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Puja: different Hindu expressions

I can explain why puja is important in daily life.

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New
New

Puja: different Hindu expressions

I can explain why puja is important in daily life.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Hindu worship is called puja.
  2. Puja has many symbolic parts to it.
  3. Puja can take place at home or the mandir.

Keywords

  • Puja - rituals of worship performed by Hindus

  • Symbolic - used to describe an action or object with a deeper meaning

  • Deity - a god or goddess

  • Murti - a physical representation of a deity, usually a statue

Common misconception

Hindus all have the same murti in their puja.

Hindus use different murti to ask for different aspects in their lives.

The lesson would be enhanced through using Hindu artefacts. For example, the puja tray with objects that pupils could see, touch and smell.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the Hindu place of worship called?
church
synagogue
Correct answer: mandir
Q2.
Which symbol is used to represent creation for Hindus?
Correct answer: aum
cross
dove
fish
Q3.
Hindus believe in one ultimate reality called ...
Allah
Murti
Correct answer: Brahman
Q4.
How does the story of Svetakatu help Hindus understand Brahman?
by teaching Hindus how to behave
Correct answer: by showing that Brahman is everywhere, even when they cannot see it
by explaining how salty water came into existence
by teaching the importance of deities
Q5.
The three most important forms of Brahman are Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Together they are known as the ...
Correct answer: trimurti
murti
twomutri
fourmurti
Q6.
What does the term omnipresent mean in the context of Hindu Dharma?
Brahman can be in more than one place at the same time.
Correct answer: Brahman is present everywhere in the universe.
Brahman is more powerful than any deity.
Brahman is only present during worship.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Incense is linked with which sense in puja?
Correct Answer: smell
Q2.
What is the main purpose of puja?
to celebrate festivals
Correct answer: to show love and devotion to god
to socialise with friends
Q3.
Why do Hindus clean and collect items before starting puja?
to make the puja last longer
to impress guests who come to watch
Correct answer: to prepare a clean and respectful space for worship
Q4.
Put the key parts of puja in the correct order:
1 - offerings
2 - preparation
3 - prayer and meditation
Q5.
Match each object with its significance in puja.
Correct Answer:aum,sound of creation and the universe

sound of creation and the universe

Correct Answer:bell,creates a sacred atmosphere

creates a sacred atmosphere

Correct Answer:kumkum powder,visible sign of devotion and blessings

visible sign of devotion and blessings

Correct Answer:food offerings ,symbolises gratitude and devotion

symbolises gratitude and devotion

Q6.
What do we call food offerings after they are placed in front of the murti?
Correct Answer: Prasad

Additional material

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Lesson appears in

UnitReligious education / Hindus: how do Hindus see Brahman?

Religious education

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