Temple Treasure Hunt
India's Most Exciting Temple-Based Treasure Hunting Adventure Game!
Overview of Temple Treasure Hunt
What is Temple Treasure Hunt?
Temple Treasure Hunt is an immersive adventure game that takes players on a journey through India's most magnificent ancient temples. Combining elements of puzzle-solving, historical exploration, and treasure hunting, Temple Treasure Hunt offers a unique gaming experience that educates while entertaining.
Developed by Daman Games, a leading Indian game studio known for creating culturally rich gaming experiences, Temple Treasure Hunt was first released in 2020. The game quickly gained popularity across India, resonating with players who appreciated its authentic representation of Indian temple architecture and mythology.
Unlike generic treasure hunt games, Temple Treasure Hunt is deeply rooted in Indian culture and history. Each level is inspired by real temples from across India, from the towering gopurams of South Indian temples to the intricate stone carvings of Khajuraho.
Cultural Background and Inspiration
The idea for Temple Treasure Hunt came from the developers' childhood memories of visiting temples with their grandparents, listening to stories of hidden treasures and divine mysteries. The development team spent two years researching temple architecture, Hindu mythology, and regional traditions to ensure that Temple Treasure Hunt authentically represents India's diverse temple culture.
Temple Treasure Hunt draws inspiration from several famous temple complexes across India, including:
- Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu
- Khajuraho Group of Monuments in Madhya Pradesh
- Konark Sun Temple in Odisha
- Virupaksha Temple in Hampi, Karnataka
- Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab
- Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
- Akshardham Temple in Delhi
Each temple in Temple Treasure Hunt is recreated with stunning attention to detail, from the specific architectural style of each region to the mythological stories depicted in the carvings. The game's puzzles are designed around temple rituals, mythological stories, and traditional Indian knowledge systems, making Temple Treasure Hunt both entertaining and educational.
Game Development Journey
Development of Temple Treasure Hunt began in 2018 with a small team of developers, artists, and cultural consultants. The team faced several unique challenges, including how to accurately represent India's diverse temple traditions while creating engaging gameplay, and how to balance educational content with entertainment value.
"We wanted Temple Treasure Hunt to be more than just a game," said Rajesh Patel, lead designer. "Our goal was to create an experience that would make players appreciate the beauty and complexity of India's temple heritage, while having fun solving puzzles."
The team worked with temple authorities, archaeologists, and cultural experts across India to ensure that the representations of temples in Temple Treasure Hunt were accurate and respectful. Special care was taken to represent regional differences in temple architecture and traditions.
After two years of development, Temple Treasure Hunt launched in beta in July 2020, with a full release in December 2020. The initial response was overwhelming, with over 300,000 downloads in the first month, primarily from India.
Since its release, Temple Treasure Hunt has received regular updates, with new temple complexes, puzzles, and gameplay features added every quarter. The development team continues to work with cultural experts to expand the game's representation of India's diverse temple traditions while maintaining its educational value.
Gameplay Mechanics of Temple Treasure Hunt
Core Gameplay Loop
At its core, Temple Treasure Hunt is a puzzle-adventure game where players take on the role of a treasure hunter exploring ancient Indian temples. The gameplay revolves around discovering hidden treasures by solving puzzles that are integrated into the temple environment.
The gameplay in Temple Treasure Hunt focuses on several key activities:
Exploration
Navigate through intricately designed temple complexes, examining carvings, statues, and architectural features for clues.
Puzzle Solving
Solve puzzles based on Indian mythology, temple rituals, and traditional knowledge to unlock new areas and treasures.
Knowledge Collection
Gather information about temple history, architecture, and mythology to understand the context of each treasure.
As players progress through Temple Treasure Hunt, they collect treasures and artifacts that unlock new temple complexes. The game features an in-game museum where players can view and learn more about the items they've collected, adding an educational dimension to the gameplay. Each treasure in Temple Treasure Hunt is associated with a historical or mythological story, providing players with cultural insights as they play.
