The Ancient and Medieval Architecture of India: A Study of Indo-Aryan Civilisation c14.50

c14.50

An important point to which the attention of archæologists seems never to have been directed is that the orientation of an Indian temple invariably indicates the particular Aspect of the Nature-force (*Prakriti*), or Soul-force (*Purusha*), to which the temple is dedicated ; for the worshipper must place himself or herself “in tune with the Infinite,” just as an Indian singer always knows, either by intuition or by study, the time of day or night and season of the year at which the râga he sings must be sung. A Brahmâ temple has four entrances, facing the four cardinal points ; a Vishnu temple one entrance, facing the rising sun ; and a Siva temple one entrance, facing the setting sun. But the three Aspects are often combined in one temple. Thus the mandapam of a temple will symbolise Siva in its constructive principle; the shrine itself with four doors will symbolise Brahmâ; while the image and the sikhara which covers the shrine will symbolise Vishnu. The north and south aspects and the intermediate points also have their special dedications.