Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v1.c55.26

v1.c55.26

After fortification, the question of the planning of the gates and doors is attended to. As many as three classes of doors are prescribed. It may be remarked here that the Indian technique of placing the doors is intimately related to the traditional site-planning. Hence sometimes a confusion is created as to whether a particular door is to be put in a particular direction or otherwise, because the Vāstudvāra and Bhavanadvāra are two different things. The text recommends the Vāstudvāra in the north-side of Rāja-mārga while the Bhavanadvāra of the palace towards the East. Naturally, therefore, the frontal gate—the main gate must be placed in the East. The main gate is technically called the Gopuradvāra and to be laid on the Pada presided over by Bhallāṭa. The magnificence of these Gopurams is our architectural heritage.