Game Modes
Temple Treasure Hunt offers several game modes to cater to different player preferences:
Campaign Mode
The main story mode of Temple Treasure Hunt, where players follow a narrative that takes them through 12 different temple complexes across India. This mode offers over 40 hours of gameplay with increasing difficulty.
Time Challenge
Test your puzzle-solving speed in this mode, where players race against the clock to solve puzzles in familiar temple environments.
Treasure Hunter
A free-exploration mode where players can revisit any unlocked temple to find hidden treasures they might have missed during the campaign.
Multiplayer协作
Team up with friends to solve the most complex puzzles in Temple Treasure Hunt that are designed for cooperative play.
Key Features
Temple Treasure Hunt includes several unique features that set it apart from other adventure games:
Authentic Temple Design
Each temple in Temple Treasure Hunt is based on real architectural styles from different regions of India, with accurate details and features.
Mythology-Based Puzzles
Puzzles are inspired by stories from the Mahabharata, Ramayana, Puranas, and regional folklore, making them both challenging and educational.
Cultural Insights
Learn about temple rituals, historical context, and architectural significance through informative panels and narration.
Regional Specialties
Each temple in Temple Treasure Hunt features region-specific music, art styles, and cultural elements that reflect its real-world inspiration.
AR Temple Experience
Use augmented reality to view 3D models of temple structures and even "place" famous temple features in your own environment.
Treasure Collection
Collect over 200 unique treasures, each with its own historical or mythological significance, to complete your in-game museum.
Temple Complexes in Temple Treasure Hunt
One of the most exciting aspects of Temple Treasure Hunt is the opportunity to explore meticulously recreated temple complexes from across India. Each temple offers unique architecture, puzzles, and treasures that reflect the region's cultural heritage.
South Indian Temple Complex
Modeled after the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai and Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, this section of Temple Treasure Hunt features towering gopurams, colorful sculptures, and intricate rangoli patterns.
In this temple complex, players will encounter:
- Puzzles based on Tamil Sangam literature and Shaivite mythology
- Rangoli pattern-matching challenges that unlock secret chambers
- Temple carvings that tell stories from the Periya Puranam
- Musical puzzles using traditional Carnatic ragas
- Treasures including a replica of the emerald lingam and golden lotus
This section of Temple Treasure Hunt introduces players to Dravidian architecture, with its distinctive vimanas (tower structures), mandapas (halls), and elaborate gopurams (entrance towers). The puzzles and treasures reflect the rich cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu and neighboring South Indian states.
Khajuraho Temple Complex
Inspired by the famous Khajuraho Group of Monuments in Madhya Pradesh, this section of Temple Treasure Hunt features the distinctive Nagara-style architecture and the famous erotic sculptures that Khajuraho is known for.
Highlights of this temple complex include:
- Puzzles based on kama sutra symbols and positions
- Shadow-based challenges using the setting sun and temple pillars
- Mythological puzzles from the Hindu epics depicted in the carvings
- Architecture-based riddles involving the mathematical precision of the temple design
- Treasures including a golden statue of Lord Shiva and Parvati
This section of Temple Treasure Hunt provides insight into the Chandela dynasty's artistic achievements and the philosophical worldview that allowed the creation of such explicit sculptures within a religious context. The puzzles encourage players to look beyond the obvious and understand the deeper symbolism in the art.
Konark Sun Temple
Modeled after the 13th-century Sun Temple in Odisha, this section of Temple Treasure Hunt features the iconic chariot-shaped temple dedicated to the Sun God Surya.
In this temple complex, players will find:
- Astronomical puzzles based on the temple's alignment with the sun
- Time-based challenges using the 12 pairs of decorative wheels representing the months
- Puzzles involving the seven horses that pull Surya's chariot
- Water channel puzzles reflecting the temple's ancient irrigation system
- Treasures including a diamond-studded sun disc and celestial maps
This section of Temple Treasure Hunt showcases the remarkable engineering and astronomical knowledge of ancient Indian architects. The puzzles demonstrate how the temple serves as a giant sundial, with shadows indicating different times of day and year, making it both a religious site and a scientific instrument.
Hampi Temple Complex
Inspired by the ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire in Karnataka, this section of Temple Treasure Hunt features the Virupaksha Temple and surrounding structures, set among boulders and river views.
