MAYAMATA

An Indian Treatise on Housing

Architecture and Iconography
 The title MAYAMATAM attributes to the Maya Muni. He was the original
author of this book on Vaastu science and technology.
 This is an authoritative and comprehensive thesis on Architecture.
 This book deals with all facets of god’s and men’s dwellings, from the
choice of the site to the iconography of the temple walls.
 It contains numerous, precise descriptions of villages and towns as well as of
temples, houses, mansions and palaces.
 It gives guidance for the selection of proper orientation, right dimensions,
and of appropriate materials.
 It intends to be a manual for the architect and a guidebook for layman. Well
thought-of by traditional architects (sthapati-s) of South India, the thesis is
of great interest at a time when technical traditions, in all fields, are being
scrutinized for their possible application in modern age.
 MAMUNI MAYAN
 a culture hero character from Tamil Sangam literature (the
Silappathikaram, Manimekalai, and Civaka Cintamani epics), identified
with the asura Maya Dānava (Mayasura) of the Mahabharata, the
mythical founder of Vastu Shastra.

 Mamuni Mayan is credited with feats ranging from the composition of a

primeval "Pranava Veda" to the construction of UFOs. In Tamil
national mysticism, Mayans "Pranava Veda" is considered the original
Tamil Veda, written some 10,000 years ago in Romakapura, from
which the Hindu Vedas are imperfect derivations.

 Mayan is credited with the authorship of the Mayamata Vastu Shastra

as well as the Aintiram (Aindra, a school of grammar connected with the
Tolkāppiyam). If there had been a grammatical treatise called Aintiram,
it has been lost, but a text called Mayan's Aintiram dealing with Vastu
Shastra was published by Sthapati in 1986, with the support of C.
Aranganayakam, Tamil Nadu minister of education, and again in 1997
by the "Vaastu Vedic Research Foundation" with English commentary
by S. P. Sabarathnam.
 The 29 September 2003 edition of the Deccan Herald had an article
on Mayan by [Link],

 The originator of all these ancient sciences is one known as Mayasura

of the same tribe that constructed the Mayasabha of Mahabharata.
 But the period is that of Ramayana some 16,000 years ago.
 He is the father of Mandodari and father-in-law of Ravana. One of
his niece was Sita, who had married Rama and [by] an error of
judgement started the epic war.
 He was master in many subjects. Some of these are: Vastu Shastra,
Jyotirganita-Surya Siddhanta, Aintiram, ... cartography,
fundamental physics, the Brahma principle, the yogashastra etc.
 His contribution to Aesthetics ... was highly appreciated by late Prof.
[Surendra] Barlinge.
n of Maya Sabha Inaugural session of Maya Sabha, held by Pandavas headed by Yudhisthira and attended by several kings and s
 Chapters 1-10 : deals with
dwelling sites
 Chapters 11-30 : Buildings
 Chapters 31-36 : Vastu w.r.t
vehicles and seats and
Iconography

Mayamata is based on
Shivasastra which focuses on
Shiva temples and Linga.
CHAPTER 1-4 : EARTH AND SITES
 In these chapters, they have considered earth as a stabilizing agent; a
base or place from where other things emerged.
 For the examination of sites, they examine the soil stability and the
properties of the soil (fertility, colour, odour, texture, orientation, form,
sound and tactility).
 They perform rituals on the site and verify it.
 The site suitable for brahmins is square, white, without defects,
planted with Udumbara Trees (ficus racemosa) and the site sloping
towards the north. Such a site is guaranteed for good fortune
 For kings, the length of the site should be one-eighth more than its
width, red in colour and bitter in flavour sloping towards east and
planted with Ashvatha trees (peepal).
 For Vysyas, the length of the site is to be one-sixth more
than its width, sloping towards east, yellow in colour, sour
taste and planted with Plaksa Trees.
 In general, a rectangular site is preferred with an even
ground free from pebbles, pointed stones, etc.
 A site shaped in the form of a monkey, which is too near to
a temple, irregular, triangular, one planted with thorn
trees, cremation ground etc are rejected.
 Once the site is chosen, the wise architect performs rituals to
take the possessions off the site and the soil is made fertile and
flowers are offered on an auspicious day.
 A square piece of land oriented to the cardinal points must be
dug out to the depth of a cubit and filled with water.
 After a day, if the water has evaporated, the site is rejected.
CHAPTER 5 – SYSTEM OF MEASUREMENTS
 All habitations are defined by their dimensions : 8 atoms are equal
to a speck of a dust to a tip of hair, then to a nit, to a louse and
finally to a grain of barley.
1) 8 barley grains = 1 digit “angula” or “matra”
2) 6 digits (angula) = 1 “hastha” or “kisku”
3) 12 digits (angula) = 1 cubit “ vitasti”
4) 24 digits = “prajapatya”
5) 26 digits = “dhanurmusti”
6) 27 digits = “danugraha”
 The unit “Dhanurmusti” is used for buildings and the unit
“Dhanugraha” is used for villages.
 The unit “cubit” is used for vehicles, seats and houses.

