Senior Poojari

Shree Swaminarayan Temple - Willesden; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A religious institution in Greater London is seeking a senior poojari to perform daily care of deities and participate in religious events. The role includes living on the Temple premises with provided accommodation, meals, and clothing. This position requires specific training from the NarNarayanDev diocese Swamis. Interested candidates should reach out for more details on duties involved.

Benefits

Self-contained accommodation

Meals provided

Clothing appropriate for the role

Qualifications

• Evidence of training from NarNarayanDev diocese Swamis is essential.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily care of deities and recite relevant scriptures.
• Prepare for religious events according to the Hindu calendar.
• Accompany deities to devotees’ homes for blessings.

Education

Training from NarNarayanDev diocese Swamis

Job description

Overview

Shree Swaminarayan Temple – Willesden (the Temple) is recruiting to employ a senior poojari, a religious worker in a non-pastoral role, to replace the current employee. The Temple is part of the NarNarayanDev diocese of the Swaminarayan Sect of Hinduism, so it has deities (murti’s) of the Swaminarayan tradition installed. Therefore, any applicant must evidence training from NarNarayanDev diocese Swamis to carry out this role.

Responsibilities

• Daily duties will include performing the daily care of the deities from morning wake-up through to evening sleep, carrying out Aarti, and preparation & performing of the deities Thaal (food offering). The relevant verses from Swaminarayan scriptures should be recited when carrying out these daily duties.
• Prepare all items for pooja in readiness for all religious events according to the Hindu calendar with special attention to the Swaminarayan Sampraday, as directed by the Temple.
• Accompany the deities to padhramnis (visit to devotees’ home) for blessings.

This is a summary of the role; please contact the Temple should you wish to discuss the duties in more detail.

Accommodation & Employment terms

Self-contained accommodation shall be provided on Temple premises and the Poojari shall be required to reside there as part of the appointment. Thus, a charge for rent and utilities will be issued. Clothing and meals are provided by the Temple at no cost. The Poojari shall have a free hand at meal preparation and clothing shall be provided appropriate to the role of a Poojari.

Additional Information

This vacancy is exempt from the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, ref. S7(2)(e). The Temple has claimed an exception under the Race Relations Act due to religious requirements. The Temple also claimed and exemption under the Employment Equality regulations with regards to the religion or belief due to strict religious requirement. This vacancy meets the requirements of the National Minimum Wage Act.