Players can experience:
- Puzzles based on the stories of the Ramayana, which were performed in the temple's amphitheater
- Stone switch puzzles using the massive boulders surrounding the temple complex
- Water management puzzles reflecting Hampi's sophisticated irrigation systems
- Musical challenges using the famous musical pillars of Hampi
- Treasures including royal seals, coins, and jewelry from the Vijayanagara period
This part of Temple Treasure Hunt captures the grandeur of the Vijayanagara Empire, once one of the largest and most powerful kingdoms in India. The puzzles highlight the empire's achievements in architecture, water management, and the arts, providing players with a sense of the historical context of these remarkable ruins.
Golden Temple Complex
The most recent addition to Temple Treasure Hunt, this section is inspired by the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) in Amritsar, Punjab, and represents Sikh architectural traditions.
Highlights include:
- Puzzles based on Sikh philosophy and the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib
- Reflection puzzles using the Amrit Sarovar (holy pool) surrounding the temple
- Calligraphy challenges involving Gurmukhi script
- Community service challenges reflecting the langar (community kitchen) tradition
- Treasures including replica Sikh relics and golden artifacts
This section of Temple Treasure Hunt introduces players to Sikhism's core principles of equality, service, and devotion. The puzzles emphasize the Golden Temple's unique features, including its gold plating, the Amrit Sarovar, and the fact that it has four entrances, symbolizing welcome to all people regardless of background.
Localization and Regional Adaptations of Temple Treasure Hunt
Temple Treasure Hunt's popularity across India can be attributed in large part to its extensive localization efforts. The game isn't just translated into regional languages but is culturally adapted to resonate with players from different parts of the country.
Language Support
Temple Treasure Hunt currently supports 18 languages spoken across India, ensuring that players can enjoy the game in their mother tongue:
What makes Temple Treasure Hunt's localization special is that it goes beyond simple translation. The game uses region-specific idioms, proverbs, and cultural references that make the dialogue feel natural to players from different linguistic backgrounds. For example, the Tamil version uses chennai Tamil for conversational parts and more formal Tamil for temple inscriptions, reflecting real-world usage.
Regional Content Variations
Temple Treasure Hunt includes region-specific content that reflects India's diverse temple traditions. Players from different states will encounter familiar local temple references and additional content:
North India
Additional levels featuring Vaishno Devi, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, and the temples of Uttarakhand. Puzzles incorporate local traditions like the Ganga Aarti and Kumbh Mela.
South India
Expanded content on the six abodes of Murugan, Padmanabhaswamy Temple, and local temple festivals like Pongal and Thaipusam. Special puzzles based on Tamil literature and Carnatic music.
East India
Special levels featuring Kali temples of West Bengal, Jagannath Temple in Puri, and Kamakhya Temple in Assam. Puzzles incorporate Bengali folk tales and Odia traditions.
West India
Additional content on the Jain temples of Gujarat and Rajasthan, Shirdi Sai Baba temple, and Goa's unique temple architecture. Puzzles based on local stories and traditions.
Northeast India
Unique levels featuring the Hindu temples of Manipur, Assam's Kamakhya Temple, and the mixed religious sites of the region, reflecting its unique cultural blend.
Festival Events and Special Content
Temple Treasure Hunt regularly features special events tied to Indian religious festivals, with temple-specific celebrations that educate players about these important traditions:
Diwali Special
Decorate temple complexes with diyas, solve light-based puzzles, and learn about Diwali traditions across different regions of India.
Navratri Celebration
Collect idols of the nine forms of Durga, solve puzzles based on each avatar, and experience Garba and Dandiya traditions.
Maha Shivratri
Special night-time puzzles in Shiva temples, collect bel leaves and flowers, and learn about the significance of this important festival.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Help prepare for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, solve modak-shaped puzzles, and learn about the different forms of Ganesha.
Rath Yatra Festival
Participate in virtual chariot processions, solve wheel-based puzzles, and learn about Rath Yatra traditions from Puri to Ahmedabad.