 A barley grain is used for measuring small objects in vehicles

and seats while a “digit” is used for measuring larger objects.
 The “Mantraguna” is equal to the middle phalanx of the middle
finger of the officiating priest which is used for measurements
related to sacrifices.
 There are 4 sorts of builders, each with their function.
 The Architect “Sthapthi” (man of quality, master of his senses,
attentive, master in science of Architecture)
 The “Sutragrahin” ( disciple/ son of Architect)

 The “Virdhaki” ( versed in masonry, virtuous, capable and

cognizant of his trade – erects and assembles the pieces cut by
takshaka )
 The “Taksaka” ( cuts the stones, wood, brick, etc )
CHAPTER 6 : ORIENTATION
 Method of determining cardinal points with the help of a Gnomon
(projecting piece on the sundial that shows the time position of its
shadow).
Dimensions Of Gnomon:
Large Size: 1 cubit long, diameter is 1 digit at the top and 5 at the
bottom, perfectly circular without irregularities.
Medium Size: 18 digits
Small Size: 12 or 9 digits, their diameter at the top and bottom being
proportionate to its length.
 Materials: Ivory, sandalwood, wood of Khadira, Kadara, sami, Sakha,
hardwood
 Tip should be perfectly circular.
Process:
 When the Gnomon has been
made, it is set up in the chosen
place at sunrise and a circle is
drawn of which the gnomon is the
centre.
 The line which joins the 2 points
where the shadow has touched the
circle in the morning and evening
gives the east-west direction.
 The line which passes through the
space between these 2 points and
connects the head and tail of a
carp is the North-South direction.
CHAPTER 7 : DIAGRAMS

 Deals with arrangement of diagrams suitable for sites.

 There are basically 32 diagrams. Eg: Sakala(1 Square), Pecaka (4
Squares), Upapita (25 Squares), Manduka (64 Squares), Asana (100
Squares)
 Each square in these diagrams are said to be occupied by divinity.
 Amongst the diagrams, the Manduka is the one which should be used
for all constructions. Brahma is in the centre of this diagram.
 The spirit of the building “Vastupurusha” has 6 bones, a heart, 4
vulnerable points and 4 vessels. He lies up on the ground with his head
towards the east.
 PITHA

MANDUKA DIAGRAM
MAHAPITHA
Vastupurusha
Diagram
CHAPTER 8 : OFFERINGS
 It is prescribed that offerings should be made to each God in his
own place; individual and common offerings are made starting
with that to Brahma. For Eg: Perfumes, garlands, incense, ghee,
rice boiled in milk, roasted rice, etc.
 A young girl should be called to carry the offerings with a pure
mind and then water is offered.
 The common offerings should be made appropriate to each god
and water is offered again.
 The “Manduka” is then set up on the site.
CHAPTER 9 : VILLAGES AND OTHER SETTLEMENTS
 Dimensions and plans for villages and other settlements are set out
according to the rule.
System Of Measurements:
 It is to be known that 500 Poles (Dhanda) make one “Krosa” twice of
which is half a “Gavyuta” and 8000 poles make 1 “Yojana”
Dimensions Of Villages (Grama) :
 The largest size for villages is 1000 poles and the smallest is 200.
Dimensions Of Towns (Nagara) :
 The largest size for towns is 8000 poles and the smallest is 1000-
2000
 There are mainly 5 types of settlements namely: Grama, Nagara, Kheta,
Kharvata, Durga.

