Analyse and explain the role and function of the leaders in the Mandir

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Analyse and explain the role and function of the leaders in the Mandir

(ii) Most mandirs are lead by the highest caste, Brahmins who are seen as a leader or teacher who sets an example for the community. They are well educated therefore they are highly respected. However, the leaders could also be Gurus, a spiritual teacher or Swami, a saint. In small village temples, they normally have part-time non-Brahmin leaders but in larger temples, they normally have fulltime Brahmins.

A mandir is a house for deity/ deities so the priest's role is to care for them. At dawn, the priest will wake up the deity and carry the image to the shrine room, where it is washed, dried and dressed. At night, the image will be brought back to the bedroom. Everyday, the priest will sound a conch shell to mark the start of the day. There are five daily obligations that he must follow:

Firstly, he must worship Brahman everyday. This could be done directly or through other Gods. Secondly, he will have to give reverence to saints and holy men by reading the Vedas, usually consisting of the Gayatri Mantra, which is one