[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Architecture and art](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art) › [Town Planning in Ancient India](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925) › c16.18 # Town Planning in Ancient India c16.18 Town Planning in Ancient India c16.18 - **Language:** English ### [c16.18](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c16.18) Mayamuni’s order is different, and more detailed and comprehensive. “Allocation of the gods is to begin from the east. The Aryan gods should all be set up within the compound of the village or city. The temple of Śiva may be established outside it. The Vināyaka is to occupy Bhṛṅgarāja or Pāvaka’s chamber. Śiva is to be enshrined in the chambers consecrated to Īśa or Soma, or in those adjoining Soma. Surrounding Śiva are to be measured the sites for the temples of his attendant deities. The Sun-god is to be quartered at the chamber held sacred to Āditya; the goddess Kālikā is to have her shrine installed at Agni’s plot. Viṣṇu’s edifice is to be erected at the plot presided over by Bhṛśa, and the image of Ṣaṇmukha (the six-faced god) is to be constructed at the Yāmya square. To the north (Mṛga quarter) or the south-east of Mṛsha’s chamber lies the temple of Keśava. The Lord of the gaṇas is set up at the chamber held sacred to Sugrīva or at the Pushpadanta’s portion. Aryaka has his edifice at the south-east corner of the village and Viṣṇu is assigned his shrine at the Varuṇa. The great Sugata (Buddha) should have his monastery at the Sugrīva, and at the Bhṛṅgarāja the deity of the Jainas should be located. The liquor-shop should be relegated to the north-west corner, and the goddess Kātyāyanī should occupy the Mukhya site. Kuvera (Dhanada) is to be stationed at Soma's chamber and the Mātṛs may also be assigned sites there too. Śaṅkara may possess temples either at the Īśa, the Parjanya, or the Jayanta. Kuvera must occupy either of the two sites, the Soma or the Sosha, and if he occupies the one, the other should be allocated to Gajānana. The Mātṛs may occupy shrines at the Aditi. The edifice of Viṣṇu should be erected at the centre of the village. To the south-east or the north-east of the Brahmā's site, the council-house is to be raised. To its north-west Hari should have his shrine. The dimensions and number of storeys of all the divine edifices should be commensurate with the size of the village or the city. If a divine edifice be too low for the village or the town, the men become also low-minded and the women acquire foul habits. Caṇḍeśwara, Kumāra, Dhanada, Kālī, Putanā, Kālī-suta and Khaḍgī are the divine porters of the city. Īśa should face either the east or the west and Viṣṇu can face towards all cardinal quarters. All should have their faces turned towards the village, or the city. All the gods barring Īśa and Viṣṇu should face the east and the Mātṛs are to have their faces turned towards the north. The Sun-god's shrine is to have its door in the west."¹ Generally Brahmā is placed at the crossing of the two principal highways meeting at the centre of the city, with His four faces turned towards the four cardinal directions as if looking down the street and watching the city in all quarters. All the gods are posed as facing the village or city which symbolises their tutelage over it. The non-Aryan gods or goddesses are stationed beyond the village or city. - [Previous: c16.17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c16.17) - [Next: c16.19](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c16.19) - [Up: c16](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c16) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c16.18](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c16.18) · Pramāṇa