The Ayadi System:

 The dimensions given in poles have to be increased or decreased so as to
agree with the Ayadi Series in order that a perfect result may be achieved.
 They must be selected in such a way that they do not oppose the gains,
losses, matrices, asterisms, ages, solar days and lunar day, nor to the
asterisms of the founder nor to his name or to the place.
 A set of calculations are made such that the end result co-responds to one
of the 8 matrices (flag, cloud, lion, dog, bull, donkey, elephant and crow).
No. of Brahmins:
 It is prescribed that 7000 Brahmins be installed in a large
village of the intermediate category, 6000 in medium one and
5000 in a small one.
 A village in which there is only 1 family is a “Kutika” or
“Ekabhoga”

Names of villages:
 It is said that there are 8 types of villages namely : “Dhandaka”,
“Svastika”, “Prastara”, “Prakirnaka”, “Nandyavarta”, “Paraga”,
“Padma” and “Sripratisthita”
Streets:
 The streets on the periphery of all villages is called “Mangalavithi”
 The temple or atlar is installed at the centre which is called “place of
brahma”
 The width of the street is 2-5 poles but those which tranverse the
village from East to West are 6 poles and are called main streets.
 The streets which encircles the middle of the village is called
“Brahmavithi”.
 The roads leading to the gates are called “Rajavithi”
 The street for temple chariot is called “Mangalavithi”
 The streets leading to the secondary gates are called “Naraca”
 The streets going towards north are called “Vamana”, “Ksudra” and
“Argala”
 Types of Settlements:
• A place where there are only Brahmins are settled is called
Mangala.
Princes and Merchants- Pura
Ordinary people- Grama
Ascetics- Matha

• Sages call a village with roads going to north and east as

“Dandaka.” Both are rectilinear at cross at right angles to each
other.

• A Swastika village is the one whose diagram consists of nine

squares.
Gates:
 The gateways are established on the squares of “Bhallata”,
“Mahendra”, “Raksasa” and “Puspadanta”.
 The four sewage outlets are on the squares of “Vitatha”,
“Jayanta”, “Sugriva” and “Mukhya”.
 The breadth of the door is 3,5 or 7 cubits and their height
double, 1.5 or 1.75 of that.
 Every village must be surrounded by moats and ramparts.
 Temple locations:

 At the heart of the village are the temples consecrated by Brahmins.

 The temple of Vinayaka should be on the square of Brngaraja; Shiva

on the square of Isha; similarly other positions are given for the
attendants of Shiva.

 It is laid out tha, in villages, there may be superior, medium, inferior

or lowly buildings but that a lowly building should not be installed in a
village (superior).
 Divinities Of Gates: Candeswara, khadgin, etc.
 Orientation of Shrines:
 The temple of Isha is oriented toward east or west.
 The temple of Vishnu may be oriented in any direction but is
beneficial if oriented toward the centre of the village.
 The dwellings of the gods should be built prior to the houses.

Temples should not be built on the heart, bones and

intersections and empty spaces of the Spirit of the site.
Planning:
 The cowshed should be toward the north and dwellings of ascetics
near eastern gate or west, gardens should be to the north; The
quarters of Vaishyas to the south and that of Shudras on the
periphery.

Houses:
 The width of houses should be either 3,5, 7 or 9 poles and
corresponding widths are obtained by adding successively 2 poles to
the width but should not exceed twice those widths.
 The house may be 1, 2 ,3 or 4 building with respect to its appearance
and the dwellings of the „Sthapathi‟ are to be erected at a distance
fom the village.
Errors in Planning:
 The houses of Chandalas, cemetery and well shouldn‟t be badly
placed: temples and bazaars shouldn‟t be empty and dirt shouldn‟t
be thrown on the ground as all these are signs of misfortune.

