The Hindu Temple v2.c13.s1.68

v2.c13.s1.68

Each flight of steps terminates with a gate-house. Immediately behind the Eastern gate-house is a Sāmānya temple; a Garbha-Mandira, it has no Maṇḍapas but is flanked by two Himavān temples. By its position the East-West axis of the plan is given special importance. But for it the temple Sarvatobhadra and those of the eighth group are central in plan. The main temple which occupies the central position, the Sarvatobhadra temple proper, has its square Garbhagṛha surrounded in the four directions by Maṇḍapas. Each of these has four doors. In the corners of the Garbhagṛha 4 small Garbhagṛhas are inserted and correspondingly, 4 small shrines are placed in the corners between the Maṇḍapas. This cross shaped, central and radiating building is surmounted by a cluster of nine Śikharas corresponding to the four Maṇḍapas, the four small corner Prāsādas and the central Grabhagṛha. The central Śikhara is higher and dominates the eight surrounding Śikharas. The 8 Śikharas have Kuharas, or Śukanāsās in the eight directions; all the Śikharas are rich in Āmalasārakas, Jālas, Gavākṣas, (lesser) Kuharas; Cakras (wheels) and flags complete the crowning glory of this temple. Around the central shrine beautiful tanks are laid out on the terrace.