Lesson Plan: The Story of the Lakshman Temple, Sirpur

Class 4 English Santoor NCERT: Unit 4 Up High

Lesson Overview

Aspect	Details
Lesson	The Story of the Lakshman Temple, Sirpur (Chapter 12)
Class	4
Subject	English (L2 – Second Language)
Unit	4: Up High
Type	Informational Text / Cultural Heritage
Duration	5 Days (30–35 minutes per day)
Page Reference	Pages 143-154
Curricular Goals (NCF-SE 2023)	CG 1 (Sustains effective communication skills), CG 2 (Develops fluency in reading and comprehension), CG 3 (Expresses understanding in writing), CG 4 (Develops wide range of vocabulary)

Introduction

“The Story of the Lakshman Temple, Sirpur” is the twelfth chapter of Unit 4: Up High in the Santoor Class 4 English textbook. This chapter takes students on a fascinating journey to the Lakshman Temple in Sirpur, Chhattisgarh, one of India’s finest brick temples.

The story follows two sisters, Aarushi and Aarohi, as they visit the temple with their grandfather, Dadaji. Through their conversation, students learn about:

The temple’s history – built 1,400 years ago
Its architecture – red brick construction with terracotta texture
The builder – Queen Vasata, who built it in memory of her husband King Harshagupta
The connection to Lakshman – the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, but local folklore connects it to Lakshman
The carvings – Dashavataras (ten avatars of Vishnu), elephants, lions, and flowers
The ancient city of Shripura (Sirpur) – a centre of knowledge, trade, and religious harmony
The Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang – who visited Sirpur in the 7th century
The temple today – a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

The chapter also includes activities related to:

Comprehension questions about the temple and its history
Vocabulary building – carvings, husk, monument, incarnation, reign, monastery
Articles – ‘a’, ‘an’, and ‘the’
Role-play – imagining being Hiuen Tsang
Writing a diary entry – as Aarohi
Puzzle-making activity – creating a turtle puzzle
Understanding cultural heritage – the importance of preserving history

Learning Objectives (सीखने के उद्देश्य)

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Read and understand the story of the Lakshman Temple, Sirpur. (लक्ष्मण मंदिर, सिरपुर की कहानी को पढ़ और समझ सकेंगे।)
Identify key facts about the temple – its builder, age, architecture, and significance. (मंदिर के बारे में प्रमुख तथ्यों की पहचान कर सकेंगे – निर्माता, आयु, वास्तुकला और महत्व।)
Understand the importance of preserving cultural heritage. (सांस्कृतिक विरासत को संरक्षित करने के महत्व को समझ सकेंगे।)
Use articles (‘a’, ‘an’, ‘the’) correctly. (Articles का सही उपयोग कर सकेंगे।)
Write a diary entry based on a visit to a historical place. (ऐतिहासिक स्थान की यात्रा के आधार पर डायरी प्रविष्टि लिख सकेंगे।)
Participate in a role-play – interviewing historical figures. (भूमिका निभाने में भाग ले सकेंगे – ऐतिहासिक पात्रों का साक्षात्कार।)
Identify the different subject areas related to the chapter (mythology, architecture, history, religion). (अध्याय से संबंधित विभिन्न विषय क्षेत्रों की पहचान कर सकेंगे – पौराणिक कथा, वास्तुकला, इतिहास, धर्म।)
Appreciate the rich cultural heritage of Chhattisgarh and India. (छत्तीसगढ़ और भारत की समृद्ध सांस्कृतिक विरासत की सराहना कर सकेंगे।)

Key Vocabulary (मुख्य शब्दावली)

Story-Specific Words (कहानी से संबंधित शब्द)

English	Hindi
Temple	मंदिर (Mandir)
Carvings	नक्काशी (Nakkashi)
Husk	भूसी (Bhoosi)
Monument	स्मारक (Smarak)
Incarnation	अवतार (Avtaar)
Reign	शासन (Shaasan)
Monastery	विहार (Vihaar)
Stairs	सीढ़ियाँ (Seedhiyaan)
Steep	खड़ी (Khadi)
Archaeology	पुरातत्व (Puratatva)
Excavation	उत्खनन (Utkhanan)
Terracotta	टेराकोटा (Terracotta)
Folklore	लोककथा (Lokkatha)
Garbhagriha	गर्भगृह (Garbhagriha)
Mandapa	मंडप (Mandapa)
Shikhara	शिखर (Shikhar)

