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Teachers’ notesCommon features of a mandir
Hindu mandir designs follow the ‘divine principles’ of Vishvakarma, the deity responsible for architects and craftsmen. Some common features of a mandir include:
Murtis: sacred images of the deities, which are used as a focus for worship. Faithful Hindus visit the mandir regularly to see the murtis and offer reverence to them. Offerings of water, flowers, milk and other items are made to the murtis several times a day in sacred ceremonies.
Garbhagriha: (meaning ‘womb chamber’) an inner-chamber housing the murtis (sacred images), which depict the gods to whom the temple is dedicated.
Mahamandapa: the main assembly hall.
Gopuram: a richly decorated tower marking the boundary between the sacred place and the world outside.
Shikhara: towers covered with ornate carvings depicting Hindu mythology and often representing mountain peaks. They are usually built directly over the inner-sanctum. Shikharas tend to be found in the north of India, while gopurams are often found in the south.
Dhwaja: (meaning ‘flag’) are flown on the top of the mandir to symbolise faith and worship.
Other features: Some mandirs also contain, kitchens, dining areas, halls for cultural performances, shops selling religious artifacts, books and souvenirs, and racks for removing shoes.
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London’s mandir quiz
The Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, London, was Europe’s first traditional Hindu temple. Use the information in the ‘Mandir Concepts’ and ‘Mandir Construction’ sections (found within the ‘Mandir’ section) at www.mandir.org to answer the following questions about this amazing building:
1. In which year was the mandir opened?
2. From which two key materials is it built?
3. How high is the mandir?
4. Whose dream was it to build the mandir in London?
5. Which language does the word ‘mandir’ come from?
6. What does ‘darshan’ mean?
7. What is ‘thal’?
8. On what date was the first stone cut for the mandir?
9. How many pillars does it contain?
10. How many craftsmen were involved in carving the ceiling arches and stairs?
11. What is the total area of the mandir?
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London’s mandir quiz answers
(Note: Children can find the answers to the quiz questions using the information in the ‘Mandir Concepts’ and ‘Mandir Construction’ sections (found within the ‘Mandir’ section) at www.mandir.org As some of the text is quite ‘wordy’, younger or less able children may need assistance.)
1. In which year was the mandir opened? – 1995
2. From which two key materials is it built? – Bulgarian limestone and Italian marble
3. How high is the mandir? – 70ft
4. Whose dream was it to build the mandir in London? – Yogiji Maharaj
5. Which language does the word ‘mandir’ come from? – Sanskrit
6. What does darshan mean? – ‘seeing’ of the sacred murtis or images
7. What is thal? – regular offering of vegetarian food to the murtis
8. Which date was the first stone cut for the mandir? – 16 February 1993
9. How many pillars does it contain? – 193
10. How many craftsmen were involved in carving the ceiling arches and stairs? – 125
11. What is the total area of the mandir? – 1.5 acres
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