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.s22.3

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.