for war with Mahishasura, it wasn't him, it was the asura Shumba.

Mahishasura faces the Navdurga, Shumba faces the Matrikas.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Shumbha and his brother Nishshumbha. I do not know the particular story other than Mother Durga killing them.

 

[von bek]

Shumbha and his brother Nishshumbha. I do not know the particular story other than Mother Durga killing them.

The Matrikas eradicate the armies of Shumba and Nishumba.

 

[DeviChaaya]

The Matrikas eradicate the armies of Shumba and Nishumba.

The Matrikas are forms of Durga Ma, therefore it is Durga Ma who is the prime mover. She directs all those beneath Her and fills them with Her power and grace so that they may defeat evil. Filled with Durga Ma's power and grace they are non-different from Her and so each one is Her.

 

[von bek]

The Matrikas are forms of Durga Ma, therefore it is Durga Ma who is the prime mover. She directs all those beneath Her and fills them with Her power and grace so that they may defeat evil. Filled with Durga Ma's power and grace they are non-different from Her and so each one is Her.

Yes. I love it when (I believe Nishumba) tells Durga to fight him one-on-one and She says that She is the only one there.

*ETA: I double-checked, Nishumba dies first, so it is Shumba who asks Durga to face him "alone".

 

[Aupmanyav]

Nishshumbha was the younger brother of Shumbha, so he goes first. Same with Ravana and Kumbhakarna.