Temple Etiquette

Temple Etiquette & Guidelines

Sringeri Vidya BharatiFoundation(SVBF) follows the traditional and authentic practice of Vedic culture and principles (Sanatana Dharma) to preserve the peace and sanctity of the Temple which are essential for a conducive environment for worship and prayers. Accordingly, SVBF requests your cooperation in observing the following guidelines when you are visiting the Temple. Please remember this is your Temple and our intent is to ensure everyone has a peaceful experience during his or her visit.

COVID Protocols

Please wear face masks at all times inside the temple. Hand sanitize at the lobby when you enter and exit
Please maintain safe distancing protocol inside the Temple Hall at all times.
Please avoid visit if you have recently been diagonsed positive unless you have quarantined yourself as per CDC guidelines

Attire

Please note that the Temple is a sacred place of worship and use your discretion to dress accordingly.
No shorts/short skirts inside the temple Hall. Please help with a Dhoti available in the Coat room if you need one & return it
No footwear is allowed inside the Temple Hall. Use the Coat Rooms on either side to keep your footwear and winter jackets

Offering

You may bring only flowers, fruits as offering. Please avoid carrying plastic shopping bags inside Temple Hall.

Please use the trays provided at the lobby to carry fruits inside the Temple Hall. Remove all seal/label stickers from the fruits.

No cooked food or sweets from outside accepted as offering.

No milk or milk products (ghee, yogurt etc) accepted as offering.

Main Temple Hall

Please turn off your cell phone or beeper or switch them to vibrate mode before entering Main Temple Hall.
Please No photography/video capture using camera or mobile phones inside the Temple Hall.
Please remain silent during the pooja. Carry out all general conversations outside of the Main Temple Hall.
Please make or receive any telephone calls outside of the Main Temple Hall.
Please restrain your children from running around or making noise in the Main Temple Hall.
We suggest that the children be engaged in prayer or another quiet activity while in the Main Temple Hall.
If you have to leave during the pooja, please do so quietly without causing any disturbance to other devotees.
Please do not touch or lean over the Deities. Please do not step on to the altar/mandapam.
Please do not stand in the front during the pooja when others are sitting behind you.
Please do not sit stretching your legs towards the Deities.
Please receive prasadam and other offerings in an orderly way with social distancing following the pooja.

Cleanliness

Please help us maintain the Temple and the surroundings clean at all times.
Please do not change children’s diapers in the Main Temple Hall. Use Men’s Room or Mother’s lounge in the Hallway
Please do not leave any trash behind in the Temple surroundings; drop off any in the trash cans.

Food and Drinks

Food and Drinks are not allowed in the Main Temple Hall. Please feed children outside the Main Temple Hall.
Alcohol, smoking and non-vegetarian food strictly not allowed anywhere in the Temple property.
Please do not eat prasadam in the Main Temple Hall.

SVBF offers these guidelines to provide an environment of devotion and sanctity for all the devotees. We need your cooperation in maintaining these traditions as much as possible. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation. If you have any questions or comments on these guidelines, please contact Front Office.

Devotees are advised to take care of their children and their belongings while at the temple. SVBF is not responsible for any loss, damage, accidents or other unforeseen circumstances encountered by the visitors while at the premises.

Temple Etiquette & Guidelines

COVID Protocols

Please wear face masks at all times inside the temple. Hand sanitize at the lobby when you enter and exit

Please maintain safe distancing protocol inside the Temple Hall at all times.

Please avoid visit if you have recently been diagonsed positive unless you have quarantined yourself as per CDC guidelines

Attire

Please note that the Temple is a sacred place of worship and use your discretion to dress accordingly.

No shorts/short skirts inside the temple Hall. Please help with a Dhoti available in the Coat room if you need one & return it

No footwear is allowed inside the Temple Hall. Use the Coat Rooms on either side to keep your footwear and winter jackets

Offering

You may bring only flowers, fruits as offering. Please avoid carrying plastic shopping bags inside Temple Hall.

Please use the trays provided at the lobby to carry fruits inside the Temple Hall. Remove all seal/label stickers from the fruits.

No cooked food or sweets from outside accepted as offering.

No milk or milk products (ghee, yogurt etc) accepted as offering.

Main Temple Hall

Please turn off your cell phone or beeper or switch them to vibrate mode before entering Main Temple Hall.

Please No photography/video capture using camera or mobile phones inside the Temple Hall.

Please remain silent during the pooja. Carry out all general conversations outside of the Main Temple Hall.

Please make or receive any telephone calls outside of the Main Temple Hall.

Please restrain your children from running around or making noise in the Main Temple Hall.

We suggest that the children be engaged in prayer or another quiet activity while in the Main Temple Hall.

If you have to leave during the pooja, please do so quietly without causing any disturbance to other devotees.

Please do not touch or lean over the Deities. Please do not step on to the altar/mandapam.

Please do not stand in the front during the pooja when others are sitting behind you.

Please do not sit stretching your legs towards the Deities.

Please receive prasadam and other offerings in an orderly way with social distancing following the pooja.

Cleanliness

Please help us maintain the Temple and the surroundings clean at all times.

Please do not change children’s diapers in the Main Temple Hall. Use Men’s Room or Mother’s lounge in the Hallway

Please do not leave any trash behind in the Temple surroundings; drop off any in the trash cans.

Food and Drinks

Food and Drinks are not allowed in the Main Temple Hall. Please feed children outside the Main Temple Hall.

Alcohol, smoking and non-vegetarian food strictly not allowed anywhere in the Temple property.

Please do not eat prasadam in the Main Temple Hall.

Devotees are advised to take care of their children and their belongings while at the temple. SVBF is not responsible for any loss, damage, accidents or other unforeseen circumstances encountered by the visitors while at the premises.