Placing the foundation:

 If there is a foundation deposit then success is ensured. Greatest
care must therefore be taken in laying of comprehensive deposit
including earth, roots, grains, metals etc.
 Everything should be arranged in the casket after the foundation.
CHAPTER 10: TOWNS
 Dimensions: 78 widths are used for towns, 21 widths are used for
very small towns.
 Proportions: The length is double the width or one-fourth of it.
 Surrounding Walls: Squares, Rectangles, Round, Elliptical and
Perfect Square are the 5 different layouts used. Their length is
seven-tenth of the perimeter of the town. The thickness of the wall
(bottom) is 2-4 cubits.
 Places to Avoid: Diagrams such as Pecaka (4 square) or Asana ( 100
square) or those between them should be used. The sage must
avoid buildings on their lines and other forbidden places.
 Streets: A street should be planned starting from North or East.
 The Royal Capital: A smaller town in the middle of the heavily
populated big city is impregnated at the North and East.
 Definitions:
1. Kheta- Inhabited by sudra situated in the vicinity of a river or
mountaion.
2. Pattana- A place where products from other countries are found.
3. Senamerkha- A place were people of all castes are mixed
4. Dronamukha- A town which extends along the right and left banks
of river
 Forts- There are mainly 7 types of forts: Mountain Fort,
Forest Fort, Water Fort, Earth Fort, Desert Fort, Natural
Fort, Mixed Fort. A fort should contain resources of water,
food and of weapons, fortified gateways, ramparts and
stairs. Brick ramparts should be at least 12 cubits high.
 Town Planning- When there is one single street, it is
Danduka. If there are 3 streets towards the east separated
from each other by several alleys, this is Vedibhadra plan,
suitable for all types of towns. Swashka plan is also same
as in for villages. Cross roads shouldn‟t b established at
the centre of the town.
 Baazars: Also known as Antharpana. This disposition is
appropriate to all towns.
 These measurements, plans and
streets suitable for villages and
other settlements are described
according to Tantra.
CHAPTER 11: NO. OF STOREYS AND DIMENSIONS
 There are differences between the buildings due to the layout of the
plan, whether it is square, rectangle, round, elliptical, octagonal,
hexagonal or apsidal.
 There are 4 widths for a single storey building starting from 3 or 4
cubits.
 For 2 storeyed buildings, there are 4 possible widths from 5 or 6
cubits to 11 or 12.
 For 3 storeyed buildings, there are 7 or 8 cubits to 15 or 16.
 For 4 and 5 storeyed buildings, there are 9 or 10 cubits to 15 or 17.
 The height may be double or one and a half times or one and a quarter
times the width.
 Buildings which are less than 15 cubits are considered as small
buildings.
 Buildings which are greater than 23 are considered as larger buildings.
Larger buildings are of 3 types: Superior, Medium, Inferior.
 It is stated that buildings (temples) which consisted of:
12 storeys are for Sarvabhauma Gods
11 storeys are for Raksasa, Yaksa, Gandharva
9-10 storeys for Brahmins.
7 storeys for Crown, Princes and Kings.
5 storeys for offices
3-4 for merchants and sudras.
CHAPTER 12: THE FOUNDATION DEPOSIT
 A pit is a square lined with bricks and stone. The depth of the pit
containing the deposit must be equal to the height of the base
of the building concerned.
 After the pit has been filled with water, its bottom should be
covered with every sort of earth: from a river, pond, wheat field,
mountain and an ant hill.
 A layer of 8 types of flowers are placed over it. Above it are
arranged 8 grains namely Sali, Vrihi, Kodrava, Kanku, Mudga,
Masa, Kulattha and Tila.
SPECIFIC DEPOSITS FOR HUMAN DWELLINGS:
Specific foundation deposits are given for castes, brahmins and
others.
 For brahmins: It comprises of a Karaka vase and a tooth stick,
one in copper, the other in gold, as well as a sacred thread, the
sacrificial fire and the utensils for sacrifice, all in silver.
 For ksatriyas: It comprises of a gold discus at the centre, to the
left a silver conch and a copper bow, to the right a gold mace and
iron sword.
 For vaisya: It comprises of a couch in iron, a small copper crab,
the five weapons and a bean in lead.
 For sudra: It comprises of a seed bowl, a gold plough and a coper
CHAPTER 13: SOCLE

