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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) v6.c40.s12.t11: Chapter XXXIII: The Gate-house (Gopura-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) v6.c40.s12.t11

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English

Chapter XXXIII: The Gate-house (Gopura-vidhāna)

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Gate-houses (*gopura*) are built in front of each of the five courts into which the whole compound is divided. The *gopura* belonging to the first court (*antar-maṇḍala*) is technically called *dvāra-śobhā* or the beauty of the gate¹; that belonging to the second court is known as *dvāra-śālā* or gate-house. The gate-house of the third court is called *dvāra-prāsāda* (gate-palace), and that of the fourth court (*prākāra*) has the name of *dvāra-harmya* (gate-edifice). The gate-house of the fifth or outermost court (*mahāmaryādā*) is known as *mahāgopura* or the great gate-house.

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¹ This term in Prākrit form (*duārasoha*) occurs in the *Mrichchhakaṭika* (ed. Stenzler), pp. 72, 1, 13, in the description of Vasantasenā's palace (Act V), which is divided into seven courts.

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Each of these five classes of gate-houses is subdivided again into three kinds—the small, the intermediate, and the large. Gate-houses are exhaustively described under these fifteen kinds. They are further divided into ten (? nine) classes with regard to the number of architectural members designated as *śikhara* (domes), *stūpikā* (pinnacle), *gala-kūṭa* (neck-peak), and *kshudra-nāsī* (vestibule). A *gopura* is thus technically called *śrībhoga* when its *śikhā* is like a *śālā*, and it has a circular surrounding *stūpikā*, and is furnished with a *gala-kūṭa*, four *kshudranāsīs*, and eight *mahānāsīs*. The remaining nine (eight) classes are called respectively *jaya*, *śrīviśāla*, *vishṇu-kānta*, *indra-kānta*, *brahma-kānta*, *skanda-kānta*, *śrīkara* and *saumya-kānta*. The name of one of these classes is evidently missing.

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The fifteen kinds of gate-houses referred to above may have one to sixteen or seventeen storeys. But the details of those of one to five storeys only are given, others being left to the discretion of the artists and stated to be built in the same way as those described so minutely.

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The measurements, both absolute and comparative, of length, breadth, and height of each storey belonging to each of the fifteen kinds of gate-houses are described at great length. The ornaments and mouldings of each storey are also given in detail. The *garbha griha* (cella or sanctum), as well as all other rooms, together with their different parts, such as pillars, entablatures, walls, roofs, floors, doors, windows, etc., are exhaustively discussed.

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The measurements, etc., of the gate-houses are discussed in comparison with those of the main buildings also. Then follows a lengthy description of their solid (*ghana*) and hollow (*aghana*) parts. The description of some interior members is also included in this section.

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The chapter closes with an interesting description of windows, not only for gate-houses, but also for other kinds of buildings, both religious and residential. The general plan of windows seems to be this: a post or pillar is fixed in the middle to which are attached two perforated screens (*jālaka* and *pālikā*). These admit of various patterns, represented by the following names, by which they are classed with regard to their shapes, *nāga-bandha* (snake-pattern), *valli-bandha* (creeper pattern), *gavāksha* (cow’s eye pattern), *kuñjarāksha* (elephant’s eye pattern), *svastika* (cross pattern), *sarvato-bhadra* (car pattern),

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SHORE TEMPLE, MAHĀBALIPURAM

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SVASTIKA MANSION

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*nandyāvarta* (geometrical pattern) and *pushpa-bandha* (flower pattern). They are decorated with floral and foliated ornaments, as well as with decorative devices in imitation of jewels. The measurement of length, breadth, and thickness is entirely left to the discretion of the artist. But it is stated in conclusion that, according to some authorities, the width of the windows for gate-houses varies from 1½ to 5 cubits (*hasta*), the increment being by six *aṅgulas*. As stated elsewhere the height is regulated by five formulas, viz., 1¼, 1½, 1¾, 2, 2½ of the width.

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THE PAVILION (*Maṇḍapa-vidhāna*)

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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 single-storeyed 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.

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After an account of the architectural members indicated by the technical terms *bhitti* (foundation wall or floor), *alinda* (verandah), and *prapā* (shed), 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*, *nishadaja*, *vindhyaja*, *mālyaja*, *pāriyātra*, *gandha-mādana* and *hema-kūṭa* respectively. One is said to be used for the purpose of a bath-room, another for a study 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.

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The *meruja-maṇḍapa* is used as a library-room, the *vijaya* for marriage ceremonies, the *padmaka* as a temple kitchen, the *sicha* 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 *dārva* for an elephant’s stable, and the *kauśika* 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 *jayāla* and others for summer residence. The plan, ornaments, etc., of each of these various classes are described in detail.

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The chapter closes with a description of the forms of *maṇḍapas*. Those of temples and of the houses of the Brahmans 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 portico.

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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*.

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A short description of *maṇḍapas* in villages or towns is given at the end. Their principal members are said to be the *lupā* (pent roof), *prastara* (entablature), *prachchhādana* (roof), *sabhā* (hall), *kūṭa* (pinnacle), etc. *Maṇḍapas* are also built on the roadside and elsewhere.

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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.

Cites (2)