Gurpurab Celebrations
Special events in the Golden Temple complex honoring Sikh gurus, with calligraphy puzzles and community service challenges.
These festival events in Temple Treasure Hunt have been praised for their educational value and cultural sensitivity. Many parents have reported that their children have learned about different regional traditions and festivals through these events, sparking interest in visiting real temples to experience the celebrations firsthand. Teachers in several Indian states have incorporated Temple Treasure Hunt's festival content into their cultural studies curricula.
Download Statistics and Player Reviews of Temple Treasure Hunt
Download Numbers and Player Base in India
Since its launch, Temple Treasure Hunt has achieved impressive download numbers across India, establishing itself as one of the most popular culturally specific games in the country:
Top States by Downloads
- Tamil Nadu 18.2%
- Maharashtra 15.7%
- Uttar Pradesh 14.3%
- Karnataka 12.1%
- West Bengal 9.8%
- Gujarat 7.6%
Player Demographics
- Age 13-20 28%
- Age 21-30 32%
- Age 31-45 25%
- Age 46+ 15%
- Male Players 57%
- Female Players 43%
Growth Milestones
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December 2020: Official launch with 300,000+ downloads in first month
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April 2021: 5 million downloads reached
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October 2021: 10 million downloads and 4.5 rating on Google Play Store
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May 2022: 20 million downloads with expansion to 15 regional languages
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Present: 38 million+ downloads with 7.2 million monthly active users
Player Reviews and Feedback
Temple Treasure Hunt has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from Indian players, who appreciate both its entertainment value and educational content about Indian temple culture. Here's what some players have to say:
Priya, Chennai
"As someone who grew up visiting Meenakshi Temple, I'm impressed by how accurately Temple Treasure Hunt has recreated it! The Tamil dialogues are perfect - not like those awkward translations. My children are now more interested in our temple visits because of this game."
Amit, Varanasi
"Temple Treasure Hunt's Kashi section brought back so many memories! The puzzles based on our local traditions are spot on. I especially loved the Ganga Aarti event during Diwali. It's amazing how much I learned about my own city's history through this game."
Anjali, Ahmedabad
"The Gujarati version of Temple Treasure Hunt is wonderful! My parents don't speak much English but they love playing this game. The Jain temple section is beautifully done and accurate. We now play together as a family and discuss the stories behind each treasure."
Suresh, Bengaluru
"Temple Treasure Hunt's Hampi section is incredible! As someone who studied archaeology, I appreciate the attention to detail. The musical pillar puzzle is genius - it actually produces different notes! The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is I want more Karnataka temples added."
Riya, Kolkata
"The Durga Puja event in Temple Treasure Hunt made me so nostalgic! The Bengali dialogues are perfect, with all the local terms we use during puja. I learned things about Kolkata's Kali temples that I didn't know despite living here all my life. Great job by the developers!"
Manpreet, Amritsar
"I was worried how Temple Treasure Hunt would represent the Golden Temple, but they did an amazing job! The Punjabi version is authentic, and the langar puzzle teaches the important concept of seva. My children now understand our traditions better thanks to this game."
Common Suggestions and Developer Responses
The developers of Temple Treasure Hunt actively listen to player feedback, resulting in regular improvements:
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Suggestion: "Add more temples from Northeast India"
Response: Released a major update in 2022 featuring Kamakhya Temple and other Northeast Indian temple sites.
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Suggestion: "Include more female-centric temple stories"
Response: Added new content focusing on Devi temples and female deities across India, with special Navratri events.
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Suggestion: "Add offline mode for rural areas with poor internet"
Implemented in 2021, allowing players to download temple complexes for offline play, which significantly increased rural adoption.
Indian Player Strategies and Tips for Temple Treasure Hunt
Indian players have developed unique strategies to master Temple Treasure Hunt, drawing on their cultural knowledge and familiarity with temple traditions. Whether you're a beginner or looking to improve your gameplay, these tips from top players across India will help you uncover all the treasures in the game.
