Essay name: Architectural data in the Puranas
Author:
Sharda Devi
Affiliation: Himachal Pradesh University / Department of History
This essay studies ancient Indian architectural science as found in technical treatises and the Puranas, with special reference to the Matsya, Garuda, Agni and Bhavishya Puranas. These texts detail ancient architectural practices, covering temple and domestic designs, dimensional specifications, and construction rules.
Chapter 3 - Temples
30 (of 48)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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122
decorated with three, five, seven and nine śākhās. The doors measuring
one hundred forty and half, one hundred thirty and one hundred twenty
angulas are considered as jyestha, madhyama and kanīyas respectively.
The door measuring 180 angules is supposed to be the best for
ventilation, while the other prescribed dimensions are 80, 90, 100, 110
and 116 angulas. There are ten doorways for mandapas Other
dimensions are forbidden as they trouble the mind. There should be no
obstruction, in front of the door, caused by tree corner, curve, pillar,
banner, well, wall and charm or pit The prescribed shapes for the
mandapas are trikoṇa, vṛtta, ardhendu, catuskona. astāsra and dvirastaka;
others may be inauspicious. 92 The GP also describes the shapes of
mandapa as trikoṇa, padma, ardhendu, catuskoṇa and dviraṣtaka. A
consecrator of these temples is said to be bestowed perpetual grant of
statuary powers, wealth, longevity, sanction of sons and wives
respectively. Another Meru prāsāda with hundred turrets, four dvāras and
four mandapas is conceded as sublime and best of all.
93 The BSP says that on the north and south sides two mandalas
should be constructed for offerings. The offerings of morning should be
performed in the south mandala and that of evening in the other one, i.e.
north mandala. The third maṇḍala should consist of the idol of sun well
established in the midst of the different auspicious sounds of musical
