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.s15.23

v6.c41.s15.23

Just like the ordinary shrine, the *bot* (of Vāt Jai at Sukhodaya) stood opposite the main entrance in the east and had a porch in front. ‘In its rear was the principal *phra* (*stūpa*) of the temple, of which there were two types of design,¹ the *phra-prang* and the *phra-chedi*. The former is of a type peculiar to Siam, about half way up is the cell, with its entrance door on the eastern side, access to which was obtained by a steep flight of steps, and recessed niches on the three other sides.’ Thus it differed in many essential respects from similar structures in India or Burma. ‘The top, or upper part, has a domical shape, which we can easily fancy to be derived from the *stūpa*, but the upright part looks more like the *śikhara* of a Hindu temple than anything Buddhist.’