 Socle (plinth) is placed below the building to make it higher, beautiful and
more solid.
 It is of 3 types:
1) Vedibhadra- the height of socle is divided into 12 equal parts. There are 2
sorts, depending on the no. of mouldings suitable for all buildings
2) Pratibhadra- Socle furnished with mouldings. There are 2 Pratibhadra
socles where the height of the first one from plinth to the string course which
is divided into 27 equal parts. The second one is divided one part more than
the height of the first one
3) Subhadra- The height of one type of this socle is divided into 21 equal parts
and the second type has mouldings of different heights.
 The height of all socles are to be increased or diminished to bring them into
proportion with the base.
CHAPTER 14: THE BASE
Preparing the ground
 For the buildings of houses of gods, brahmins and other classes.
 There are two sorts of ground suitable i.e dry(jangala) ad moist(anipa)-Dry
terrain is well supplied with gravel ,hard to dig and when it is dug rich in
water clear as [Link] the terrain is moist when the foundations ,dug to
the dimensions of the projected building ,reveal open blue lotuses and
withered cucumbers along with white sand.
 After the water has been reached the trench should be filled with bricks
,earth and fine sand and packed tight so that there are no gaps, then this
is stamped by trampling of elephants and logs of hard wood.
 The remaining hollow is filled with water which will retain and used to
verify he horizontility of the ground.
 The base is that upon which buildings such as temples rest .Its
height is determined in 2 ways according to the number of storeys of
the building or to the caste.
 The base is of 14 types, each divided into different number of parts-
[Link] base - 24 equal parts
These parts are prescribed by the sags for buildings intended for
brahmins, kings, vaisya and rudra.
[Link] base – 18 equal parts
This base is suitable for the palaces of gods ,brahmins and kings.
[Link] base – 21 equal parts
The base is suitable for temples and castes depending upon the
type of decorations.
[Link] base – 26 equal parts
The base is prescribed for the temples of sambhu.
[Link] base – 19 equal parts
This base is prescribed by the foremost among the artisans
for medium and large temples.
[Link] base – 32 equal parts
It must be established by an able vardhaki ,suitable for the
palaces of gods and kings and brings good health and
prosperity.
[Link] base – 26 equal parts
This base is used for the palaces of gods and of kings.
[Link] base
This base is furnished with projecting fillet ,groove and
upper string course :its torus is octagonal or rounded and it is
suitable for the denizens of the sky.
[Link] base – 26 equal parts
This base is appropriate only for gods.
[Link] base – 18 equal parts
This base is used for houses of principal gods without
there being any error.
[Link] base – 22 equal parts
[Link] base
This base has rounded torus and dripstone at th top of the
base.
[Link] base.
When the upper string ourse and the top fillet together
take up four parts and when the torus resembls a chamfered
string course the base is called pratibandha base.
[Link] base – 24 equal parts.
 In order to make base more solid the wise man should
add or subtract to the proportions indicated.
 In no case the stereobate (prati) which tops the base
should be interrupted for all buildings.
 The height of the base is half that of the pillars or itt is
equal to that half ,less a sixth ,seventh or eighth.
CHAPTER 15: DIMENSIONS OF PILLARS AND CHOICE OF
MATERIALS
 Pillars are also called as Sthanu, Pada, Stamba, Kampa.
Dimensions of Pillars:
 Ground floor of 12 storey high is eight and a half cubits high.
 Diameter of the base of the pillar is usually one-eighth the height of
the pillar; pilaster is around two-third that of the pillar.
 The thickness of the wall is 4 times that of the pillar.
Different Types:
1. Brahmakanta- Square section with bell capital and abacus
2. Vishnukanta- Octagonal section
3. Indrakanta- Hexagonal section
 Pillar is always decorated with animal motifs, no matter what form it
is in.
Module (DAMDA):
 It is the width of the top of the pillar and according to this
module all measurements of every element of the building
is to be taken.

