About HATS

History of HATS

Founding of HATS (27 September 2009) and the First Year of the School (2009-2010):

Minnesota has approximately 40000 Hindus, of whom perhaps 10000 live within a 10 mile radius of the Mandir. In April 2009, Vishal Agarwal of Maple Grove, MN proposed the idea of starting a children’s Sunday school within the Hindu Society of Minnesota (HSMN) temple. Introduced to Dr. (Mrs.) Kumud Sane (TEC President) and Dr. Shashikant Sane by Suhag Shukla of the Hindu American Foundation, Vishal was immediately offered five rooms and asked to prepare an action plan and curriculum.

A survey during the Raj Mahotsava in June 2009 revealed high demand. While the team expected 25 students, interest quickly ballooned to 60. This overwhelming response highlighted the community’s urgent need for a values-based Hindu education system. A dedicated team of adults and teens came together to form what would be known as the Hindu American Temple School (HATS).

The school was inaugurated on Vijayadashami (September 27, 2009) with 88 students; eventually reaching 105. Classes were divided into five age-based groups focused on Dharma education. The youngest learned about deities, while older students explored key Hindu concepts like karma, rebirth, and the purusharthas. Teachers also organized cultural performances during temple events. Meanwhile, adult family members participated in parallel classes on the Gita and the Upanishads.

The first Annual Day in May 2010 was attended by national representatives of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh and featured moving speeches by HATS teens. One major outcome of the school’s early success was the spontaneous growth of extracurricular and service efforts: book clubs, tutoring, community service, and summer programs were initiated by students and parents alike.

Second Year of HATS (2010-2011):

Enrollment nearly doubled to 180. Six languages were added: Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, and Gujarati. Meditation became a regular part of the curriculum, and experienced educators from out-of-state, like the Iragavarapu family, joined the leadership team. Students participated in radio interviews and were invited to the White House as part of the Hindu American Seva Charities initiative.

The second Annual Day featured a keynote by Rajiv Malhotra. HATS students also showcased Indian culture through food and dance. In July 2010, HYMN (Hindu Youth of MN), the temple’s teen group, spun off from HATS and organized what would become the iconic “Ratri Before Navratri” celebration.

Third Year of HATS (2011-2012):

Enrollment surpassed 250, prompting the addition of an afternoon session, managed by the Iragavarapus. Malayalam was added to the language curriculum. On 9/11/2011, the school hosted local fire and police chiefs as special guests for Inauguration Day. Students participated in public events, including a Hindu prayer session at the MN State Capitol and the Flinthills Children’s Festival.

Fourth to Sixth Years (2012–2015)

HATS continued its strong growth and community presence during these years. Enrollment reached 300 students, solidifying HATS as the largest Hindu Sunday school in the Upper Midwest. A satellite branch in Eagan briefly served an additional 35 students. The curriculum expanded to include Jainism and Sanskrit, bringing the total number of languages offered to eight.

Students actively participated in temple festivals and new celebrations such as Lohri and Holi. HATS students had the honor of meeting former Indian President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam during his U.S. visit. They also engaged in charitable efforts, raising funds for girls in India and Nepal and later collecting $6,000 in relief for victims of the 2015 Nepal earthquake.

The 2014–2015 school year began on Janmashtami, marked by participation in the temple’s formal inauguration ceremony where students sang the U.S. and Indian national anthems in the presence of the Mayor of Maple Grove. HATS also returned to the Flinthills Children’s Festival. Significant progress was made in curriculum development, with several Dharma textbooks completed and teacher versions introduced to support classroom instruction.

Seventh & Eighth Years of HATS (2015-2017):

During this period, HATS focused on enhancing its language curricula, beginning with Hindi and Marathi. Collaborations were initiated with established language programs such as Manabadi for Telugu. With enrollment steadily increasing, new adjustable classrooms were constructed to accommodate growing needs.

A significant change in school structure was implemented as well - the afternoon session was discontinued, and all classes were consolidated into a single morning session to streamline operations and improve community engagement.

The HATS management team also expanded with the addition of Bhakti Modi, who had recently relocated to Minnesota. With extensive experience leading Hindu youth and education initiatives at temples across North America and through the Hindu Mandir Executives' Conference (HMEC), she brought national-level insight to the growing program.

Ninth to Eleventh Years (2018–2020):

This period saw a major shift toward technology. The HATS website launched, classroom A/V tools were upgraded, and teen volunteer roles expanded significantly. Family participation increased across various cultural backgrounds. Digital communication and documentation improved the school’s internal processes and engagement.

Twelfth to Fourteenth Years (2020–2022):

Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, HATS never missed a single class. The school seamlessly transitioned to a fully virtual format, using digital platforms and new tools to continue delivering high-quality instruction. This shift also enabled families from outside the Twin Cities to participate, expanding HATS’ reach and reinforcing its commitment to accessible Dharmic education.

This period also marked significant growth in the HATS Management Team. Jalpa Kotak, a dedicated HATS parent, joined as the HATS Administrator, bringing strong organizational support and parent insight to the leadership team. Vishal Agarwal transitioned into the role of mentor and curriculum coordinator, helping guide the continued development of educational materials. The leadership structure was further strengthened with Bhakti Modi serving as HATS Director.

Fifteenth to Seventeenth Years (2023–2026):

The HATS leadership team expanded once again, introducing the role of HATS Manager to support operations and coordination. Jalpa Kotak transitioned into this role, bringing her experience and vision to help manage the school’s growing needs. Nitika Gupta, a new HATS parent joined as Administrator, managing weekly logistics and communications. Bhakti Modi continued as Director, focusing on long-term strategy, special projects, and community outreach.

These years marked significant enhancements in technology, curriculum, and organizational systems. HATS introduced new digital dashboards, modernized classroom tools, and upgraded internal infrastructure, making weekly operations smoother and the learning experience more engaging for all.

Several special initiatives were launched:

• Curriculum modernization and updates to textbooks and teaching materials

• First-ever Bhagavad Gita Summer Camp in 2025 in partnership with Hindu University of America (HUA), deepening national collaboration in Hindu education

• Relaunch of the HSMN Library Project, with a goal to fully catalog and reopen the library as a functional resource for the community, students, and researchers

Introduction of the Education Center vision, as part of HSMN’s “Dare to Dream” campaign, which aims to create a dedicated cultural, educational, and community space. This includes expanded classrooms, a youth center, library, and state-of-the-art facilities to support the long-term growth of HATS and other temple education initiatives. Learn more about D2D here. 

HATS today is a beacon of cultural pride and educational excellence, helping families raise confident and compassionate Hindu Americans while maintaining deep ties to heritage and tradition. As it continues to grow, HATS remains rooted in its mission: to serve the community through education, seva, and a deep respect for the spiritual wisdom of Sanatana Dharma.