The Ancient and Medieval Architecture of India: A Study of Indo-Aryan Civilisation c21.25

c21.25

with lotus flowers (fig. 13), in order to provide an open floor space in the centre of the pillared halls for the convenience of public meetings, musical entertainments, nautches, etc., which were held at the temple. Sometimes, as in the larger temples at Khajurâho, separate mandapams were provided for music and dancing. The mand implying any moral depravity. The indecency was generally introduced on account of the popular belief that it was a protection against the evil eye. There was never any obscenity in the sculpture of the sacred images worshipped within the sanctum and elsewhere. The imagers, being often Brahmans, were much more highly cultured than the ordinary craftsmen, and their art was the authorised interpretation of the esoteric philosophy of Hinduism.