Pro Player Insights
We spoke to several top-ranked players in India to get their best tips for success in Temple Treasure Hunt:
Sanjay "TreasureHunter" Iyer (Rank 1 in Tamil Nadu)
"In the South Indian temple levels, always pay attention to the gopuram carvings - they tell stories that often contain puzzle clues. The best strategy is to approach each temple as you would a real one - start at the entrance and move clockwise, just like traditional pradakshina. This will help you spot all the clues in order."
Deepika "PuzzleQueen" Singh (Rank 3 in Uttar Pradesh)
"For the Khajuraho puzzles, understanding the symbolism in the carvings is key. Many puzzles require recognizing the mudras (hand positions) of the deities. If you're stuck, recall stories from the Puranas - the developers often hide solutions in these mythological references. Also, visit the in-game information panels - they're not just for show!"
Raj "TempleMaster" Patel (Rank 2 in Gujarat)
"The Konark Sun Temple section has puzzles that change based on the time of day in real life! Play those levels at different times to see the changes. Also, for the mirror puzzles in any temple, remember that Indian temple architecture often uses symmetry - reflecting patterns across a central axis usually reveals the solution. This one trick has helped me solve countless puzzles in Temple Treasure Hunt."
Temple-Specific Strategies
Each temple complex in Temple Treasure Hunt has its own challenges and secrets. Here's how to master them:
South Indian Temples
Look for the dwajasthambam (flagstaff) in each courtyard - it often points to the next clue. Rangoli patterns follow specific mathematical sequences that repeat. Learn the basic kolam patterns to solve these puzzles quickly.
Khajuraho Temples
The position of the sun creates shadows that form symbols on the temple walls - these are crucial for solving certain puzzles. The erotic sculptures often depict mythological stories whose solutions require understanding the complete narrative.
Konark Sun Temple
Study the 12 wheels representing the months - their spokes form numbers and symbols needed for puzzles. The seven horses correspond to the days of the week, with each horse's position giving clues for time-based challenges.
Hampi Temples
The musical pillars produce specific notes that form melodies needed to unlock certain doors. The boulders surrounding the temples can be rotated to form images from the Ramayana when viewed from specific angles.
Golden Temple
Reflections in the Amrit Sarovar pool reveal hidden symbols. The inscriptions in Gurmukhi script can be translated using the game's reference guide, providing solutions to calligraphy puzzles.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced players make these mistakes in Temple Treasure Hunt. Learn from them to improve your gameplay:
Ignoring Cultural Context
Many players skip the information panels, but this cultural context often contains the keys to solving puzzles in Temple Treasure Hunt.
Rushing Through Levels
Temple Treasure Hunt rewards careful observation. Rushing causes players to miss subtle clues hidden in carvings and architectural details.
Not Revisiting Temples
Many treasures in Temple Treasure Hunt only become available after solving puzzles in other temples, so revisit completed levels regularly.
Neglecting Festival Events
Festival events in Temple Treasure Hunt offer unique treasures and clues that help in the main game, so don't miss them.
Playing Without Headphones
Audio clues are crucial in Temple Treasure Hunt, especially in the Hampi section with its musical pillars. Always play with sound on.
Not Using Regional Knowledge
Players often miss that puzzles in regional temples rely on local traditions. If you're stuck, research the real temple's traditions!
Advanced Strategy: Connecting Temple Traditions
One of the most sophisticated aspects of Temple Treasure Hunt is how different temple traditions connect to each other. Top players have discovered that:
- Symbols found in South Indian temples often appear in modified form in North Indian temple puzzles
- Mythological stories referenced in one temple complex are expanded upon in others, providing puzzle clues
- Ritual sequences learned in the Golden Temple help solve similar puzzles in Hindu temples
- Astronomical alignments understood in Konark help solve time-based puzzles in other temple complexes
Recognizing these connections not only helps in solving puzzles but also provides a deeper understanding of how India's temple traditions are interconnected despite regional differences - one of the key educational goals of Temple Treasure Hunt.
Community and Events for Temple Treasure Hunt
The Temple Treasure Hunt community in India is vibrant and active, with players forming groups to discuss temple history, share puzzle solutions, and organize real-world temple visits. The game has fostered a unique blend of gaming and cultural appreciation among its players.