New Words (नए शब्द)

English	Hindi
Carvings	नक्काशी
Husk	भूसी
Monument	स्मारक
Incarnation	अवतार
Reign	शासन
Monastery	विहार

Subject Area Vocabulary (विषय क्षेत्र से संबंधित शब्द)

Word	Subject Area
Dashavataras	Mythology (पौराणिक कथा)
Sheshanaga	Mythology (पौराणिक कथा)
Shikhara	Architecture (वास्तुकला)
Hiuen Tsang	History (इतिहास)
Buddhist and Jain	Religion (धर्म)
Vasata	History (इतिहास)

Articles (Articles)

Article	Usage
a	Before consonant sounds
an	Before vowel sounds (a, e, i, o, u)
the	Before specific/named things

Sight Words (दृश्य शब्द)

the, and, to, of, for, with, on, at, by, from, in, it, they, their, them, he, she, his, her, was, were, had, this, that, these, those

Day-Wise Lesson Plan

Day 1: Introduction to the Story (कहानी का परिचय)

Duration: 30 minutes

Time	Activity	Hindi Term / Instruction	Teacher’s Role
5 min	Warm-up	शुभ प्रभात! (Shubh Prabhat!)	Greet students. Ask: “Have you ever visited a temple?” (क्या तुमने कभी मंदिर देखा है?) “What do you know about historical places?” (तुम ऐतिहासिक स्थानों के बारे में क्या जानते हो?)
5 min	Pre-listening	आज क्या सीखेंगे? (Aaj kya seekhenge?)	Show the title “The Story of the Lakshman Temple, Sirpur”. Ask: “Where is Sirpur?” “Today we will read a story about a very old and beautiful temple in Chhattisgarh!”
10 min	Story Narration (Part 1)	कहानी सुनो (Kahani suno)	Narrate the first part of the story (Pages 143-144): Aarushi and Aarohi visit the temple with Dadaji, learn about its age, brick construction, and connection to Lakshman.
5 min	Vocabulary Introduction	नए शब्द सीखो (Naye shabd seekho)	Introduce key words: temple, carvings, husk, monument, incarnation, reign, monastery.
5 min	Wrap-up	आज क्या सीखा? (Aaj kya seekha?)	Ask: “Who are the two girls in the story?” (Aarushi and Aarohi) “What temple did they visit?” (Lakshman Temple) “Where is it located?” (Sirpur, Chhattisgarh)

Story Summary (Part 1 – Pages 143-144):

Aarushi and Aarohi visited the famous Lakshman Temple in Sirpur with their grandfather, Dadaji. The temple looked very old with shining red bricks. Dadaji explained that the temple was built 1,400 years ago! The bricks were made using soil, sand, and paddy husk, baked in terracotta texture.
Aarohi asked how people built such a strong temple so long ago. Dadaji said they had great knowledge and skill, using natural binding materials and perfect measurements.
Aarushi wondered why it was called the Lakshman Temple when the idol looked like Lord Vishnu. Dadaji explained that the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, but local folklore connects it to Lakshman because the main statue shows Lord Vishnu sitting on Sheshanaga, the five-headed snake. In mythology, Lakshman is believed to be the incarnation of Sheshanaga.

Key Facts from Part 1:

Fact	Detail
Location	Sirpur, Chhattisgarh
Age	1,400 years old
Building Material	Red bricks with soil, sand, paddy husk
Dedicated to	Lord Vishnu
Connected to	Lakshman (incarnation of Sheshanaga)
Built by	Queen Vasata

Hindi Instructions to Use:

“Kahaani suno” (कहानी सुनो) – Listen to the story
“Lakshman Mandir kahan hai?” (लक्ष्मण मंदिर कहाँ है?) – Where is the Lakshman Temple?
“Mandir kitna purana hai?” (मंदिर कितना पुराना है?) – How old is the temple?
“Mandir kisne banaya?” (मंदिर किसने बनाया?) – Who built the temple?

