We request devotees and visitors to follow the following etiquette while visiting the temple premises.
Temple Etiquette:
Tri-State Hindu Temple is a place of worship. We follow the Sanatan Dharma (Indian Vedic traditions practiced for over 2000 years) to preserve the aura of peace and sanctity of our Temple, which is conducive to worship and prayers. Keeping those Vedic traditions in mind, Tri-State Hindu Temple requests your cooperation in following certain 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.
The main temple building, Garbhagriha, and other Shrines:
- The main temple hall is where regular poojas and rituals are conducted daily. We request devotees follow these guidelines while participating in poojas and rituals.
- Please remain silent as soon as you enter the Main temple hall.
- Please do not enter the Garbhagriha (Sanctum Sanctorum) or other shrines.
- Only Priests are allowed to enter the garbhagriha (Sanctum Santorum) and other shrines. The Sanctum and other shrines were purified during the Kumbhabhishekam and will be maintained with the same sanctity.
- Please do not touch the deities or lean over into the shrines. We would appreciate it if you did not step beyond the Dwarapalakas (and not past the steps where there are no Dwarapalakas) of the garbhagriha.
- Please do not block the central aisle of the main mandir hall.
Pooja and other rituals:
- Please restrain your children from running around inside the main mandir or around the Sanctum Sanctorum. We suggest you bring some coloring paper and crayons so that they remain silent during the pooja, or you may take the children to the play area or the other hall and engage them in some activity with adult supervision.
- Please switch your cell phones and beepers to vibration mode as soon as you enter the main hall of the Temple especially when there is pooja being performed.
- All poojas and rituals follow certain set procedures as per Vedic traditions. If you have any questions, please wait till the end of the event, and then ask the coordinator or Priests for clarifications.
- Please remain silent during the pooja and other rituals. Please be sensitive to those around you who may be praying quietly.
- While a pooja is going on in front of one of the shrines or the garbhagriha with worshippers sitting/trying to listen, we request that you refrain from ringing the bells or lifting your children to do so.
- We request that you ring the bells, blow conches, and play other instruments only during the Maha Mangala Aarathi or as suggested by the priests.
- All conversations and greetings can be exchanged either outside or in the dining hall. Even then, please keep your voice low.
- If you must leave in the middle of a pooja, please do so quietly without causing any disturbance to other devotees.
- Bhajans are sung at every pooja event. You are welcome to sing your favorite bhajan, a classical or a devotional song. Please encourage your children to participate in bhajans.
Pradakshina Procedures:
- While doing pradakshina of the garbhagrihas (sanctum sanctorum) please always go around clockwise, starting at the left side of the sanctum and complete on the right side and coming to the front of the Lord.
- Please do not do pradakshina during a pooja ritual.
- Please do not allow children to run around the garbhagrihas or shrines during the pradakshina.
Prasadam and Offerings:
- You can bring fresh fruits and flowers to offer during the pooja. Please wash the fruits before putting it in front of the altar.
- You can bring flower garlands for the poojas.
- Please clean the kitchen area and utensils used.
- Please DO NOT eat the prasadam in the main hall where pooja is performed.
- We request devotees to volunteer with the food preparation for lunch and dinner offered to devotees after festivals and poojas.
Attire:
- Wearing shorts (for anyone over 12 years of age) is not advisable.
- No shoes are allowed inside the temple building. Please leave all footwear in the designated area.
Sponsorships/Donations:
- Tri-State Hindu Temple Sponsor items include poojas, special events, Pradhan Sponsor, Food, Flowers, Silver articles, Deity clothing, Deity jewelry etc. and various other services.
- Please always put all your cash or check donations in Hundi.
Food and Drinks:
- Food and drinks are not allowed in the main hall of the Temple.
- Drugs, Alcohol, and smoking are not allowed anywhere in the Temple complex and surrounding areas.
- If your child is eating/carrying a food item, please make sure you stay outside the main hall until they finish his/her food item, before entering the main hall.
- Please do not eat the prasadam in the main hall. You are welcome to eat prasadam in the dining hall.
Cleanliness:
- Please help us maintain the cleanliness of the Tri-State Hindu Temple premises.
- If you bring flowers or fruits, please unwrap, and discard the plastic bag in the dustbin. Please do not leave them on the steps of the Sanctum Santorum.
- Put trash only in the trash can with a liner. Change the liner when full.
- Please help volunteers spread the comforters and fold them after the pooja.
- Chairs are available for people who can’t sit on the floor. Please put the comforters and chairs back in the designated area before leaving the main temple hall.
Final Note:
Tri-State Hindu Temple offers these suggestions 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 one of the Executive committee members.