Real-World Temple Expeditions
Temple Treasure Hunt organizes unique events that connect the virtual game world with real temple visits across India:
Temple Trek Events
Organized visits to actual temples featured in the game, with guided tours by historians and archaeologists. These events have visited over 30 temples across India.
During these expeditions, players can complete special in-game challenges while physically at the temples, earning exclusive digital rewards.
Cultural Heritage Workshops
Educational workshops in schools and community centers that use Temple Treasure Hunt to teach about India's temple heritage. Over 300,000 students have participated.
These workshops include interactive sessions where students design their own temple puzzles based on local traditions.
Online Competitions and Challenges
Temple Treasure Hunt hosts regular online events that test players' knowledge of temple culture and puzzle-solving skills:
National Temple Quiz Championship
Monthly quiz competitions testing knowledge of Indian temple architecture, mythology, and traditions, with questions drawn from Temple Treasure Hunt content. Top performers receive prizes including books, temple visit packages, and in-game rewards.
Speed Treasure Hunt
Weekly competitions where players race to find all treasures in a specific temple complex with the fastest time. Leaderboards are maintained for each region.
Mythology Master
Monthly event focusing on the mythological stories behind temple carvings. Players answer questions while exploring relevant temple sections.
Community Temple Creation
Quarterly competition where players design their own temple puzzles based on local temples not yet featured in Temple Treasure Hunt. Winning designs are added to the game.
Priest Insights Series
Live online sessions with temple priests and scholars, who share insights about temple traditions and answer player questions about the real temples featured in the game.
Community Features and Player Creations
Temple Treasure Hunt includes several features that encourage community interaction and player creativity:
Temple Groups
Players can form groups focused on specific temple types or regions, organizing virtual tours and discussions.
Real Temple Photos
Community feature allowing players to share their photos of real temples visited, creating a virtual photo album.
Art Gallery
Showcase of player-created art inspired by temple architecture and mythology from Temple Treasure Hunt.
Story Collection
Players can share local temple stories and legends, some of which have been incorporated into game updates.
The Temple Treasure Hunt community has produced some impressive creations, including:
Virtual Temple Tours
Player-led virtual tours of the game's temple complexes, with live narration about historical context and architectural features.
Temple Preservation Efforts
Community initiatives to raise awareness about preserving real temple heritage, inspired by the game's educational content.
Intergenerational Gameplay
Many families use Temple Treasure Hunt as a way for grandparents to share traditional stories with younger generations while playing together.
The official Temple Treasure Hunt forums and social media groups have become valuable resources for temple enthusiasts, with players often sharing information about real temple visits, historical facts, and even organizing group visits to lesser-known temple sites. This vibrant community has helped Temple Treasure Hunt transcend its role as a game to become a platform for cultural education and preservation.
Ready to Begin Your Temple Adventure?
Download Temple Treasure Hunt today and start exploring India's magnificent temple heritage through this immersive adventure game! Join millions of players already discovering the secrets of these ancient wonders.
Download Steps for Android and iOS
For Android Users
- Click the "Download Now" button above
- Allow installation from unknown sources if prompted
- Open the downloaded APK file and follow instructions
- Once installed, launch Temple Treasure Hunt
- Choose your preferred language from 18 options
- Create your account and start your temple adventure!
For iOS Users
- Click the "Download Now" button above
- You'll be redirected to the App Store
- Tap "Get" to download Temple Treasure Hunt
- Once installed, open the game
- Select your language and create your account
- Begin exploring India's magnificent temples!
Login Options
Temple Treasure Hunt offers multiple secure login options to suit your preferences:
Google Login
Quick and secure access using your Google account
Facebook Login
Connect with friends who also play Temple Treasure Hunt
Apple ID
Secure login for iOS users with Face ID/Touch ID support
Email Login
Create a dedicated Temple Treasure Hunt account with your email
All login methods ensure your game progress is saved securely, allowing you to continue your temple exploration across multiple devices. New players receive a "Temple Explorer Pack" with exclusive starting tools and a guided tour of the South Indian Temple Complex to help begin their adventure in Temple Treasure Hunt!