Day 2: Story Narration (Part 2) and Comprehension (कहानी का दूसरा भाग और समझ)

Duration: 30 minutes

Time	Activity	Hindi Term / Instruction	Teacher’s Role
5 min	Revision	कल क्या सीखा? (Kal kya seekha?)	Quick recall: “What temple did Aarushi and Aarohi visit?” “Who built it?” “How old is it?”
10 min	Story Narration (Part 2)	कहानी पूरी सुनो (Kahani puri suno)	Narrate the rest of the story (Pages 144-147): Dadaji explains the carvings, the Dashavataras, Sirpur’s history, Hiuen Tsang’s visit, and the temple’s significance.
5 min	Comprehension Questions	प्रश्न-उत्तर (Prashn-uttar)	Ask from Pages 147-148: “Where in Chhattisgarh is the Lakshman Temple located?” “What natural binding materials were used?” “What carvings can be seen on the doors?” “What do the given words relate to?”
5 min	Discussion Activity	चर्चा (Charcha)	Use Page 148 (B): “What makes historical places interesting and attractive?” “What does the Archaeological Survey of India do?”
5 min	Wrap-up	आज क्या सीखा?	Ask: “What carvings are on the temple doors?” “Who was Hiuen Tsang?” “Why is the temple a protected monument?”

Story Summary (Part 2 – Pages 144-147):

Dadaji showed the girls the beautiful carvings on the door, which showed Lord Vishnu in his 10 avatars – the Dashavataras. The carvings of elephants stand for strength, lions for courage, and flowers for beauty.
Dadaji explained that Sirpur was once a big and rich city called “Shripura”, meaning “the home of Goddess Lakshmi.” People of all religions – Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains – lived together in peace.
A Chinese traveller named Hiuen Tsang visited Sirpur in the 7th century. He saw many Buddhist monasteries and met thousands of monks. He wrote that Sirpur was full of knowledge and trade.
Today, the temple is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). An annual fair is organised here on Maghi Purnima in February.

Key Facts from Part 2:

Fact	Detail
Carvings on Door	Dashavataras (10 avatars of Vishnu)
Symbolism	Elephants = Strength, Lions = Courage, Flowers = Beauty
Old Name of Sirpur	Shripura (Home of Goddess Lakshmi)
Religious Harmony	Hindus, Buddhists, Jains lived together
Chinese Traveller	Hiuen Tsang (visited in 7th century)
Present Status	Protected monument under ASI
Annual Fair	Maghi Purnima (February)

Comprehension Questions (Pages 147-148):

Question	Expected Answer
Where in Chhattisgarh is the Lakshman Temple located?	In Sirpur, Mahasamund district.
What natural binding materials were used?	Soil, sand, and paddy husk.
What carvings can be seen on the doors?	Dashavataras (10 avatars of Vishnu).
What do the given words relate to?	Dashavataras – Mythology, Sheshanaga – Mythology, Shripura – History, Nagara – Architecture.

Discussion Questions (Page 148 B):

Question	Possible Answer
What makes historical places interesting and attractive?	Their age, stories, architecture, and cultural significance.
What does the Archaeological Survey of India do?	It protects and preserves historical monuments.

Subject Area Matching (Page 148 A):

Word	Subject Area
Hiuen Tsang	Pilgrim/Historian
Vasata	Queen of Shripura
Sheshanaga	Mythology
Shikhara	Architecture
Buddhist and Jain	Religions

Hindi Instructions to Use:

“Mandir ke darwaze par kya nakashi hai?” (मंदिर के दरवाज़े पर क्या नक्काशी है?) – What carvings are on the temple doors?
“Sirpur ka purana naam kya tha?” (सिरपुर का पुराना नाम क्या था?) – What was the old name of Sirpur?
“Hiuen Tsang kaun the?” (ह्यूएन त्सांग कौन थे?) – Who was Hiuen Tsang?

