Temple Etiquette & Guidelines
Sringeri Vidya Bharati Foundation (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.
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.
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 diagnosed positive unless you have quarantined yourself as per CDC guidelines