Respecting Our Sacred Space, Traditions & Fellow Devotees

India Cultural Center and Temple welcomes people of all backgrounds.

A Hindu Temple is a sacred place of worship, prayer, meditation, and spiritual reflection. We respectfully ask all visitors to observe Temple traditions and the guidelines below so that everyone may experience Darshan, worship, and reflection in a peaceful, clean, respectful, and spiritually uplifting environment.

Thank you for helping us preserve the sanctity and traditions of the Temple.

Dress Code for Temple Visit & Darshan

Visitors are requested to wear modest, conservative, and respectful clothing appropriate for a sacred place of worship.

Appropriate Attire

Examples include:

• Traditional Indian clothing
• Full-length pants or trousers with a shirt, blouse, polo, or modest top
• Long dresses or skirts with appropriate coverage
• Other modest clothing suitable for a sacred place of worship

Please Avoid

• Very short shorts or skirts
• Crop tops or clothing exposing the midriff
• Deep-cut or excessively revealing clothing
• See-through clothing
• Clothing displaying offensive, disrespectful, or inappropriate words or images
• Clothing otherwise unsuitable for a sacred place of worship

We respectfully ask all visitors to use good judgment and dress appropriately for the Temple environment.

Dress Code for Pooja Sponsors & Religious Ceremonies

Devotees participating directly as sponsors, Yajamanas, or participants in certain religious ceremonies may be requested to wear traditional Hindu attire appropriate to the ceremony.

• Men: Dhoti/Veshti, Kurta, Uttareeyam, or other traditional attire appropriate to the ceremony.
• Women: Saree, Half-saree, Salwar Kameez, or other traditional attire appropriate to the ceremony.

Specific requirements may apply for certain Homams, Yagnams, Abhishekams, Vrathams, Kalyanams, or special Poojas.

Please contact the Temple office or priest in advance if you have questions regarding attire for a particular ceremony.

Footwear

Shoes and other outdoor footwear must be removed before entering designated Temple worship areas.

Please place footwear only in designated shoe racks.

For cleanliness and safety, please do not leave footwear in entrances, hallways, walkways, or emergency exits.

Personal Cleanliness

Visitors are encouraged to come to the Temple in clean clothing and maintain appropriate personal hygiene.

Please help us maintain a clean and respectful environment throughout the Temple.

Pets & Animals

Pets Are Not Permitted Inside Temple Buildings

To preserve the sanctity, cleanliness, safety, and religious practices of the Temple, pets and other animals are not permitted inside Temple buildings or designated worship areas.

Please make appropriate arrangements for pets before visiting the Temple.

For service animals or disability-related accommodation questions, please contact ICCT management.

Maintain a Peaceful & Prayerful Atmosphere

Silence and peaceful conduct help preserve the spiritual atmosphere of the Temple.

Please:

• Speak softly inside worship areas.
• Avoid unnecessary conversations during Poojas and ceremonies.
• Allow others to pray and meditate peacefully.
• Refrain from disruptive behavior.
• Follow instructions from priests, staff, and volunteers.

Mobile Phones & Electronic Devices

Please place mobile phones and electronic devices on silent mode before entering worship areas.

Phone conversations should be taken outside the Temple whenever possible.

Please avoid unnecessary phone use during:

• Aarti
• Pooja
• Abhishekam
• Homam
• Yagnam
• Religious discourses
• Meditation
• Special ceremonies

Photography & Video

Photography, videography, livestreaming, and recording may be restricted inside Temple worship areas.

Please follow posted signs and instructions from priests, staff, or volunteers.

Photography or video of certain Deities, rituals, ceremonies, private functions, or restricted areas may require prior authorization.

Commercial or professional photography and video recording require prior approval from ICCT management.

Darshan & Worship

Please respect Temple traditions and follow guidance from priests, staff, and volunteers.

Visitors are requested to:

• Wait patiently for Darshan.
• Follow designated queues during busy events.
• Avoid blocking entrances and walkways.
• Avoid touching Deities, sacred objects, lamps, decorations, or ritual items unless permitted.
• Enter restricted religious areas only when invited or authorized.
• Respect ceremonies already in progress.

Additional procedures may be implemented during major festivals and special events.

Hindu Customs & Traditions

Devotees are welcome to observe traditional Temple customs such as:

• Applying Tilak
• Participating in Aarti
• Receiving Theertham
• Receiving Prasadam
• Offering prayers according to their traditions

Visitors unfamiliar with Hindu Temple customs are welcome to respectfully ask a priest, staff member, or volunteer for guidance.

Food & Prasadam

ICCT maintains a vegetarian environment consistent with Temple traditions.

Non-vegetarian food is not permitted on ICCT premises.

Please:

• Consume food and Prasadam only in designated areas.
• Dispose of plates, cups, napkins, and utensils in proper waste containers.
• Do not bring food or drinks into designated worship areas unless permitted as part of a religious offering.
• Please do not waste Prasadam or Annadanam food.
• Follow Temple instructions during festivals and large community meals.

Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs & Intoxicants

The following are prohibited throughout ICCT premises:

• Alcohol
• Illegal drugs
• Smoking
• Vaping
• Tobacco products
• Other intoxicating substances

Individuals whose behavior threatens safety, disrupts worship, or interferes with the orderly operation of the Temple may be asked to leave.

Weapons & Firearms

Weapons and firearms are prohibited inside ICCT Temple buildings and other areas designated or posted as weapons-free. Visitors must comply with all posted notices and applicable law. Law-enforcement officers acting in their official capacity and other persons specifically exempted by law are excluded where applicable.

