Teachers - Primary - Religious Education

Hinduism: The Mandir

The Hindu place of worship is called the mandir. The domes and pinnacles of the ancient and traditional style symbolise thoughts about higher things, lifting the believer’s mind to God. Whether the mandir is purpose built or converted from a church or old school, the devotion of those who worship there makes the very building itself an offering to God, which is one reason why Hindus remove their shoes upon entering. Inside are the murtis, manifestations of God. These are not intended as representations of any earthly reality but with their multiple heads and arms or with part-animal bodies, they stretch the human imagination towards the divine.

They communicate something of the nature of God as all-knowing, all-powerful, reconciling paradox, unifying diversity. For Hindus, these murtis are not merely images. Once they are consecrated, God may become manifest through them: accessible to human prayer and worship.

In front of the deties are usually offerings of food - such as water, milk, rice, fruit, nuts and sweets - in thanks to God. The murtis will often be surrounded by garlands of fresh flowers and incense and above them will be a canopy or covering as a mark of respect. One of the responsibilities of the priest is to bathe and clothe the murtis and to annoint them with perfume.

Puja (worship) may be any thought or prayer directed to God but at least once a day congregational worship in the mandir will include arti. Instruments are played and worshippers sing and clap. The arti flames are offered to the deity by moving the arti lamp in circular clockwise motions. The flames are symbolic of purity and the rising up of the arti prayer to God. The arti lamp is then offered to worshippers who place their hands over the flames and then touch their face and head. As the flames have been offered to God, for Hindus, they become spiritually endowed with God’s glory and worshippers may share this.

Individual worship in the mandir may begin with the ringing of a bell, alerting God to the devotee’s intention. Then the believer may kneel or prostrate her/himself showing s/he belongs totally to God. Groups may sing bhajans (hymns) or prepare garlands or perform some act of service.

At the end of puja and probably at the end of any visit to the Mandir, prashad is distributed, a sharing of God’s blessings with all. Visitors might receive a spoon of water put into the palm of the right hand and a handful or bag of sweets or fruits.

You might see Hindus using mala (a string of 108 beads) and mantras – such as the OM to meditate upon the nature of God. They may walk around the deity to symbolise their belief that God is at the centre of their lives. In England the mandir has become an important emblem of Hindu identity, a focus for community life and a way of transmitting culture and traditional values. So it is often used for language classes, dance and music lessons and the study of Hinduism. It is a place to meet, play and share meals.

Preparation:

Before a visit to any place of worship pupils and teachers should be aware:

• of the requirements regarding dress (if any) and behaviour
• that the visit has an educational purpose and that they are not required to participate in worship nor to affirm the beliefs of the community whose place of worship they are visiting
• of the key features to be expected in this place of worship

Before visiting a Mandir:

• introduce children to the way in which each of us has many aspects: in one day each of them may be son/daughter, brother/sister, pupil, friend, passenger …. In a similar way, Hindu scriptures show different aspects of the Devine One.
• use artefacts and stories to introduce some of the major deities: explain how they can be identified by the objects they are holding and begin to explore what they communicate, for Hindus, about the nature of God. (eg: Rama who carries a bow and quiver: the Ramayana recounts the adventures of Rama in repossessing his throne and rightful kingdom having been exiled by his father. Through Rama, God provides an example of loyalty, virtue and courage to which humans can aspire. Other forms of deity may illustrate something of the power and might of God, a God who can overturn obstacles and restore balance.)
• show photographs of the mandir to be visited (or watch a video about a mandir) and use an outline plan of the building to list what pupils can expect to do, see, hear, etc.

Etiquette on visiting a Mandir:

Hindus welcome visitors to the Mandir but have the following expectations that everyone will:

• remove their shoes (there are usually racks to leave shoes tidily)
• some mandirs may require women to cover their hair, arms and legs
• sit on the floor with their feet tucked behind so that feet are not pointing towards the deities
• it is traditional that men and women sit separately during worship (this is cultural tradition rather than a religious requirement)

In addition:

• if the visit coincides with arti, pupils should be aware that it is an act of worship and that they are expected only to observe respectfully not to participate. If pupils are offered arti they should decline politely and respectfully.
• the atmosphere in the mandir will usually be one of peaceful informality. However, it is important that visitors show respect for the building and its community in speech, behaviour and attitude
• prashad will normally be offered to visitors as they leave. Pupils and teachers should be aware of the significance of this gift and it should be accepted or declined respectfully.

Click on the link for local Hindu Mandirs.