Year 3 and Hindu Prayers

Date: 28th Mar 2023 @ 2:09pm

This morning, the children in Year 3 completed their R.E. topic ‘How, where and why do people pray?’  with a delve into Hinduism.

We have already studied the ways in which Christians (Christianity) and Muslims (Islam) pray and the reasons for their prayers. 

While the children were responding thoughtfully to their key question, they were joined by Kayal’s mum who kindly brought in some objects such as a bell, a statue of Ganesha, incense, murtis and kum kum powder with which the children were blessed, just like on our visit to church.

Our special vocabulary included:

Mandir: a Hindu temple; a holy building.

Murtis: images of Hindu Gods such as Ganesha and Hanuman.

Puja: Hindu prayer

Shrine: a place in the home where Hindus make offerings such as flowers and food.

Kum Kum Powder: a powder, white or red in colour, mixed with water and placed on the forehead as a blessing from God.

Here’s what some of the children thought.

“Even though I am not a Hindu, I was pleased to get blessed.”

“I noticed some similarities between Hindu prayer and Christian prayer such as they both pray in a holy building and at home.”

“Kayal’s mum gave us incense and powder to smell.  It was lovely and fragrant .”

“I enjoyed ringing the bell to wake up God.”

“I loved the flowers because the colours were so pretty.”

“The murtis and statue as it reminded me of what the Gods looked like.”

“The one God is called Brahman.  Hindus have a Trimurti which is similar to the Christian Holy Trinity.”

Thank you to so much to Kayal and her mum for sharing their faith with us in school this morning. The children gained a wonderful religious and spiritual experience.

Please enjoy the photographs. As ever, I was so proud of the behaviour and enthusiasm of all the children.  They are continually a credit to us all.