Places of Worship videos - Hinduism

Video duration: 10 minutes approximately.

The Mandir

This film follows the director of the Vivekananda Centre Mr Jay Lakhani on a tour of the Hindu Mandir.

The centre itself was formerly a Methodist church but was converted into a Hindu Mandir as the Hindu community in west London expanded. London has a large Hindu community catering for people from many backgrounds and walks of life.

In this film, Mr Jay Lakhani introduces the core beliefs of Hinduism and outlines the important features of the main worship room, or Mandir. Mr Lakhani explains the place of various artefacts found in shrines and explains the symbolism associated with them. The importance of Puja for the Hindu community is clearly shown.

Places of Worship videos:

Introduction • Buddhism • Christianity - Anglican • Christianity - Baptist • Christianity - Orthodox • Islam • Judaism • Sikhism

TEACHERS NOTES

This film is in line with the national expectations for Religious Education as outlined by the non-statutory guidelines for RE. Learning objectives for levels 1-8 in both attainment targets, Learning about Religions & Learning from Religions can be drawn from this film.

Students should be able to recognize, identify, describe and show understanding of the features of religious life and practice in Hinduism. They should also be able to explain the beliefs and teachings arising from the film and relate some religious practices seen here to the lifestyles of the worshippers.

By comparing the lifestyles of Hindus with their own, and identifying what influences these people of faith, students should be able to come to a greater appreciation of what it is to be a person of faith and the importance it holds for that person.

SUGGESTED QUESTIONS

1. The congregation of the Mandir are performing puja or worship. What are the main features of these devotions? What benefits arise from the chants? What do you think people gain from such an act of worship?

2. The Mandir is very colourful and has a number of different shrines to various deities. In what ways does the architecture and layout of the Mandir help people in their devotions? Is it helpful to the worshippers to have a traditional design for the Mandir?

3. Hindu devotions can be both congregational and individualistic. What does this mean? In what ways does puja aid spiritual growth?