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=== The Vastupurushamandala (वास्तुपुरुषमण्डलम् ) ===

=== The Vastupurushamandala (वास्तुपुरुषमण्डलम् ) ===

The Hindu Temple is built on the principle of Vastupurusamandala. The concept of Vastupurushamandala directs the ground plan of the temple and the site where the temple is planned to be built. The Vastupurushamandala is drawn on the ground before the commencement of the construction of the temple. The Vastupurushamandala is square in shape and serves as a documentation of an architectural ritual. The accurate drawing of the Vastupurushamandala is not only the opening step in the building of the Hindu Temple but also the first stage in the science of architecture or Sthapatya Shastra. The Vastupurushamandala is essentially a square and this  square is called the Vastupurusamandala. The square is further divided into sixty four compartments and diagonals are draw.  Vastu in the words of eminent art historian Stella Kramrisch is “the universal essence, Principle of all things , origin of creation.” Vastu is to be understood as the site in which vastu or the physical existence dwells and therefore it is called vastu.  

The Hindu Temple is built on the principle of Vastupurusamandala. The concept of Vastupurushamandala directs the ground plan of the temple and the site where the temple is planned to be built. The Vastupurushamandala is drawn on the ground before the commencement of the construction of the temple. The Vastupurushamandala is square in shape and serves as a documentation of an architectural ritual. The accurate drawing of the Vastupurushamandala is not only the opening step in the building of the Hindu Temple but also the first stage in the science of architecture or Sthapatya Shastra. The Vastupurushamandala is essentially a square and this  square is called the Vastupurusamandala. The square is further divided into sixty four compartments and diagonals are draw.  Vastu is to be understood as the site in which vastu or the physical existence dwells and therefore it is called vastu.  

Bhu or earth considered the original vastu it underlies all existence. Prithvi as one of the Pancha Mahabhutas and as the goddess Bhu Devi provides her surface to construct the temple. According to Stella Kramrisch, it i.e. Bhumi is “the ground for architectural ritual.” (Kramrisch , 21). Bhumi is the place where the mortals and immortals dwell. Four kinds of spaces have been designated by the ancient Sthapatyashastrakaras as Vastu:  

Bhu or earth considered the original vastu it underlies all existence. Prithvi as one of the Pancha Mahabhutas and as the goddess Bhu Devi provides her surface to construct the temple. According to Stella Kramrisch, it i.e. Bhumi is “the ground for architectural ritual.” (Kramrisch , 21). Bhumi is the place where the mortals and immortals dwell. Four kinds of spaces have been designated by the ancient Sthapatyashastrakaras as Vastu:  

4. Shayana: Couch (शयन )   

4. Shayana: Couch (शयन )   

Bhu or the earth is the fundamental Vastu as it is the first of the Pancha Mahabhutas and support of all animate and inanimate objects. Those which emanate from the earth like the Prasadas are the Vaastu which are abodes or planned sites. They are also termed as Vastu as they are things which have a concrete existence and established on Vastu (a real existing thing). Vaastu is fundamentally the planned site of a structure. In most cases, the Vaastu is square in shape and its complete name is the Vaastupurushamandala. This term is composed of three words- Vaastu, Purusha and Mandala.  Vaastu, as Stella Kramrisch puts it, "is the extent of Existence in its ordered state and is beheld in the likeness of the Purusha." (Kramrisch, 21). The image of the Purusha or Cosmic Man is the same and equivalent to the planned site. Purusha is the Cosmic Man- the point of origin for the entire creation. The Purusha is the instrumental cause (Nimitta Kaarana) of all existence and so is the Purusha the material cause of all existence and all the constituents of creation are made from his substance. The plan of the building or temple resembles the Cosmic Man who is none other than the Supreme One (Uttama Purusha). Mandala denotes any closed polygon. The form of the Vaastupurushamandala is square. The Vaastupurushamandala underlies all planned Hindu architectural structures. The site plan, ground plan as well as the horizontal and vertical sections of a Hindu structure are monitored by the Vaastupurushamandala. The site plan of the temple is prepared in accordance with the Vaastupurushamandala.  

