About Education Committee

HATS (Hindu American Temple School): The HATS is the educational branch of the Hindu Society of Minnesota. It organizes weekend classes at the temple covering aspects of Hindu Dharma and languages for children of ages 5-16 years. HATS follows a rigorous, age appropriate 14-year Dharma covering all the major aspects of our faith in a non-sectarian way. The curriculum is designed to enable our children to live as informed, knowledgeable and proud Hindus in the American context and enabling them to appreciate the global and universal nature of our faith. The school was started in September 2009 and currently serves approximately 300 students and their families. The school seeks to preserve and propagate the ethical, philosophical, religious, spiritual and cultural values and traditions of Hindus and Jains from generation to generation through teaching in a class-room environment.

The languages currently taught in HATS are Sanskrit, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu. 

HATS Dharma curriculum has been adopted or is being referred to by numerous temple schools in the US, Canada, Surinam, Guyana and even in India.

HYMN (Hindu Youth of Minnesota): This organization is the youth wing of the Hindu Community Center. It was started in September 2010 by the Mandir to utilize the creativity and energy of High School students and offer them opportunities to lead, volunteer and support our cultural and philanthropic activities. HYMN is governed by its own elected council of teenagers and coordinates with Hindu students on university campuses in Minnesota for cultural events, educational seminars and career exploration workshops. 

HYMN partners with HATS and the teenagers serve as good role models for younger kids. In turn, college students are approached for mentoring HATS teenagers. Some of the events co-organized by HYMN in the past include: 

1. The annual Navaratri-Dandiya program

2. Bollywood Nights

3. HATS Annual Day

4. Dance items in the Mandir Holi and Diwali programs

HYMN also seeks to take the rich Hindu cultural traditions to the larger American society, especially to High School students. The organization provides a social forum for like-minded teenagers with adult oversight.

Additional Education Committee activities:

• Sermons on the Bhagavad Gita and other scriptures of Hindu traditions are also conducted for adults on a regular basis. 

• HATS participates in interfaith discussions for and assists High School and College students in the class projects related to Hindu traditions.

• Annual scholarship available for High School seniors and juniors promoting Sanatan Dharma and service to the Hindu community.

• Oct 2: Non-Violence Day, celebrating Gandhi Jayanti at the STATE CAPITAL, with India Association of Minnesota.

• This year 11 HATS/HYMN students received Community Service Awards in the presence of MN State officials.

• Summer Youth Camp for children to promote community, relationships, and Hindu teachings.