Children & Families

Children and families are always welcome at ICCT.

Parents and guardians are responsible for appropriately supervising children while on Temple premises.

Please ensure children:

• Do not run inside worship areas.
• Do not climb on religious structures, displays, furniture, or decorations.
• Do not touch sacred objects without permission.
• Do not disturb ongoing Poojas or ceremonies.
• Remain appropriately supervised in parking lots and outdoor areas.

Parents or guardians may be responsible for damage caused by children under their supervision.

Restricted Areas, Pushkarini & Lake Safety

For the safety of all visitors and to preserve the sanctity of Temple facilities, please do not enter any restricted or authorized-access-only areas, including the Sanctum Sanctorum, Artha Mandapams, Temple offices, kitchen/food-preparation areas, and restricted portions of the Annadanam building, unless specifically invited or authorized by a priest, staff member, or ICCT management. Devotees must not enter the Sanctum Sanctorum, touch the Deities, sacred objects, ritual equipment, or other items within restricted worship areas unless expressly permitted as part of an authorized religious ceremony. The Pushkarini near the Narasimha Temple is reserved strictly for Temple rituals and religious purposes; visitors are not permitted to enter, step into, bathe in, or play in the Pushkarini. ICCT’s lake is also not intended for swimming, wading, bathing, or recreational entry, and visitors should remain outside designated restricted areas around the water. Parents and guardians must closely supervise children at all times, especially when visiting the Narasimha Temple, Pushkarini, lake, and other outdoor areas. Please follow all posted signs, barriers, and instructions from ICCT priests, staff, and volunteers.

Personal Belongings

Visitors are responsible for their personal belongings.

Please do not leave valuables unattended.

Lost-and-found items may be turned in to the Temple office.

ICCT is not responsible for lost, stolen, or misplaced personal property except as required by applicable law.

Donations & Religious Offerings

Please make monetary donations only through authorized ICCT channels, including:

• Temple donation counters
• Official donation boxes
• ICCT’s authorized online donation system
• Other officially designated ICCT programs

Flowers, fruits, Dravya, and other religious offerings should be placed only in designated locations or given to authorized Temple personnel.

Please do not place coins, liquids, food, flowers, or other materials in locations where they may damage Temple property or create a safety hazard.

Interaction With Priests

Please respect the responsibilities and schedules of our priests.

During busy Poojas, festivals, and religious ceremonies, priests may not be immediately available for individual questions or requests.

For scheduled Poojas, Sankalpam, religious services, special ceremonies, or priest services, please contact the Temple office or use ICCT’s official booking process.

Solicitation & Commercial Activity

Unauthorized solicitation or commercial activity is not permitted on ICCT premises.

This includes unauthorized:

• Fundraising
• Sales
• Commercial advertising
• Collection of donations
• Distribution of promotional materials, flyers, or literature
• Political campaigning or related activities

Prior approval from ICCT management is required for such activities.

Respectful Conduct

All visitors are expected to behave respectfully toward fellow devotees, priests, employees, volunteers, and guests.

The following behavior is not permitted:

• Fighting
• Threatening or intimidating behavior
• Harassment
• Abusive or obscene language
• Destruction or misuse of Temple property
• Deliberate disruption of religious ceremonies
• Conduct that interferes with the peaceful worship or safety of others

ICCT may ask individuals to leave the premises when necessary to protect safety, maintain the sanctity of the Temple, prevent disruption, or enforce ICCT policies, consistent with applicable law.

Respect Temple Property

Please respect all Temple property, including Deities and shrines, religious objects, lamps and Pooja items, artwork, decorations, furniture, gardens, cultural displays, buildings, and facilities.

Please do not move, climb on, alter, or handle Temple property unless authorized.

Cleanliness

Please help us keep the Temple clean and welcoming.

• Dispose of trash in designated containers.
• Keep bathrooms clean and dry.
• Do not discard food or waste on Temple grounds.
• Notify staff or volunteers of spills or unsafe conditions.
• Keep hallways, entrances, and emergency exits clear.

Accessibility & Special Assistance

Visitors who require assistance accessing Temple facilities are encouraged to contact ICCT staff or volunteers.

For questions regarding accessibility, mobility assistance, service animals, disability-related accommodations, or other special circumstances, please contact the Temple office or ICCT management.

Emergencies & Safety

In an emergency, please follow instructions from ICCT staff, volunteers, security personnel, law enforcement, or emergency responders.

Please do not block:

• Fire exits
• Fire lanes
• Emergency access routes
• Driveways
• Building entrances

For immediate emergencies, call 911.

Major Festivals & Special Events

During major festivals and large gatherings, ICCT may implement additional procedures relating to parking, traffic flow, security, entry and exit routes, crowd management, seating, photography, food distribution, or restricted areas.

Please follow directions from ICCT staff, volunteers, security personnel, and law enforcement.

Respect for Hindu Religious Traditions

ICCT follows Hindu religious traditions and practices associated with its Deities, Poojas, Agama traditions, and sacred spaces.

We respectfully request visitors to follow the guidance of Temple priests and management regarding religious practices within the Temple.

Visitors unfamiliar with Hindu traditions are always welcome to respectfully ask questions.

Thank You

Thank you for helping maintain India Cultural Center and Temple as a peaceful, sacred, welcoming, and spiritually uplifting place for worship and community.

Your cooperation helps devotees and visitors experience the Temple with dignity, devotion, and peace.

India Cultural Center and Temple
12005 Highway 64
Eads, TN 38028
Phone: (901) 202-6070