The Hindu Temple v1.c8.s7.55

v1.c8.s7.55

The ascent of the cave along the vertical axis of the Prāsāda is by a twofold process, which is one in nature; by coalescence, and reduplication or repetition, the crypt arises on to higher and higher levels. The vertical axis of the Prāsāda always passes through its centre.¹¹⁶ By its ascent from underground, the crypt of steps leading down from inside the shrine doorway. The ante-chamber is 2' lower than the hall floor, a graded descent to the origin and centre, just as inversely, the superstructures with their finials, of several halls mark the graded ascent, level upon level, in many 'bhūmis' towards the final point on high (Pl. I). As above, so below, with the corresponding changes of direction, form and accessibility. The sunken shrine of the Śiva temple of Lonad (Kalyan) is three feet below that of the Maṇḍapa (ibid., p. 21).