Day 3: Vocabulary and Subject Areas (शब्दावली और विषय क्षेत्र)

Duration: 30 minutes

Time	Activity	Hindi Term / Instruction	Teacher’s Role
5 min	Revision	पुनरावृत्ति (Punaravritti)	Quick story recall. Comprehension recap.
15 min	Vocabulary and Subject Areas Activity	शब्दावली और विषय क्षेत्र	Use Page 148: “The words and names in the passage are related to different areas of learning.” Match words to their subject areas: Hiuen Tsang, Vasata, Sheshanaga, Shikhara, Buddhist and Jain.
5 min	Vocabulary Sentences	शब्दों से वाक्य	Students create sentences using new words: “The temple has beautiful carvings.” “The monument is very old.”
5 min	Wrap-up	आज क्या सीखा?	Ask: “What subject does ‘Dashavataras’ belong to?” (Mythology) “What does ‘Shikhara’ relate to?” (Architecture)

Subject Area Vocabulary (Page 148 A):

Word/Name	Subject Area	Hindi
Hiuen Tsang	Pilgrim/History	यात्री/इतिहास
Vasata	Queen of Shripura	सिरपुर की रानी
Sheshanaga	Mythology	पौराणिक कथा
Shikhara	Architecture	वास्तुकला
Buddhist and Jain	Religions	धर्म

New Words Practice:

Word	Sentence	Hindi
Carvings	The temple has beautiful carvings.	मंदिर में सुंदर नक्काशी है।
Monument	The temple is an old monument.	मंदिर एक पुराना स्मारक है।
Incarnation	Lakshman is an incarnation of Sheshanaga.	लक्ष्मण शेषनाग का अवतार हैं।
Reign	The king ruled during a great reign.	राजा ने महान शासन में शासन किया।

Hindi Instructions to Use:

“Kaun se shabd kaun se vishay se sambandhit hain?” (कौन से शब्द कौन से विषय से संबंधित हैं?) – Which words are related to which subjects?
“Naye shabd se vakya banao” (नए शब्द से वाक्य बनाओ) – Make sentences with new words.

Day 4: Articles – ‘a’, ‘an’, and ‘the’ (Articles – ‘a’, ‘an’, और ‘the’)

Duration: 30 minutes

Time	Activity	Hindi Term / Instruction	Teacher’s Role
5 min	Revision	दोहराव (Dohrav)	Quick vocabulary recall.
15 min	Articles Activity	Articles – a, an, the	Use Pages 148-151: “Observe the use of definite article ‘the’ in the passage.” Complete the passage with suitable articles (a, an, the).
5 min	Practice Sentences	अभ्यास वाक्य	Students write sentences using ‘a’, ‘an’, and ‘the’. “I saw an elephant.” “The sun is bright.”
5 min	Wrap-up	आज क्या सीखा?	Ask: “When do we use ‘a’?” (Before consonant sounds) “When do we use ‘an’?” (Before vowel sounds) “When do we use ‘the’?” (For specific things)

Articles Rules (Pages 148-149):

Article	Rule	Example
a	Before consonant sounds	a temple, a brick, a carving
an	Before vowel sounds (a, e, i, o, u)	an elephant, an idol, an archaeologist
the	For specific/named things	the Lakshman Temple, the Garbhagriha

Passage Completion (Page 149):

Look at those beautiful carvings on ______ door. They show figures of elephants, lions and beauty. ______ temple has many carvings that talk about Lord Vishnu and ten avatars. Historians in ______ 7th and 8th century remark that Sirpur was ______ centre of knowledge and trade. Great king Balajurna made Sirpur rich in art, education and religion and so his regime is called ______ Classical Age.

Answers:

Passage Completion (Page 151):

When ______ archaeological department started excavation according to traveller’s diary of Hiuen Tsang, they found many Viharas. They declare that Sirpur is much more vast than Nalanda. Nalanda has four Buddhist Viharas, whereas their number is 10 in Sirpur. ______ Buddha Vihara in Nalanda is ______ single-storeyed structure, whereas the Vihara in Sirpur is two-storeyed. ______ Lakshman temple is one of ______ first temple made of bricks in India. There are steps in north and south directions to go to upper storey. ______ temple contains garbhagriha, interlude and mandapam.

