Religious Worker - Priest Assistant
Salary Per Annum:
£18,000 - £20,000. We comply with the National Minimum Wage regulations, provide holiday pay and other benefits according to the laws of UK.
Hours Per Week:
35
Job Status:
Full Time
Location:
London Sri Murugan Temple, 78 Church Road, Manor Park, London E12
Reports To:
Chief Priest
Responsible To:
President
Posting Date:
10 February 2024
Closing Date:
09 March 2024
Temple Overview
London Sri Murugan Temple is a Hindu Religious charity which was formed in 1975. In 2005, the Trustees opened a grand new Temple built mostly in granite with a 50 feet Rajagopuram (Tower) conforming to the South Indian (agama shastra) architectural principle. The Temple has become a phenomenal success not only as a place of worship but also as a community centre for social and cultural services. London Sri Murugan Temple is now a well established landmark in the London Borough of Newham. Many students from local schools, visitors from further afield and international countries visit the Temple on a regular basis.
Our priests are well renowned and have acquired their skills and knowledge via the most prestigious Hindu educational centres in Tamil Nadu. They are regularly asked to visit and perform prayers / poojas at various national and international events and auspicious functions.
Job Purpose
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To contribute to organisational growth through the quality service to ensure the spiritual needs and requirement of the devotees.
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To ensure all activities are carried out at the scheduled time and in a sanctified manner.
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Be of exemplary character befitting the position of the Priest Assistant and adhere to temple processes and policies.
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Have sufficient training and experience under a senior priest in Hindu Vedas and agamas to assume the role and duties of the Priest Assistant.
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Willing to accept both Saiva and Vaishnava faith of Hinduism as the Temple has both deities.
Key Working Relationships
Internal | External |
|---|---|
Board of Trustees | Devotees |
Administrators | Board of Trustees from other Temple(s) |
Ancillary Staff | Other Hindu Organizations |
Roles & Responsibilities
The post holder should have previous experience of working in South Indian Hindu temples.
Responsible for assisting the priests in performing homam, abhishekam (divine consecrations), alangaram (decorating deities) Archanai (chanting mantras) and pooja (ceremonial worship) in accordance with the strict Hindu agamas (rules) and traditions of the Temple.
Post holder should affirm their faith as a Hindu as the role involves assisting in worshipping and performing poojas for the Hindu Gods in a traditional way and offer of neiveithyam as part of accompanying pooja rituals to the deities.
Detailed working knowledge of the various steps involved in some of the most common worship services, ability to chant special prayers that may be in Sanskrit or vernacular Indian languages (mantras or stotrams) and should be familiar with the necessary items for different ceremonies and rituals.
To ensure that the deities and the altar/sanctum are always clean and tidy. This includes the polishing of the metal deities, disposal of all used flowers/garlands, arranging the deities’ clothing and placing them neatly in the appropriate cupboards. To ensure the pooja items and deities clothing cupboards a kept tidy on a weekly basis.
Direct all requests by devotees for special Pooja (prayers), Abishekam and Havan (homam) to the Temple office.
Liaise with the admin team, president, secretary and/or other designated Trustees where appropriate.
Carry out such other reasonable religious duties as may be requested from time to time by President, Secretary and/or other board of Trustees.
Other Requirements
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Applicant should have Brahmin lineage of priesthood.
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3+ years of experience working in a temple after attending a religious based educational centre (Vedagama Vidyalayam)
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Trained and well versed in one of the many branches of Shaiva Agama to enable the carrying out of the priestly assistant duties.
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Must have good communication skills and demonstrate the ability of having good interpersonal skills to work with other priests, devotees, temple staff and board of trustees.
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Able to conduct Poojas in both the Saivaite and Vaishnavaite traditions.
How to apply:
Please apply by sending a CV/written application to:
The President & Secretary
London Sri Murugan Temple
78 Church Road, Manor Park
London, E12 6AF
Email: admin@londonsrimurugan.org