The Hindu Temple v1.c8.s2.25

v1.c8.s2.25

⁴¹ The single worshipper, or in South India, only the priest of the temple and the 'pūjārī' enter the Garbhagṛha and perform the sacred rites for the worshipper. When, as with the Vaiṣṇavas, congregational songs, etc., are performed, this takes place in front of the Garbhagṛha, in the Maṇḍapa, and leaves unaffected the form of the Prāsāda, with its small Garbhagṛha. The apsidal plan and barrel-vaulted structure is classified as Hastipṛṣṭha or 'elephant-back' in Vāstu-śāstra (see Part VII). It was re-adjusted for the purposes of Hindu worship by the introduction of internal walls so as to seclude the Garbhagṛha from the rest (Durga temple, Aihole, 6th century ; Cousens, op. cit. Pl. XI) or by a flat stone ceiling to exclude the vaulted roof in the brick temple of Kapoteśvara at Chezarla, Guntur District (Report of the Southern Circle, ASI., 1917-18, p. 35, Pl. XVIII).