Worship in Hinduism - Hindu temples Flashcards
name of Hindu temples?
mandirs
how big are temples?
ranges in size; can be a small structure to a massive complex
shikara - define and which style of temple?
tower/vertical structure
garghagriha
cube/inner sanctum
mandap
porch-like structure
what do the steps to the mandap resemble?
struggle to reach moksha
what do the courtyards in the southern style symbolise?
mini pilgrimage
what does the design of the southern style temple allow worshippers to do?
a circumambulation of the murti
what is the temple though to be for?
house of God on earth to shelter murtis
where is the murti placed and what is the symbolism for this?
inner sanctum; fruit in a seed/atman in the body
what is the ground plan called and why is it considered sacred?
mandala - represents the whole cosmos, power of the divine in centered in the square shape which radiates out from centre to heaven through the shikara
why are temples typically colourful and alive?
evokes all the sense as it is the house of God
how frequently do devotees visit a temple?
depends on the individual - can be frequent or to attend ceremonies/festivals
what kind of worship takes place in temples?
private worship, communal celebration or event
why might devotees visit a temple?
for samskaras, to meditate or to ask God for help
what can devotees witness at temples?
darsan
what do devotees do at temples?
remove shoes, ring bell to announce intention to worship, honours murtis and brings gifts, recieves blessings and darsan, sings/listens to sermons, says prayers and mantras
when can’t a devotee enter a temple?
when polluted e.g menstruation of after contact with death
what do priests do at a temple?
conduct both traditional and formal rituals, can perform Vedic havan rituals, chants verses from Vedas, performs arti ceremony, offers worshippers prasad and blesses them, prepare murtis and tends to them
what does the arti ceremony involve?
waving lamp in front of murtis in devotion whilst ringing a bell, leading chants and mantras in Sanskrit
why can only priests approach murtis?
murtis are consecrated
what is yajna?
sacrifice of animals/food to deity of choice in sacred fire
where is yajna performed?
outside in public
who performs yajna?
specially trained priests in Vedic mantras and actions
what happens during yajna?
praise and ask for favours of the gods such as good harvest or fertility
what does the fire enable the sacrifice to do?
raise up to the gods (Agni)
what is yajna now referred to as?
havan/homa
who is havan/homa usually led by and why?
Brahmin priests as rituals are complex and powerful
what is now offered during havan/homa?
ghi, sweets, fruits
what has havan/homa been mostly replaced with?
puja, arti and murti worship
where is havan/homa performed?
at home or in temples
how long is havan/homa?`
can vary from few minutes to years
what is the first stage of havan/homa?
kindling and consecrating the fire
what is the second stage of havan/homa?
invocation of various deities
what is the third stage of havan/homa?
making offerings into the fire
one example of a festival dedicated to Lord Jagannatha?
Ratha Yatra - colourful chariots containing murtis are pulled along by devotees and it considered to be auspicious, devotees go to have darsan in attempt to ensure moksha
festival of light?
Diwali - divas are filled with oil and lit to signify the triumph of good over evil