Answers:

Hindi Instructions to Use:

“‘a’ kab use karte hain?” (‘a’ कब use करते हैं?) – When do we use ‘a’?
“‘an’ kab use karte hain?” (‘an’ कब use करते हैं?) – When do we use ‘an’?
“‘the’ kab use karte hain?” (‘the’ कब use करते हैं?) – When do we use ‘the’?
“Khaali jagah bharo” (खाली जगह भरो) – Fill in the blanks.

Day 5: Role Play, Diary Writing, Assessment, and Celebration (भूमिका निभाना, डायरी लेखन, मूल्यांकन और उत्सव)

Duration: 30 minutes

Time	Activity	Hindi Term / Instruction	Teacher’s Role
5 min	Revision	पुनरावृत्ति (Punaravritti)	Full story recall. Quick articles recall.
10 min	Role Play Activity	भूमिका निभाना (Bhoomika nibhana)	Use Page 151: “Divide the class into 3 groups. Arrange interviews/discussions with (i) monks in monasteries, (ii) common people and traders, (iii) the king and his courtiers.”
5 min	Diary Writing Activity	डायरी लेखन	Use Page 151: “You are Aarohi. Write your diary entry on your visit to Sirpur with your sister and Dadaji.”
5 min	Speaking Assessment	बातचीत परीक्षण (Baatcheet parikshan)	Call students one by one. Ask: “Who built the Lakshman Temple?” “What is the old name of Sirpur?” “What is the temple made of?”
5 min	Wrap-up & Celebration	समापन और शाबाशी (Samaapan aur Shabashi)	Celebrate learning about Chhattisgarh’s rich cultural heritage. Clap for all students.

Role Play Activity (Page 151):

Group 1: Interview with Monks

Participants: 1 interviewer, 3-4 monks
Topics: Daily life in monasteries, religious teachings, Sirpur’s importance

Group 2: Common People and Traders

Participants: 1 interviewer, 3-4 traders/common people
Topics: Trade, daily life, cultural diversity

Group 3: King and Courtiers

Participants: 1 interviewer, 2-3 courtiers, 1 king
Topics: Administration, cultural development, religious harmony

Diary Writing – Aarohi’s Diary Entry (Page 151):

Sample Diary Entry:

Date: 15th February 2025
Dear Diary,
Today was an amazing day! I visited the Lakshman Temple in Sirpur with my sister Aarushi and Dadaji. The temple is 1,400 years old and made of red bricks. I was surprised to learn that the bricks were made using soil, sand, and paddy husk!
Dadaji told us that Queen Vasata built this temple in memory of her husband. The carvings on the doors show Lord Vishnu’s ten avatars. I touched the carvings of snakes on the pillars – they felt so real!
We also learned that Sirpur was once called Shripura. People of all religions lived here peacefully. A Chinese traveller named Hiuen Tsang visited this place long ago.
I am so proud of our rich heritage. I want to come here again with my friends!
– Aarohi

Speaking Assessment Questions:

Question	Expected Answer
Who built the Lakshman Temple?	Queen Vasata built the Lakshman Temple.
What is the old name of Sirpur?	Shripura.
What is the temple made of?	Red bricks made from soil, sand, and paddy husk.
What carvings are on the temple doors?	Dashavataras (ten avatars of Vishnu).
Who visited Sirpur in the 7th century?	The Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang.

Assessment Checklist (मूल्यांकन सूची):

Skill	Criteria	Yes/No
Reading	Reads the chapter with comprehension	☐
Comprehension	Answers 4+ questions correctly	☐
Vocabulary	Names 5+ new words	☐
Cultural Understanding	Explains the temple’s significance	☐
Articles	Uses ‘a’, ‘an’, ‘the’ correctly	☐
Role Play	Participates in role-play activity	☐
Writing	Writes a diary entry	☐
Speaking	Answers questions in sentences	☐

Additional Activities (अतिरिक्त गतिविधियाँ)

