The Hindu Temple v2.c13.s1.42

v2.c13.s1.42

The ‘Viṣṇudharmottara’ begins this group with the simplest type of temple, called Gṛha. It is a square, one-storeyed house (gṛha); Lakṣmī should be installed therein. The Draupadī Ratha in Mamallapuram would come near this type if its roof could be considered as one of the shapes of the Valabhī,⁵ and if the triple division of the height, in Jagatī, Kati and Talpa is not considered binding in this group. The latter indeed seems implied in the description of the following representatives of the seventh group of temples in the ‘Viṣṇudharmottara’ of which the temple “Many-storeyed” or Bahu-Bhūmika is the first. It should have as many storeys as is desired (yatheṣṭa) and is of the type of the temple Yatheṣṭa (verse 42), that is, it has a ridged roof or Valabhī.