History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c31.16

v1.c31.16

The height of the main image or liṅga under worship should be less than that of the doorway by 1/8. The ratio between the image and the pedestal should be 2/3: 1/3. Most of these measurements and ratios tally with the Gupta temple at Deogarh (Distt. Lalitpur) of early 6th century and the Muṇḍeśvarī temple (Distt. Rohtas in Bihar), dated A.D. 636. The exact correspondence between the canonical prescription and the architectural practice is aptly illustrated by the Muṇḍeśvarī temple whose octagonal sanctum measures just 40 ft. externally and 20 ft. internally in the prescribed ratio of 2:1. Similar is the Paraśurāmeśvara temple of 7th century at Bhubaneswar whose sanctum is 18 ft. externally and 9 ft. internally. Further, the proportion of the height and width of the doorway in relation to the sanctum has almost faithfully adhered to the canonical regulation through all ages.