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Hindu Temples Facts & Worksheets

Most Hindus offer worship at temples and in their homes over alters. Daily prayers are said at family altars. When significant issues or significant occasions arise, temples are sought after.

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Most Hindus offer worship at temples and in their homes over alters. Daily prayers are said at family altars. When significant issues or significant occasions arise, temples are sought after.

See the fact file below for more information about Hindu Temples, or you can download our 27-page Hindu Temples worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

  • Hindu temples are “artificial mountains” constructed as objects of worship erected to contain the image of a chosen deity, in contrast to Christian churches, which are places of worship. The unchanging Lord resides there, according to the Upanishads, “at the center of this phenomenal world, within all its changing forms. “
  • Additionally, unlike Christian churches, worshipers typically do not visit temples to hear sermons. Instead, these are gathering places where individuals worship their gods privately and mingle with others they meet there.
  • In the past, temples were solely open to powerful lords, Brahmin priests, and monarchs. Non-Hindus are still typically not allowed inside Hindu temples nowadays.

BASIC FORM OF HINDU TEMPLE

  • GARBHAGRIHA. It is also known as a sanctum sanctorum or “womb house,” and is a shrine room that goes out onto a porch and holds an image of the deity.  
  • MANDAPA. It is the temple’s entrance. A great number of worshipers can fit inside a portico or a colonnaded (a series of columns spaced at regular intervals) hall. Here, dances and other forms of entertainment are practiced. Many temples have mandapas, also known as Ardhamandapa, Mandapa, and Mahamandapa, in various sizes.
  • SHIKHARA OR VIMANA. They resemble a mountain that is spired like a standalone temple. South Indian temples contain Vimana, while North Indian temples contain Shikhara. Vimana has a pyramidal shape, but Shikhara has a curved shape.
  • AMALAKA. At the summit of the temple is a structure resembling a stone disc; they are typical of temples in North India.
  • KALASHA. It is typically seen in North Indian temples and is the highest point of the temple.
  • ANTARALA (VESTIBULE). Antarala serves as a passageway between the Garbhagriha and the mandapa, the main hall of the temple.
  • JAGATI. It is a typical feature of North Indian temples and has an elevated platform for sitting and worshipping.
  • VAHANA. Along with a standard pillar or Dhvaj that is positioned axially in front of the shrine, it serves as the mount or conveyance of the temple’s principal deity.

CLASSIFICATION OF INDIAN TEMPLES

  • Two major types of architecture are recognized: the Nagara (North) and Dravida (South) styles. While architecture evolved slightly differently in different places, such as the distinctive features of Orissa, Kashmir, and Bengal temples, there are two main categories.
  • NAGARA. The sikhara tower of Nagara temples contains ornate arches known as gavakshas, a sloping curve as it rises, and is topped by an amalaka, a sizable fluted stone disk as well as a tiny pot and finial. In the end, there would be seven rathas on each side of the walls of Nagara temples, which present a complicated exterior and numerous niches.
  • DRAVIDA. The Dravida towers, sometimes referred to as vimana, are more shaped like domes and have cornices on top of them. The entablatures on the outer walls of Dravida temples are typically sculptured. 
  • A ritual bathing tank or lake (nandi mandapa), a barrel-vaulted ceiling (shala), and a walled courtyard with a gate (gopura) are additional features of southern Indian temples. 
  • Over time, these features would grow even larger and more elaborate than the temple itself. All of these characteristics may be seen in the magnificent Brihadishvara Temple complex at Tanjavur, which dates to the 11th century CE.
  • Sometimes, the Nagara and Dravida orders were combined to form the Vesara style of temples as an independent style.

HINDU TEMPLE DESIGN

  • Hindu temples must meet the following requirements according to an ancient architectural treatise called the “arthashashra”:
  1. They must be made of stone;
  2. They must have a pillared hall that is followed by a tower-topped sanctum;
  3. They must be adorned on the outside with carvings of Hindu gods and goddesses, as well as scenes from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana
  • In a Hindu temple, various architectural features have symbolic or spiritual meanings.
  1. The worshipper’s heart serves as the primary shrine.
  2. The tower stands for the spirit’s ascent to heaven.
  3. A priest may read, or more commonly recite, the Vedas to the assembled worshipers, but readings of prayers and mantras may be done by any “twice-born” Hindu.
  • Great shrines and temples frequently have mountain-related elements. Some are decorated in white to resemble the Himalayas‘ snow-capped peaks. 
  • The majority of temples have an outside wall with “gopuras” (gates), which stand for the four directions of the universe and are thought to mark the transition between the universe and the outside world. 

