Igniting the spark of divinity within every child.
Bala Vikas @ Sarvamangala Shri Saneeswwara Temple – NY is a forum for children to discover and manifest that spiritual divinity. Bala Vikas will enable Hindu children in US to appreciate their cultural roots, learn Vedic values in an enjoyable manner that will make them proud of who they are and make good association. They will also develop a sense of Seva, Service to the divine & humankind.
We will be conducting the Bala Vikas Program in collaboration with VHP-Global.
Our Goal
To facilitate children to appreciate, learn and practice Vedic way of life.
- Instill pride and confidence in Hindu children about their identity.
- Raise Vedic / Hindu awareness in the society around.
- Develop social awareness and leadership skills among children.
- And, learn to co-exist in any surroundings they are exposed to.
Children will have lots of fun while they learn. Activities are planned for their physical, intellectual, social and spiritual development.
Weekly Activities:
- Bhajans
- Shlokas
- Stories
- Yoga
- Games
- Music
- Dance
- Arts Crafts
Following is a suggestion for 90 minutes’ session:
| Assembly 5 min – Prayer at the Temple Story / Discussion 20 min |
Yoga / Exercises 20 min Games 20 min |
Shloka, Bhajans 20 min Prarthana 5 min. |
We would be conducting the activities in different groups based on their age.
Special Events
Festivals
Hindu Festivals like Ganesh Pooja, Shani Jayanthi, Janmashtami, Raksha Bandhan Navarathri and Guru Pooja will be celebrated with a special focus on children’s participation. Children will perform the pooja themselves and the meaning behind the festivals are explained & understood.
Vedic Heritage Camp
Vacation can be magical. That’s the time to explore, enjoy and make more friends, will participate in various Hindu / Vedic Heritage Camp conducted by the organizations the temple management associates with, during vacations or any other weekend. This has been a favorite event for the children.
Community Service
Seva or service is the best way for us to realize the divinity in all and serve the needy, Concept: “Manava Seva is Madhava Seva”
- Children from Bala-Vikas will be volunteering at Sarvamangala Shri Saneeshwara Temple for certain hours a week, visit elderly people in the hospital or senior centers. Certificates would be issued for all participants.
Other activities
There can be a variety of activities to bring out the creative power within the children and Teachers and also to make them good team players. Here are some ideas that have been found successful. Please experiment and come out with new activities and share with us.
Clay Modeling – Especially for Ganesha pooja, children can make murti of Ganesha themselves.
- Rangoli – Demonstration and some hands-on training.
- Projects on modeling with cardboard, foam, sticks, etc.
- Teerth Yatra or Pilgrimage (Visit to temples in your town).
- Picnic with all the families to build family level bonding.
- Seva: Supplies sent to homeless shelters, Visit Hospitals, children’s wards in hospitals, soup kitchens, etc.
- A presentation by social workers group or teenage counselors about challenges Desi American society are facing today.
- Presentations of reciting shlokas, singing songs, speaking, etc at various forums
- Art of Skit writing and acting.
- Annual Hindu Quiz.
- Dialogue between parents and children (For teenagers)
- Celebrating Hindu festivals in schools.
- Teaching how to read and write Desi Languages.
- Preparing posters on different topics: as a group project.