(“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).
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