Pillars:
 Starting from the top, successively are the bracket capital
“Potika”, dye (featuring a human figure), abacus “mandi”,
bell capital “Tumba”, support “skandha”, the doucine and
the band ornamented with garlands.
Choice Of Materials:
 Wood, stone and brick are the materials to be used for
vertical elements such as pillars and horizontal elements
such as architraves.
1. Trees: Hard and vigrious; neither too old nor sapling. Eg.
Sala, Champaka, Arjuna, etc.
2. Stone: Even colour, hard.

3. Bricks: without flaw, compact, uniformly baked and

should give harmonious sound.
 The earth should be free from gravel, stones, roots and
CHAPTER 16 : ENTABLATURES

 This chapter describes the parts of the entablature from the

architrave to the frieze.
 Architrave and the upper facia- There are 3 kinds of architraves:

1. Khandottara- height is equal to the width

2. Patrabandha- height is three quarters its width

3. Rupottara- height is half the width

 The height and projection of the architrave‟s upper facia is

decorated with foliage.
 The braces- Above this are the braces (pramalika)
provided with tenons at the top and bottom. Their height is
one module and their diameter a quarter or a third of its
height.
 Consoles- The consoles (dandika) is above the braces
whose width is equal to one module and thickness equal
to a quarter of the width.
 Lierne or dripstone- Above this is the lierne (valaga) or the
dripstone (gopana) whose height and width vary according
to the circumstances and its thickness is proportional to
its height.
 The Struts- The struts (Kayapada) are placed in between
the consoles and the upper fascia.
 Top of the Entablature- Above the cornice is a fillet (alinga)
of which the height is a quarter of a module. Above this is a
frieze with a height of one module, three-fourth or half a
module, ornamented with vyala, lions or elephants. There
are 3 types of friezes: Samakara, Citrakhanda, Nagavaktra.
 Arrangement of Beams- The beams must be arranged over
the upper fascia of the architrave. Above the beams are the
joists whose width and height are equal to the width of the
beam. The assembling of the entablature and pillars is to
be done with a mixture of brick and lime.
 Height of Entablature- The height is equal to that of the
base, less a tenth or an eighth or it is half the height of the
 The Stereobate- Above the attic is the stereobate of the
attic, the height of which is one and a half, three-fourth
or twice the frieze.
 Latticed Windows- Above the stereobate, the latticed
windows are placed in such a way that they don‟t
coincide with the middle of the wall or the axis of the
pillar.
 Walls- The well advised man builds walls of wood, stone
or bricks. There are 3 sorts of wall: Latticed, Planked
and Brick.
CHAPTER 17: JOINERY
 In this topic, assembling of oblique, horizontal and vertical
pieces is explained.
 The pieces must be arranged or assembles with the
awareness that one will support and the other will be
supported.
 There are different types of assemblies:
1. Mallalila- Single joinery uniting 2 pieces.
2. Brahmarajan- Three pieces are united by 2 assemblies.
Similarly Sarvatabhadra, Nandyavatra, etc.
Tenons/Pegs (Sikka/danta): The width of a tenon of a peg is
one-seventh the width of the pillar.
CHAPTER 18: UPPER LEVELS OF ELEVATION AND THE
CONSECRATION CEREMONY
 Discusses about the decoration elements of the attic, the
shapes of roofs, proportions of rafters and the characteristics of
the finial.
Attic: The proper attic is twice as high as its stereobate and the
height of the roof is double or triple of that the attic.
Roof: The height of the roof is proportional to the distance
between to consoles which is either six- thirteenth or seven-
fifteenth lines.
Roof Shapes: The roofs intended for Gods maybe in square,
circular, hexagonal or octagonal shaped. The roof of palaces have
1. Stupika (finial)
2. Kuta (newel)
3. Bandha (collar beam)
4. Lupa (rafter)
9. Tula (beam)
10. Architrave
12. Pillar shaft
CHAPTER 19-22: ONE- MORE THAN FOUR STOREYED
TEMPLES
 These chapters describe temples with upto 12 storeys and
which have all the six levels of elevation, with the repetition of
the levels of pillars and entablature when the edifice has more
than one storey.
 The plan of the ground floor may be reduced to one central
room, the sanctum “garbhagriha” surrounded by a wall
(grihapindi). Aisles may intervene between the sanctum and the
exterior wall.
 The entrance to the sanctum is preceded by a pavilion
(mukhamandapa) which is said to play the role of a nave.
 When the upper levels are concerned, the description of their
CHAPTER 23-25 : Enclosures and attendants shrines,gateways,
pavillions and halls.
 Enclosures:
 The temple is surrounded by an enclosure or by several
concentric ones which delimit quotes in which various
annexes are arranged.
 There are five atmost; the height and thickness of their walls
increased towards the exterior and galleries maybe built
against those walls.
 The houses of the temple presits is in one of the enclosure
but those of other personnel are outside them.
 The gateways corresponding to the five enclosures increase
 Pavilions:
 The Pavilion is somewhat the all purpose building of
Indian architecture.
 It is characterised by 3 level elevation(Base Pillars
entablature)
 The edifice may or may not be hypostyle, but in every case
the unit of reference for the proportions is the inter
columnation.
 The Pillars of the Mantapa are in stone or wood.