Activity	Description	Hindi Instruction
Puzzle Making	Use Page 152: Create a turtle puzzle using cardboard. Cut and rearrange pieces.	“Turtle puzzle banao.” (टर्टल पज़ल बनाओ।)
Sirpur Research	Research more about Sirpur and its archaeological sites.	“Sirpur ke baare mein research karo.” (सिरपुर के बारे में रिसर्च करो।)
Temple Drawing	Draw the Lakshman Temple based on the description in the story.	“Lakshman Mandir ka chitra banao.” (लक्ष्मण मंदिर का चित्र बनाओ।)
Heritage Walk	Discuss historical places in your area. Share what you know.	“Apne ilake ki aitihasik jagahon ke baare mein batao.” (अपने इलाके की ऐतिहासिक जगहों के बारे में बताओ।)
Article Game	Teacher says a noun, students say the correct article (a, an, the).	“Article game khelo.” (आर्टिकल गेम खेलो।)
Hiuen Tsang’s Diary	Write a diary entry as Hiuen Tsang describing his visit to Sirpur.	“Hiuen Tsang ki diary likho.” (ह्यूएन त्सांग की डायरी लिखो।)

Resources Needed (आवश्यक सामग्री)

Textbook: Santoor Class 4 English (Pages 143-154)
Pictures of: Lakshman Temple, Sirpur, brick carvings, Dashavataras
Map of Chhattisgarh showing Sirpur
Flashcards: new vocabulary words
Flashcards: articles (a, an, the)
Cardboard for puzzle-making
Drawing sheets and crayons
Notebooks and pencils
Chart paper for heritage display

Integration with Indian Knowledge System (भारतीय ज्ञान परंपरा से जुड़ाव)

Chhattisgarh’s Heritage: The Lakshman Temple in Sirpur is one of Chhattisgarh’s finest brick temples. It reflects the rich cultural heritage of the state.
Brick Architecture: The temple is one of the first brick temples constructed in India, showcasing the advanced architectural skills of ancient India.
Queen Vasata: The temple was built by Queen Vasata in memory of her husband King Harshagupta, symbolizing love and devotion.
Religious Harmony: Sirpur was home to Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains living together in peace, reflecting India’s tradition of religious harmony.
Dashavataras: The carvings on the temple doors show the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, representing India’s rich mythological heritage.
Hiuen Tsang: The Chinese traveller visited Sirpur in the 7th century, showing India’s global connections in ancient times.
Archaeological Survey of India: The temple is now a protected monument under the ASI, ensuring its preservation for future generations.

Note to the Teacher (शिक्षक के लिए नोट)

Help children notice the different areas of learning related to the chapter – mythology, architecture, history, and religion.
Encourage children to share their experiences of visiting historical places.
Use the role-play activity to make the chapter come alive for students.
The diary writing activity helps students express their understanding creatively.
The puzzle-making activity (Page 152) develops fine motor skills and spatial awareness.
Discuss the importance of preserving cultural heritage – how we can learn from the past and protect it for the future.

Links to Other Curricular Areas (पाठ्यक्रम के अन्य क्षेत्रों से जुड़ाव)

Area	Connection
Social Studies	History of Chhattisgarh, ancient India, cultural heritage, religious harmony
Art & Craft	Temple architecture, carvings, puzzle-making, drawing
Geography	Location of Sirpur, Chhattisgarh
Values Education	Preserving heritage, religious harmony, respecting history
Language Development	Vocabulary, articles, diary writing, role-play
Science	Building materials (soil, sand, paddy husk), terracotta

Quick Reference Card

Key Characters:
Aarushi, Aarohi, Dadaji, Queen Vasata, Hiuen Tsang

Key Facts:

Temple: Lakshman Temple, Sirpur, Chhattisgarh
Age: 1,400 years old
Built by: Queen Vasata
Material: Red bricks (soil, sand, paddy husk)
Dedicated to: Lord Vishnu
Old name of Sirpur: Shripura

Key Carvings:
Dashavataras (10 avatars of Vishnu)

Key Vocabulary:
carvings, husk, monument, incarnation, reign, monastery, Shikhara, Garbhagriha

Articles:
a (consonant sounds) | an (vowel sounds) | the (specific/named)

Key Message:
“Our heritage is our pride. We must protect and preserve it for future generations.”