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.c41.s15.21

v6.c41.s15.21

‘The outer enclosure of a temple was always rectangular, and generally of greater length than width. The enclosure walls were as a rule about 3 feet thick, and from 12 to 14 feet high. The most important building in the *vāt* (enclosure) was the *bot* (the sacred temple) and usually the first built. The *bot* was rectangular in plan, and was divided into central and side aisles by columns in stone, carrying open timber roofs covered with glazed tiles in bright colours. The roofs over the side aisles were at a lower level than that of the central aisles, leaving space for a clerestory, which consisted of pierced terra-cotta slabs. Similar perforated screens were built in between the outer columns of the aisles. In important temples the *bot* had double aisles on each side.’