The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c8.83

v1.c8.83

²⁹ With reference to the remark made on page [33] to the effect that minor Hindu temples face one or other of all the four cardinal points of the compass, it is necessary to note here, with a view to prevent misapprehension, that the *Caṇḍīmaṇḍapas* or chapels in private dwellings in Bengal, face either the South, or the West, never East, nor the North, and the priest, when engaged in worship, invariably sits with his face towards the East, facing the image of the god, when the chapel is turned towards the West, and having the image on his left side when its direction is towards the South. This is, however, not in accordance with the rules of *Śāstra*. According to the *Kālikā Purāṇa* "the side sacred to Kuvera (North) is the most gratifying to Śiva; therefore, seated with the face directed to that side, should Caṇḍikā be always worshipped". *Digvibhāge tu kauverī dik śivaprītidāyinī, tathā tanmukha āsīna pūjayeccaṇḍikāṃ sadā*. At Puri and Bhuvaneśvara, with temples facing the East, the priests, I observed, were seated with their faces towards the South. This too is not consistent with the ordinances of the Śāstra, for the *Rudrayāmala Tantra* prohibits the East for Śambhu, and the West and the North for Śakti. *Na prācīmagrataḥ śambhornodicīm śaktimāsthitāṃ, na pratīcīm yataḥ priṣṭhamatodakṣam samāśrayet.* How the priest sits when a temple faces the North, I have never noticed. When people sit to repeat their *sandhyā* prayers, they turn towards the East, if the worshippers be Vaiṣṇavas, and towards the North if they be Śāktas. The followers of Śiva and Gaṇeśa prefer the North. This likewise is arbitrary, and unsupported by the Śāstra. The general rule, according to Viṣṇu, is that the worshipper may sit with his face towards the North or the East at his option. *Prañmukho udañmukho vā upaviṣṭo dhyānī devatāḥ pūjayet.* Vācaspati Miśra quotes an authority which improves upon this, and recommends the East for morning prayer, the West for evening prayer, and the North for prayer at night : *Prākpaścimoda-gāsyāt tu sāyam-prātar-niśāsu ca.*