Essential Parts of A Typical Temple

In some temples, a pradaksinapatha (a circumambulatory passage) is provided just round the garbhagrha, to enable the devotees to go round the deity. Only vesara temples do not have this passage.

In front of the garbhagrha and contiguous to it is the mukhamantapa, sometimes called sukanasior ardhamantapa, depending upon its proportion relative to that of the gharbhagrha. Apart from being used as a passage, it is also used to keep the articles of worship including naivedya (food offerings) on special occassions.

Then comes antarala, a narrow passage connecting the gharbhagrha and the mukhamantapa to the mantapa (pavilion or hall). As already stated, in most of the temples the antarala is identical with the mukhamantapa or sukanasi.

The mantapa (also called nrttamantapa or navaranga) is a big hall and is used for congregational religious acts like singing, dancing, recitation of mythological texts, religious discourses and so on.

The dhvajastambha (flagpost)  in front of either the garbhagrha or antarala or the mantapa is another common feature. It represents the flagpost of the ‘King of kings’. The lanchana (insignia) made of copper or brass fixed like a flag to the top of the post varies according to the deity in the temple. The figure on the lanchana is invariably that of the vahana (carrier vehicle) of the deity. For instance, in Siva temples it contains Nandi. In Devi temples it is the lion that finds its place. In Visnu temples Garuda gets that honour.

The balipitha (pedestal of sacrificial offerings) with a lotus or the footprints of the deity is fixed near the dhvajastambha, but nearer to the deity. Red-coloured offerings like rice mixed with vermillion powder, are kept on this at appropriate stages during the performance of rituals. This indicates the feeding of the parivaradevatas (attendant and associate deities).

There is every reason to believe that the yupastambha (Sacrificial post) and the balipitha (sacrificial pedestal) of the Vedic age have become metamorphosed into the dhvajastambha and the balipitha.

The whole temple is surrounded by a high wall (prakara) with one main and three subsidiary gates, opening in the cardinal directions. A gopuram (high tower, sometimes called as the Cow-gate) adorns these gateways.

Inside the prakara, three will be minor temples or shrines for the minor deities, connected with the main deity. For instance, in a Siva temple, the minor shrines are dedicated to Ganapati, Parvati, Subramanya and Candesvara. In a Visnu temple, Laksmi, Hanuman and Garuda find a place. In a Durga temple, Siva, Ganapati and Subramanya will be found.

Apart from these, the temple precincts include a yagasala, (sacrificial shed), pakasala (cooking shed) and kitchen, place for the utsavamurti (processional image carried during the car festivals), well or a puskarini (tank), flower garden, stores and other essential structures connected with the management of the temple as also the rituals.