Bal-Vihar started with just a handful of kids in our temple many years ago and now is 130 children strong and continues to grow. Our Bal-Vihar program helps to cultivate Samskaras in young minds, giving them a positive identity as Hindus! Samskaras are the childhood impressions that live on in our psyche and influence our actions throughout life. Unlike in India, where the mainstream breathes Hinduism, our children grow up in a diverse U.S. society so we need to teach them what it means to be a Hindu. Bal-Vihar is a vibrant group of children and parents with an ever evolving curriculum that varies according to age. It includes yoga and prayers, an introduction to gods, the meaning of Hindu symbols, the history of India through the stories of saints and leaders, the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, and Vedic values, principles and practices of the Hindu religion. Children also learn and enjoy performing pujas, and celebrating festivals such as Diwali, Holi, Shivratri and others. The annual day program is simply a joy for children and a source of pride for Bal-Vihar parents. It is a display of what they have learned through songs, dramas and dance, and is a must see for our entire community!