Manasara Series (I. A Dictionary of Hindu Architecture; II. Indian Architecture according to Manasara-Shilpashastra; III. Manasara on Architecture and Sculpture: Sanskrit Text; IV. Architecture of Manasara: Translation; V. Architecture of Manasara: Illustrations; VI. Hindu Architecture in India and Abroad; VII. An Encyclopaedia of Hindu Architecture) v2.c14.s22: Chapter XXXIV: The Maṇḍapa (Maṇḍapa-vidhāna)
Mānasāra Series (I. A Dictionary of Hindu Architecture; II. Indian Architecture according to Mānasāra-Śilpaśāstra; III. Mānasāra on Architecture and Sculpture: Sanskrit Text; IV. Architecture of Mānasāra: Translation; V. Architecture of Mānasāra: Illustrations; VI. Hindu Architecture in India and Abroad; VII. An Encyclopaedia of Hindu Architecture) v2.c14.s22
- Language
- English
Chapter XXXIV: The Maṇḍapa (Maṇḍapa-vidhāna)
v2.c14.s22.2
The term *maṇḍapa* generally means a temple, pavilion, bower, shed or open hall. But the word has been used in three technical senses in this chapter. It is used to imply a house in the country, etc., or built on the sea-shore or the bank of a river, tank, or lake; secondly, it is used to imply all the detached buildings in a compound which is generally divided into five courts. But in the most general sense, it implies various sorts of rooms in a temple or residential building; for the greater part of this long chapter is devoted to a description of these rooms.
v2.c14.s22.3
After an account of the architectural members indicated by the technical terms *bhitti*, *alinda* and *prapā*, follows the lengthy description of *maṇḍapas*. Seven *maṇḍapas* are said to be built in front of the *prāsāda* or the main edifice They are technically called *himaja*, *nishādaja*, *vijaya*, *mālyaja*, *pāriyātra*, *gandha-mādana* and *hema-kūṭa* respectively. The first is said to be used for the purpose of a bath-room, the second for a study, library or school (*adhyayana*), and so forth. Various parts of these buildings, such as walls, roofs, floors, verandas, court-yards, doors, windows, columns, etc., are described in detail. Besides these seven, various other classes of *maṇḍapas* are also described exhaustively. Their technical names together with the main purposes for which they are built may be given here.
v2.c14.s22.4
The *meruja maṇḍapa* is used as a library-room, the *vijaya* for marriage ceremonies, the *padmaka* as a temple-kitchen, the *śikha* as an ordinary kitchen, the *padma* for collecting flowers, the *bhadra* for a water-reservoir, store-house, etc the *śiva* for unhusking corn, the *veda* for an assembly-hall, the *kula-dhāraṇa* for storing perfumes, the *sukhāṅga* for a guest-house, the *dārua* for an elephant's stable, and the *kausika* for a horse-stable, the *saukhyaka* and others built on the banks of the sea, river, lake, etc., are meant for purposes of pilgrimage, and the *jayāta* and others for summer residence. The plan, ornaments, etc. of each of these various classes are described in detail
v2.c14.s22.5
The chapter closes with a description of the forms of *maṇḍapas*. Those of temples and of the houses of the Brāhmaṇas should have the *jāti* shape, the *chhanda* shape is given to the *maṇḍapas* of the Kshatriyas, the *vikalpa* shape to those of the Vaiśyas, and the *ābhāsa* shape to those of the Śūdras But according to some, these four classes are also said to be based on the form of the *bhadra* or front tabernacle.
v2.c14.s22.6
The *maṇḍapas* of two faces are called *daṇḍaka* and those of three faces *svastika*; but the latter may also have the *lāṅgala* or plough shape. The *maṇḍapas* of four faces are known as *chatur-mukha*, those of five faces as *sarvato-bhadra* and those of six faces as *maulika*.
v2.c14.s22.7
A short description of *maṇḍapas* in villages or towns is given at the end. Their principal members are said to be the *lupā*, *prastara*, *prachchhādana*, *sabhā* and *kūṭa*, etc. *Maṇḍapas* are also built on the roadside and elsewhere.
v2.c14.s22.8
All classes of *maṇḍapas* mentioned above are described separately, according as they may belong to a temple or to the houses of the Brāhmaṇas, the Kshatriyas the Vaiśyas and the Śūdras respectively.