Hinduism - What Is A Mandapa In Hindu Temple Architecture?


 (“pavilion”) The mandapa is a structural component of the Nagara architectural style seen in the Khajuraho variant.

The Nagara style, which is mostly seen in northern India, stresses verticality, with the whole temple construction culminating at a single highest point.

The whole building, like slopes leading up to the mountains, gradually climbs up to the center tower in the Khajuraho style, with the apex of this central tower immediately above the temple's principal image.

The mandapa is the term for a temple hall that is normally between the entry hall (ardhaman dapa) and the main hall in this architecture (mahamandapa).

~Kiran Atma


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