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
31 (of 48)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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123
instruments like t奴rya, 艣ankha etc and decorated by four auspicious
kala艣as and the pitchers."
94 According to GP the mandapa and gav膩k峁 have been optional
portions of a temple. As the remnant monuments of the period indicate
these were, most likely, not the inevitable organs of the temple. However,
if the consecrator is willing, these should be raised in a hall (ma峁囜笉apa)
and latticed windows (gav膩k峁s) in front of, and attached with the
garbhagrha. The length of the walls of mandapa may be double, equal or
even half of that of the garbhagrha. There should be various types of
projections (bhadras) in the walls of mandapa commensurating with the
latter's dimensions in number and shape and size. The GP says that there
should be constructed a ma帽jar墨 (small spire), above the mandapa
embellished with high and low (visama) carvings relieved (utra) on it in
accordance with the dimensions (parim膩na) of its elevation. It further
95 says that there should be constructed a small shrine (laghumandapa) for
the concerning mount or animal conveyance (v膩hana). The recommended
shapes are catura艣ra (quadrangular) and 膩yata (rectangular). These also
should be adorned with 艣ikhara and cadra艣膩l膩s.
The AP in chapter 65 discusses the methods of saptabhauma-
sabh膩 mandapa in front of the temples. After examining the ground on
which the mandapa (hall) is to be built, the v膩stuy膩ga ceremony should be
performed. Now the saptabhauma (seven storeyed) hall sacred to Hari
