Thinking Backwards
Recall: Why Do People Pray?
In an earlier lesson, we looked at reasons people pray. Can you name at least 4 different types of prayer?
Recall: The Qur'an
We studied the Qur'an as Islam's holy text. What makes Arabic important for Muslims? And what is a hafiz?
Today's Big Idea
Imagine worship that uses ALL FIVE senses at once — sight, sound, smell, taste, touch. What would that feel like? What might it help you experience? That's what Hindu puja is. It's not just words or thoughts — it's a full sensory experience of connecting with the divine.
Puja: Hindu Worship
What is Puja?
Puja is worship in Hinduism. For most Hindu families, puja happens at home — not in temples. Many Hindu homes have a shrine with murtis (sacred statues or images) of deities they have chosen to worship. Every day, family members perform puja.
Home Puja: Step by Step
1. Ring the Bell
The worshipper rings a bell to alert the deity that someone is coming to worship. It also focuses the mind on the present moment.
2. Light the Diya
A diya (oil lamp) is lit before the murti. The flame represents knowledge and the removal of darkness.
3. Make Offerings
Flowers, fruit, and food are offered to the murti. These show respect and gratitude to the deity.
4. Wave Incense
Incense is lit and waved before the murti. The smoke carries prayers upward and fills the space with fragrance.
5. Chant Mantras
Sacred words (mantras) are chanted or sung. Bhajans (devotional songs) may also be sung to express love for the deity.
6. Apply Tilak
A sacred mark is applied to the forehead using ash, sandalwood paste, or coloured powder. This shows the worshipper has been blessed.
Temple Puja (Mandir)
In a temple (mandir), puja is more elaborate and is usually led by a priest called a pujari. The murti in a temple is usually larger and more ornate. The priest washes and dresses the murti, offers food, and leads worship.
Darshan: Seeing and Being Seen
Arti: Waving Flames
Arti is a key moment in temple worship. A priest (or devotee) waves a tray of burning oil lamps (or flames) in front of the murti while singing. Worshippers then pass their hands through the smoke and touch their eyes and forehead — this is seen as receiving the deity's blessing.
Prasad: The Blessed Food
Murtis: Not Idols, but Windows
Common Misconception
Some people think Hindus "worship idols," as if the statue itself is a god. This misses the point. In Hindu theology, a murti is not the god itself — it's a focus for worship, like a window into the divine. Hindus believe that the divine presence can inhabit the murti, making it a point of connection. The murti is treated with respect: it's washed, dressed in fine clothes, and offered food — like welcoming an honoured guest into your home.
Puja and the Five Senses
Sight
The murti, the decorated shrine, the flames of the diya and arti, the colours of the offerings.
Sound
The bell ringing, mantras being chanted, bhajans (devotional songs) being sung.
Smell
Incense, flowers, sandalwood paste — fragrances fill the prayer space.
Taste
Prasad (blessed food) — usually fruit, sweets, or rice. Eating it is part of receiving blessing.
Touch
The tilak applied to the forehead, the warmth of the arti flames, the texture of the murti or shrine.
Key Terms
- Puja: Hindu worship, usually performed at home or in a temple.
- Murti: A sacred image or statue of a deity, used as a focus for worship.
- Mandir: A Hindu temple.
- Shrine: A sacred space or altar where worship happens.
- Arti: A ceremony of waving flames before a murti.
- Prasad: Food blessed by being offered to a deity, then distributed to worshippers.
- Darshan: The experience of seeing (and being seen by) the divine through the murti.
- Bhajan: A devotional song sung in worship.
- Tilak: A sacred mark on the forehead, applied during or after puja.
- Diya: An oil lamp, lit during puja.
Exploring Puja
Activity 1: Match the Senses
Puja engages all five senses. For each sense, match it to the correct part of puja:
Match these...
Senses: Sight | Sound | Smell | Taste | Touch
Parts of Puja: Bell ringing and chanting | Incense | Prasad (blessed food) | The murti and arti flames | Tilak and warmth of flames
Work in pairs or alone. Write down your matches, then check the Encounter tab if you're unsure.
Activity 2: Idol Worship or Divine Window?
There's often confusion about whether Hindu puja is "idol worship." Read these statements and decide: Would a Hindu agree or disagree?
Statement 1
"The murti IS the god, so we worship it as a god."
Hindu view: Disagree. The murti is a focus for worship, a way to connect with the divine, not the divine itself.
Statement 2
"The murti helps us see the divine and feel its presence in our home."
Hindu view: Agree. This is the purpose of the murti.
Statement 3
"If we break the murti, the deity is hurt or offended."
Hindu view: Not quite. The deity is not trapped in the stone or metal. But we would be disrespectful to treat a sacred object carelessly.
Think Deeper
Can you think of something in your own life that's important not because of what it physically is, but because of what it represents? (A photo of someone you love, a religious text, a flag, a trophy?) What makes it meaningful?
Applying Your Learning
Discussion Questions
Pick two of these questions to discuss with a partner, small group, or write about:
Question 1: Why might engaging all five senses make worship more meaningful to someone? Does it matter that you can see, touch, smell, and taste things, or does it all happen in your mind?
Question 2: Muslims say NO images or statues of God. Hindus worship THROUGH images (murtis). Who makes the better argument? Why?
Question 3: Could you worship at home as meaningfully as in a temple? What might you gain or lose in each setting?
Question 4: What would a Quaker think of Hindu puja? Remember: Quakers worship in silence, with no images, music, or ritual. What would be familiar to a Quaker, and what would be completely alien?
Writing Task
Compare Hindu Puja with One Other Form of Worship
Choose one of these (from lessons you've studied): Islamic salah, Christian worship, or another tradition. Write at least 80 words comparing puja with your chosen form. What is similar? What is different? Use key terms.
Evaluating the Statement
Discuss Both Sides
"Using images and statues in worship helps people connect with God."
✓ FOR (Agree)
A visual focus helps people concentrate. Many people find it easier to pray when they have something to look at. Hindu puja and Catholic worship both use images. The senses can draw us deeper into spirituality. A murti or crucifix is like a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds.
✗ AGAINST (Disagree)
God (or the divine) is everywhere and invisible — you don't need a statue to connect. Images can distract from true spiritual practice. Muslims argue that creating images goes against God's will. Quakers and some Protestants find their deepest connection through silence and simplicity, not objects. Focusing on an image might make people worship the image instead of the divine.
Quick-Fire Recall: Units 2-4
1. What is a hafiz? Someone who has memorised the entire Qur'an.
2. Name one style of Christian worship. Examples: Liturgical (formal, written prayers), Charismatic (spontaneous, emotional), Quaker (silent).
3. What do Muslims believe about images in worship? Images of God or prophets should not be used. God is beyond representation.
4. What is prasad? Food blessed by being offered to a deity, then distributed to worshippers.
5. What is the Talmud? Jewish writings that explain and interpret the Torah.
Reviewing This Lesson
Test Yourself (90 seconds)
How much can you recall in 90 seconds?
Write or say out loud as much as you remember about puja, murtis, arti, and prasad.
What Can You Do Now?
Think About Your Learning
Reflection
Which part of puja interested you most? Was it the multi-sensory experience, the idea of darshan, the role of the murti, or something else? Why?
What's one thing you'll remember about Hindu worship? It might be a key term, an image, a comparison, or a question you still have.