B576 – Hinduism 2
Unit 1 - Places and forms of Worship
You should have explored the ways in which Hindus use symbols and artefacts in
their worship. There should be a consideration of the ways in which these symbols
and artefacts might support and influence the beliefs and attitudes of worshippers.
• The practice of Puja (Worship) in the home, and the objects used in worship;
• the hall, dome, ritual objects and representations of God found in the mandir; the
different ways in which the mandir is used by the community;
• the role of the priest
Worship
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While worship at the temple is important for many Hindus, the real focus of
worship is in the home.
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Most Hindu homes have a shrine. Worship is an expression of devotion to their
chosen deity.
Worshippers usually bathe, put on clean clothes (no shoes), ring the bell to wake
the gods, light incence sticks and wipe the pictures of the gods and the murtis
(statues) with water.
The foreheads of each god is marked with kum kum powder and sweets, fruit,
water and possibly leaves and flowers are offered to the gods.
Then arti is performed. This involves lighting the diva and moving the hands
above the flame before moving them over the forehead to show that the
blessing of god is being received.
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Puja
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Puja is a daily routine for Hindus.
Puja is an act of daily worship.
Puja is made at least once a day, usually in the morning.
It is a simple form of worship using Mantras (prayers) and making offerings.
At the end of Puja, any food offered to the god is shared out amongst the
worshippers.
This food is known as prashad.
The word ‘Puja’ means worship. Items on the Puja try help Hindus
to show their love and devotion to God. The items on the Puja tray
also help Hindus to praise God for the elements: fire, water, air
and earth.
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The Puja Tray
The Mandir
The mandir is a Hindu place of worship. Each
mandir is primarily dedicated to one god and may
have images, or murtis, of other deities within it.
At the entrance of the mandir is a place for the
worshippers to leave their shoes.
Worship in the Mandir
•The mandir is a place for private as well as public worship. People can drop in
anytime to pray – on their way to work, if they have had a bad day, etc. Some people
go to the mandir as part of their everyday routine whilst others go much more
infrequently.
• People will worship communally for important festivals. When this happens they will
sing devotional songs (this is called bhajan).
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• They will also offer the arti lamp (with five wicks) to the gods then pass their
hands over the flame and then over their heads. This symbolizes sharing the light and
presence of the gods, and is a way of asking for help to reach enlightenment.
• During communal worship Hindus will light a small fire using clarified butter in front
of the murtis (images of the gods). Fire is a symbol of the god Agni and a reminder of
the way sacrifices are burnt. The offering of fire is called havan.
The importance of the Mandir
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The Mandir is the most prominent building in the village. Often it is the centre of
an Ashram or community.
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The temple is likely to be alongside a river, with steps that reach down into the
water.
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The Mandir is a special place to encounter god.
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Many temples are associated with places where gods have appeared.
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They are not for big congregations, but for individuals or small groups.
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The idea is that once you have gone through the gateway is to leave the world
behind and seek the truth.
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It is designed to produce a certain state of mind.
The Temple Priest – Key points
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The temple priest is called the pujari (one who performs puja).
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They are often called or named purohit
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They are often addressed as pandit (or pandit-ji), out of respect for their
learning
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They are usually brahmanas (by birth and/or qualities)
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Priests are expected to follow strict rules regarding inner and outer purity in
order to retain the sanctity of the temple
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Most are men but some groups accept women as priests
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Plan of a Mandir
The plan of a typical North Indian temple. South Indian temples are more complex,
and are usually surrounded by a number of concentric walls each with a number of
elaborate gateways (gopurams).
External Features of a Mandir:
The external represents the
nature and qualities of God – it is
meant to be heaven on earth.
Garbha-griha –
‘Womb house’
This is the inner
sanctum where
gods are housed.
Mandap or Mandapa
-Hallway with pillars
often ornately
decorated. It is here
that shrines are often of
the consort of the main
deity.
-E.g: If the temple was
to Vishnu, his consort is
Lakshmi
In Hindu Mythology the
home of the Gods is the
mountains – Shiva and
Parvarti live there. So the
shape of the temple is
meant to be like a mountain
– Beautiful and splendid.
Shikara – a tower like
structure above the
images of the deities. It
represents the highest
aim
This draws the eye
upwards, which
represents every Hindus
aim = to achieve Moksha.
This is sometimes called
Vimana.
The Temple is a
symbol of the
universe. The
design and plans =
regions of the
Earth and Sky. It
is the home of the
Gods.
E.g: If the temple showed
worship to Shiva the vehicle
would be Nandi the bull.
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