Bhu or the earth is the fundamental Vastu as it is the first of the Pancha Mahabhutas and support of all animate and inanimate objects. Those which emanate from the earth like the Prasadas are the Vastu which are abodes or planned sites. They are also termed as Vastu as they are things which have a concrete existence and established on Vastu (a real existing thing). Vaastu is fundamentally the planned site of a structure. In most cases, the Vaastu is square in shape and its complete name is the Vaastupurushamandala. This term is composed of three words- Vaastu, Purusha and Mandala.  Vaastu, as Stella Kramrisch puts it, "is the extent of Existence in its ordered state and is beheld in the likeness of the Purusha." (Kramrisch, 21). The image of the Purusha or Cosmic Man is the same and equivalent to the planned site. Purusha is the Cosmic Man- the point of origin for the entire creation. The Purusha is the instrumental cause (Nimitta Kaarana) of all existence and so is the Purusha the material cause of all existence and all the constituents of creation are made from his substance. The plan of the building or temple resembles the Cosmic Man who is none other than the Supreme One (Uttama Purusha). Mandala denotes any closed polygon. The form of the Vastupurushamandala is square. The Vastupurushamandala underlies all planned Hindu architectural structures. The site plan, ground plan as well as the horizontal and vertical sections of a Hindu structure are monitored by the Vastupurushamandala. The site plan of the temple is prepared in accordance with the Vastupurushamandala.  

As per the injunctions given in the Mayamatam the shape of the Vaastu meant for Devatas and Brahmanas should be square. The square is the basic form of Indian architecture and implies a certain sense of ordering and limiting. The circle represents the movement of life. Square and circular shapes are both contained in the Vaidika Fire Altar and Agni which are inseparable.  

As per the injunctions given in the Mayamatam the shape of the Vastu meant for Devatas and Brahmanas should be square. The square is the basic form of Indian architecture and implies a certain sense of ordering and limiting. The circle represents the movement of life. Square and circular shapes are both contained in the Vaidika Fire Altar and Agni which are inseparable.  

The drawing of the square Vaastupurushamandala before the commencement of the temple architectural activity was essential. It was mandatory for an architect to be fully aware about the symbolism and actual drawing of the Vaastupurushamandala. All traditional texts on Indian Architecture elaborate upon the Vaastupurushamandala. The 11th century CE was a period when some of the loftiest Hindu Temples like the Brihadishvara Temple at Thanjavur, Kandariya Mahadeva Temple at Khajuraho as well as the Sun Temple at Modhera were constructed. By this time, the drawing of the Vaastupurushamandala on the site where the temple was to be built had become a rule. Whether it was the stretching of the chord to make the square or drawing the lines of the diagram, each step in the procedure was a ritual with its concomitant sacredness. These rites support the building in a similar manner as the actual physical foundation of the temple would support it.

The drawing of the square Vastupurushamandala before the commencement of the temple architectural activity was essential. It was mandatory for an architect to be fully aware about the symbolism and actual drawing of the Vastupurushamandala. All traditional texts on Indian Architecture elaborate upon the Vastupurushamandala. The 11th century CE was a period when some of the loftiest Hindu Temples like the Brihadishvara Temple at Thanjavur, Kandariya Mahadeva Temple at Khajuraho as well as the Sun Temple at Modhera were constructed. By this time, the drawing of the Vastupurushamandala on the site where the temple was to be built had become a rule. Whether it was the stretching of the chord to make the square or drawing the lines of the diagram, each step in the procedure was a ritual with its concomitant sacredness. These rites support the building in a similar manner as the actual physical foundation of the temple would support it.

=== Essential Components of a Temple ===

=== Essential Components of a Temple ===

==== Garbhagriha ====

==== Garbhagriha ====

The most integral and core part of a temple is the sanctum or garbhagriha which houses the image of the deity. It is generally square in shape and has no openings in the form of doors and windows except for its entrance door in the front. The garbhagriha is a dark chamber except for the light that trickles through the front door and the light of lamp lit near the image of the deity. The principal and loftiest shikhara of the temple is constructed above the garbhagriha.  

The most integral and core part of a temple is the sanctum or garbhagriha which houses the image of the deity. It is generally square in shape and has no openings in the form of doors and windows except for its entrance door in the front. The garbhagriha is a dark chamber except for the light that trickles through the front door and the light of lamp lit near the image of the deity. The principal and loftiest shikhara of the temple is constructed above the garbhagriha.