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JOB DESCRIPTION FOR THE POSITION OF PUJARI CUM PANDIT FOR BEDFORD HINDU TEMPLE AND COMMUNITY TRUST

• TITLE OF POSITION: Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre Pujari (Pandit) 2. REPORTING & ACCOUNTABLE TO:

Chairperson, Lead of Pooja Committee FUNCTIONAL CONTACTS: Chairperson, Treasurer

• Temple Manager / Co-ordinator
• Executive Committee member
• Nominated Committee Members by authorised officer and as varied time to time
• FUNCTIONS & DIRECTIONS:

The Pujari is responsible for the following duties for the Bedford Hindu Temple and Community Trust.

• The Temple should be opened daily no earlier than and/or no later than 6pm to 8pm Mon-Fri, 9:30am to 1:30pm & 4:00pm to 8pm on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. The Opening and Closing hours set above are minimum hours and may be extended from time to time to fulfil the functional & festival celebration at the request of the Executive [NB : All Religious & Social festivals and functions will be celebrated in the temple]
• The Pujari is responsible for conducting all religious services/ceremonies at the Temple, this may be outside the above hours. He is expected to stay at the Temple during the Temple hours, which may vary from time to time as decided by the Executive Committee. If he has to leave his home/own premises, for any reason, he is expected to be back at the Temple at least 15 minutes before the Temple hours begin. All scheduled activities at the Temple are to be conducted in a timely manner.
• The Pujari will be responsible for receiving donations and revenue received by selling of Sundry Items such as, Religious Books or items recommended to be sold by the Executive Committee. All items sold must be receipted and accounted for. Any of such items given as a complimentary gift to a visitor with the authorisation of the Executive Committee Officers should be recorded in the register.
• All money received in the temple or outside the Temple anytime, anywhere by way of Donations, Aarati, Guru Dakshina, Pooja Services Money, Pooja Process Money, Pooja Samagri sales, or any other religious services, what so ever, will go to the General Donation Box of the Temple at the end of the Activities. Guru Dakshina will be adjusted in the salary package.
• Any services, whether at the Temple or outside the Temple, performed after hours will be noted in a notebook for reference in case of emergency, and such service will be performed only with a permission being obtained from an authorised officer. Charges for various services will be set by the Executive Committee of the Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre and the proportion of 50% of the revenue and Guru Dakshina to be allocated to the Pujari for such after-hours services provided outside the Temple for Pooja, etc [For any services provided in the temple (regardless of the time), all revenue including Guru Dakshina will remain in full with the Bedford Hindu Temple and Community Centre.
• The Pujari shall not solicit any undue advice to any devotee for personal, family or financial gain that may endanger the credibility of the Temple.
• Devotees visiting the Temple should be the Pujari’s First priority. When Practical and Feasible, devotees entering the Temple must be greeted by the Pujari at the Alter (for not more than 2-3 minutes) and be provided with Aachman, Prasaad, etc. Day to Day inventory of such prasaadam should be monitored by the Pujaari. Any requirements must be notified to the Temple Manager well in advance. All religious needs and supplies including groceries and Dry Prasad will be handled by the Executice Committee and its appointed person. The Temple Manager must be informed well in advance of any special grocery items needed for any auspicious days at the Temple.
• Any formal Pooja or Religious activity performed for Devotees in the Temple Premises must be recorded in the Register.
• If there are any problems / issues with the Maintenance of the Temple, the Chairperson and /or the Secretary of the BHT must be informed immediately and he/she may designate a person responsible to act on the matter
• The Pujari is encouraged to discuss in detail the religious activities that the Executive Committee expect of the Temple and provide religious guidance to the Executive Committee well in advance of the scheduled activity. He must attend all Religious Committee Meetings.
• The Pujari is to engage only in activities related to the religious services to the Temple. He is only to engage in any other activity at the Temple, eg Horoscope reading, Palm Reading, Jyotish, Kundli, Graha, etc. and any other activity or services, which is duly authorised by the Executive Committee and such services are only allowed at the time set aside for this purpose.
• The Pujari will be responsible to ensure that Diyas are alight during the Temple hours.
• Suprabhatam Vandana (Awaken God), Sandhya Vandana (Put God to Sleep) and offering of the daily Prasad to God are among the daily duties of the Pujari. The first offering of Prasad is to be carried out daily, the ingredients will be provided for by the Temple. The Main Puja of the invocation of the Gods must be performed daily.
• All altar cleaning must be done by the Pujari. Only nominated volunteers/Devotees may be asked to help whenever help is required.
• Changing of Gods clothes will be the responsibility of the Pujari. He is the only person to co-ordinate this activity in consultation with the Lead of the Pooja Commitee. He may get help for this only from the Executive Committee members or its appointee when necessary in his presence.
• The Pujari must promote Culture and Education among the youth and young children.
• The Pujari is to train devotees and local Pundits (only authorised by the Executive Committee) to enable backup for all daily functions in case of need
• The Pujari is to maintain excellence in Public Relations with devotees and Executive Committee at all time.
• Where possible, the Pujari is to encourage the fund raising activities for the temple.
• The Executive Committee has the ultimate responsibility to decide on the various responsibilities and functions of the Pujari. If there is a request for any other activity, the Chairperson must to be approached, well in advance and a written permission obtained.

Job Type: Part-time
Part-time hours: 26 per week

Salary: From £15,600.00 per year

Benefits:

• UK visa sponsorship

Schedule:

• Every weekend
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Bedford, MK40 2HX: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 24/04/2023
Reference ID: Temple Pujari (Priest)