For kids & families
Namaste! A temple can feel very big — lots of bells, lamps, songs and shoes by the door. This page explains what all of it means, in plain words.
You do not have to remember everything. Pick one thing you like, and ask a grown-up or a priest about it the next time you visit.
Six big ideas
Tap a card to read a little more.
A guide to our temple
These are real photos of our temple in Peoria. Start outside, then follow the stops in order — the same way you would walk it on a visit.
Our temple on the hill in Peoria, with its tall pointed towers. Each tower sits above a deity inside.
Try this: Look up and count the towers before you go in. Then take off your shoes at the door.
The doorway that leads into the big hall. It is quiet here, and a little cooler.
Try this: Put your palms together and say Namaste. Walk, don't run — this is a calm place.
The open hall where everyone sits on the floor for pooja, music and talks.
Try this: Find a spot on the floor. If a priest is chanting, listen for words you know, like Om.
The row of shrines. Each deity has their own little home, with a lamp burning in front.
Try this: Walk slowly from one shrine to the next, left to right, and say hello to each one.
Krishna with his flute, standing beside Radha, dressed in fresh silks and flowers.
Try this: Look for the flute in his hands. Volunteers change these clothes and flowers often.
Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman standing together — a whole story in one shrine.
Try this: See who is smallest? That is Hanuman, kneeling. Ask a grown-up to tell you why.
The Jain teacher Mahavir, seated and completely still, sharing our temple.
Try this: Sit as still as he is for ten seconds. That stillness is what he taught.
Smaller Utsava Moorthis. These are the ones carried outside during festivals.
Try this: Come back at Brahmothsavam in October and watch them ride in the procession.
Who lives in our sanctum
Hindus say God is one light shining through many forms. These are the forms in our temple.
also called Ganesha, Vinayaka
The elephant-headed helper who clears problems out of the way.
Families say a prayer to Ganesha before starting anything new — a school year, a trip, even a new notebook. He loves sweets called laddu, and his little mouse friend goes everywhere with him.
also called Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman
Rama's family — the story of keeping your promises.
Rama gave up a kingdom rather than break his word. Hanuman, the strong monkey helper, crossed an ocean to help him. Their story, the Ramayana, is why lamps are lit at Diwali.
also called Shiva, Parvati
Shiva's family. Shiva teaches calm, and change.
Shiva sits still and quiet in the mountains, and also dances the whole universe along. The smooth stone Shivalinga is bathed with milk and water — that pouring is called abhisheka.
also called Krishna and Radha
Krishna the flute player, full of music and mischief.
As a baby he stole butter; as a friend he gave the world the Bhagavad Gita, a talk about being brave and doing your duty. Radha's love for him is a picture of loving God with your whole heart.
The brave mother goddess who rides a lion.
When nobody else could stop a great trouble, Durga did. During Navaratri — nine nights of dancing and singing — families celebrate her courage.
also called Balaji
A much-loved form of Vishnu, the protector.
Vishnu comes back again and again whenever the world needs help — as a fish, a turtle, Rama, Krishna. Venkateshwara stands still and steady, welcoming everyone who comes.
The goddess of good things: food, kindness and plenty.
She sits on a lotus, the flower that grows clean and bright out of muddy water. At Diwali, homes are cleaned and lamps are lit to welcome her.
A teacher who taught service, honesty and simple living.
Followers of Swaminarayan are known for helping people — cooking, cleaning and serving at temples, exactly the way volunteers keep this temple running.
The great Jain teacher of never harming anyone.
Mahavir taught ahimsa so carefully that his followers watch every step so as not to hurt even a tiny insect. He shares our temple, because kindness belongs to everyone.
Festivals
Ganesha's birthday. At our temple the Ganeshas are made from clay and return to clay.
Kids can: Help shape a clay Ganesha, sing along at the Samoohika Vinayaka Pooja, and eat a Ganesha laddu.
Nine nights for the goddess, and the temple's biggest yearly celebration.
Kids can: Dance, watch the procession, and eat with everyone in the hall.
The festival of lights — Rama coming home, and light winning over dark.
Kids can: Light lamps, wear new clothes, share sweets, and say sorry to anyone you fought with.
Spring, colors, and forgiving each other.
Kids can: Throw colored powder, laugh a lot, and start fresh.
A night of staying up to sing for Shiva.
Kids can: Watch the abhisheka — milk, water and honey poured over the Shivalinga.
The birthdays of Rama and Krishna.
Kids can: Hear the stories, rock the baby Krishna's cradle, and share prasadam.
Temple manners
Leave them on the shelf. Socks are fine — the floor gets chilly.
People are praying. Whisper, walk slowly, and no running in the hall.
Stand in front, put your palms together, and say a quiet thank-you or wish.
The bell wakes everyone up to pay attention. Ring it once, gently, if a grown-up says it's okay.
When the lamp comes to you, hold your palms over the warmth and touch your head.
Take it with your right hand, and finish it — it is blessed food, not a snack to drop.
Some places in the temple are not for pictures. Just ask first.
Kids can hand out plates, tidy shoes or set flowers. That is seva.
Word list
Namaste
say: nuh-MUS-tay
Hello, with respect — palms together.
Murti / Moorthi
say: MOOR-tee
The sacred form of a deity in the temple.
Darshan
say: DUR-shun
Standing before the deity and seeing, and being seen.
Pooja
say: POO-ja
A prayer ceremony with lamps, flowers and songs.
Aarti
say: AAR-tee
Waving a lamp in circles at the end of a pooja.
Prasadam
say: pruh-SAA-dum
Blessed food shared with everyone after prayers.
Abhisheka
say: uh-bhi-SHAY-ka
Bathing the deity with milk, water and honey.
Mandir
say: MUN-deer
Temple — a house for God.
Bhajan
say: BUH-jun
A song sung to God, usually together.
Om
say: aum
The oldest sound — hummed at the start of prayers.
Guru
say: GOO-roo
A teacher who shows you the way.
Seva
say: SAY-va
Helping out without wanting anything back.
Quiz
You got 0 of 5 right so far.
1. What does Namaste mean?
2. Which deity is asked first before starting something new?
3. Prasadam is…
4. Karma is most like…
5. Ahimsa means…
Try at home
Children are welcome at every program. Families can visit for darshan on weekends, join a festival, or help out together — the temple is run entirely by volunteers, and kids make wonderful helpers.