Aim

To become familiar with the form of puja within the mandir.
To know that Hindu worship involves all five senses.

Preparation

Before the lesson arrange visit to mandir / obtain images. Photocopy one worksheet for each child.

Lesson

Revise what was taught about puja in the previous lesson, by asking the children to consider how all five senses are used in Hindu worship. Inform the children that puja can also be performed at a Hindu temple which is called a mandir.

A mandir is usually dedicated to one god, whose image rests on the main shrine. There may be other smaller shrines within the mandir, but the main shrine is the focal point for worship. It is the job of the temple priest to look after the image and to help those who have come to worship.

Hindus can visit the mandir at any time to perform puja. But, in Britain, many Hindus gather to worship at the mandir on a Sunday.

Before entering the temple, they must wash themselves and take off their shoes. Why?

There is usually a daily Aarti ceremony in the mandir. The priest waves a small tray containing five lights in front of the image of the god. Each worshipper will be offered the lamp. They hold their hands over the flames and then wipe their hands over their heads. They believe that by doing this they will receive special power from the god. Special hymns are sung and a bell is rung to draw the god's attention to the worship. The ceremony is ended by the sharing of blessed food called Prasad.

Invite children to use the worksheet to record their learning in this and the previous lesson.