Hindu Mandir and how they assist belief.

Essay by sykopowerHigh School, 10th gradeA+, May 2003

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The Mandir complex is intended to bring a worshipper closer to god, and to reflect Hindu belief. Worshippers normally enter the Mandir through the side Goparum; this reminds the worshipper that they are leaving the outside world to come into god's presence. When they leave the Mandir, they can leave through one of four doors, each facing a different direction. This symbolises that worshippers should show god's love everywhere in the world. The grounds are well kept and include many flowers. The flowers remind the worshipper that god is in everything, and of the perfect nature of god. On the lawn, there is a bronze statue of Lord Krishna and his gopis. This reminds worshippers of the gopis love and devotion to Lord Krishna, and how they too should show the same love and devotion to god. The grounds are also meant to please the worshipper; one of the sanskrit synonyms for the Mandir is Prãsãda, which means pleases both god and men.

The cream walls symbolises the purity of god. The building resembles a mountain as gods in Hinduism have always been associated with mountains, because mountains link Earth and Heaven, so link man and god. The Shikharas (pinnacles,) draw the eyes heavenwards towards god The worshipper forgets worldly values, and realises their comparative nothingness before god; this is humbling and helps the worshipper to come with the right attitude to worship. The building is also meant to be an image of god. This table shows the different external parts and what they symbolise.

To enter the Mandir, worshippers would traditionally proceed up the 30 marble steps, (Vimana). As they do this they begin a spiritual journey to come closer to god. Removing shoes is a sign of respect for the gods, and shows humility; practically, it...