Hindu Worship LEARNING OBJECTIVES In this lesson we will learn about the way that Hindus worship and the symbolism of the Puja. SUCCESS CRITERIA By the end of the lesson you should be able to list the items used in worship and explain their meaning.  Hepworth 2005

Worship WORSHIP is a word we use to describe what people do when they are in a relationship with their god. People can worship through prayer, singing, dancing, meditating and reading holy books. This is what happens in a building called a place of worship.

Hindu Gods We have already learned that Hindus worship many deities (gods) – who are all part of the ONE god – just different aspects. Hanuman

Some of the gods

1. Shiva & Parvati 2. Lakshmi 3. Durga

Explaining the many gods Did you know that Eskimos have forty-eight different names for snow in their language. This is because they know snow intimately in its different variations, not because they are ignorant of the fact that all snow is the same thing. On the same level, the many thousands of Hindu deities are just different words and pictures to describe God. It also shows how important God is to Hindus.

Temples – places of worship A Hindu temple is believed to be the earthly seat of a god and the place where the god waits for its worshippers. As such, temples are sacred spaces where people can be with the gods. Many temples look like palace architecture; this is not surprising, as deities are often considered kings.

Looking after the gods Hindus believe that if proper care is not taken of the temple's gods they will abandon the temple. Priests live at the temple and take care of the gods' needs. Each day the god is washed, their clothes changed and offerings are brought to them.

But Hindus don’t have to worship at a temple! The heart of every Hindu home is its shrine: the sacred space set apart for honouring and worshiping the gods. While a particularly devout Hindu may visit a temple every day, others go there only to request a favour from the god or on festival days. Temple worship needs a priest to speak to the god for you, so most Hindus prefer to worship at home.

Puja – worshipping God at home The pujas that take place in the household shrine are the foundation of all family actions and decisions. In the home the contact between devotee and deity is direct. The size and decoration of a household shrine do not matter. The shrine may be large and impressive, an entire room or a or it may be simply a tiny niche, or even just a row of religious prints pasted on a wall.

Praying every day Everyday, one or more people in the family will honour the family’s god or goddess at their home shrine. To worship the god properly at home you have to connect to god with all your senses – worship becomes a multi sensory experience. Prayers will be chanted to the god or goddess, people bow before the god.

The five senses

The five main things used in Puja

Using your worksheet and the items in the classroom, try to match the items with the senses You will see that there are some other items used in Puja as well.

Hindu Worship LEARNING OBJECTIVES In this lesson we will learn about the way that Hindus worship and the symbolism of the Puja. 1.So how do you think Hindus worship? 2. What do you think the items used in worship represent?

Let’s check your answers

You look at the lighted lamps. You touch the ritual objects and feet of the god. You hear the ringing of the bells and the sacred chants being recited. You smell the incense. You taste the blessed food offered at the end of the ritual. Offerings are an essential part of worship. During puja worshippers present gifts that, the particular god or goddess likes: often flowers, special foods, grains, coconuts, or oils. Offerings made in the household shrine are later divided among family members. Hindus are taught that by giving, they receive, and that when they receive, they should respond with gifts.

Hindu Worship SUCCESS CRITERIA By the end of the lesson you should be able to list the items used in worship and explain their meaning. 1.Can you have a go at listing the items used in Puja? 2.What do you think these items represent?