TEMPLE SCRIPTURES

  • In India, sculpture and architecture are intricately intertwined. Therefore, a partial and inaccurate view of Indian architecture is offered if one ignores the elaborate sculptural adornment that monuments are coated in.
  • Large niches in the sanctum’s three external walls of the Hindu temple feature carved images that represent various facets of the deity housed inside. 
  • For example, the niches of a temple dedicated to Vishnu might show his incarnations; a temple dedicated to Shiva might show his many heroic deeds; and a temple dedicated to the Great Goddess might show her battles with numerous monsters. Regional variations also exist; in the eastern state of Orissa, for instance, Shiva’s family—including his wife, Parvati, and their sons, the god of surmounting obstacles, Ganesha, and the warlike Skanda—is typically shown in the niches of Shiva temples.
  • The enshrined deity’s legend is highlighted in a succession of niches, while several other gods typically have their own area. In addition, the walls of temples are adorned with mithunas, or loving couples, and repeating banks of foliage that resemble scrolls. They were seen as auspicious themes since they stood for expansion, richness and success.
  • A temple’s placement of images is meticulously planned; for example, river goddesses (Ganga and Yamuna) can be seen at the entrances in a Nagara temple, while Dwarapalas are typically found on the gateways or gopurams of Dravida temples. Likewise, mithunas (erotic images), navagrahas (the 9 auspicious planets), and yakshas are also placed at the entrances to guard them.

HINDU TEMPLE CUSTOMS

  • Some temples and/or portions of temples (especially the inner sanctuary) are off-limits to non-Hindus. 
  • Hindu temples forbid women from entering while they are menstruating. There are two doorways in some temples. One is designated for lower caste and menstruating individuals. The other is intended for regular Hindus.
  • Visitors to Hindu temples that accept non-Hindus are typically required to take off their shoes and hats. 
  • Short skirts and pants are frequently viewed as unsuitable attire. Sometimes, a sarong or robe is offered to men entering in shorts. Women’s legs and arms should be covered.
  • Always move clockwise when inside or outside a temple, keeping your right side toward the thing being revered. Counterclockwise movement is considered unlucky and insulting to the temple god.
  • Occasionally, visitors to temples are given portions of banana or coconut. Being given these things is regarded as a great honor. It should be taken and consumed. Refusing is viewed as sacrilegious. Give it to someone else if you are hesitant to eat it for health reasons. Don’t discard it.
  • Every day, millions of people are fed at the temples of India. They are among the top buyers of food in the world.

Hindu Temples Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Hindu Temples across 27 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Hindu Temples. Most Hindus offer worship at temples and in their homes over alters. Daily prayers are said at family altars. When significant issues or significant occasions arise, temples are sought after.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Hindu Temples Facts
  2. Temple of Truth
  3. Back to Basics!
  4. Ramappa Temple
  5. Outside India
  6. Nagara vs. Dravida
  7. Temple Fun!
  8. Temple Hunt
  9. It’s a Fact!
  10. What Women Want
  11. Reel Talk!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of Hindu temples?

Hindu temples serve as sacred places of worship and are dedicated to various deities in the Hindu pantheon. They provide a space for devotees to offer prayers, perform rituals, and seek spiritual guidance. Temples are not just places of religious worship but also centers of cultural and community activities.

What is the significance of the idol or deity in a Hindu temple?

The idol or deity in a Hindu temple represents the divine presence of a specific god or goddess. Devotees believe that the deity’s presence in the temple sanctum or garbhagriha (inner sanctum) allows them to establish a personal connection with the divine, seek blessings, and express their devotion through rituals, offerings, and prayers.

How are Hindu temples constructed and designed?

Hindu temple architecture varies in style and design across different regions of India. However, many Hindu temples share common architectural elements, including a main entrance (gopuram), a central shrine (garbhagriha), an outer hall (mandapa), and often a circumambulatory path around the sanctum. Temples are adorned with intricate carvings, sculptures, and religious symbolism.

What are some common rituals and practices in Hindu temples?

Devotees visiting Hindu temples often engage in various rituals and practices, such as offering flowers, incense, and lamps to the deity. They may also participate in aarti (ritual worship with lighted lamps), pradakshina (circumambulation of the sanctum), and meditation. Some temples conduct elaborate ceremonies, known as pujas, at specific times of the day.

How do Hindu festivals play a role in temple activities?

Hindu temples are central to the celebration of various festivals throughout the year. During these festivals, the temples come alive with special decorations, processions, cultural performances, and religious rituals. Some major Hindu festivals, such as Diwali, Navaratri, and Maha Shivaratri, involve extensive temple observances, drawing large crowds of devotees to seek the blessings of the deities.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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