 The Pavillion describes a sacrificial pit and a Pavillion for

CHAPTER 26-28: HOUSES
 Houses appear as the juxta position of one of the several
“closed” elements (main buildings) and one or several “open”
ones. (Galleries verandhas, Porches, Courtyards:.
 Houses are classified according to the number of their main
buildings ( 1,2,3,4, 7 or 10) and to the arrangement of these
main buildings in relation to “open” elements.
 It is the term “Sala” which most often designates a main
building. A main building is usually an elongated edifice
covered with a wagon roof or a saddle back proof with a gable
at each of its ends.
 It may consist of a single piece but more often divided into 2 or
3 by 1 or 2 partition walls.
 The name and the position of the principal main building vary
according to the category to which the occupant of the house
belong, but it is always essential that the median of this main
building does not coincide with the corresponding median fo
the diagram.
 If the house is meant for Brahmins, it is called, “Sukhalya”. If
it is for Kshatreya is called “Annalaya”. For Vyshyas and
Sudras it is called “Dhanyalaya”.
 Houses meant for the Brahmins is to the North of the central
Pavillion, towards East for the Kshatriyas, South for the
Vysyas, West for Sudras.
 Once the principal main building has been setup the position
 Dwelling houses are not only sala to b described even monastic
buildings are put into the same category. Monastic buildings
stables for horses and elephants are represented as a specific
kind of edifice with several main buildings, these numbering
eleven are parallel to one another and both the two principal
facades of the resulting assembly are constituted by the juxta
position of the eleven gable walls.
 The layout begins with the marking out of the limits of the area in
the middle of which the house is to stand , which are is
surrounded by a wall., then a 64 square diagram must be drawn
on the ground whose dimension of the house are of those to be
built and where the vulnerable points are to be marked. Then the
medians of the four sides of the diagram are drawn and will be
used for the layout of the central pavilion and the of the principal
main building.
 The wall separating them is called the median wall or “Wall of
Ka”, it is to pass above the foundation deposit and to be
penetrated by a door of the specific type called Kulyabhadvara.
 The main buildings are always at right angles to one another ,
but are joined according to different modes for example, two
main buildings may inter penetrate and their ridge beams
intersect or the main buildings may be joined end to end in
which case corner rafters will mark the joining of their roofs.
 The open elements are designated by various terms which are
apparently interchangeable and may all be applied to hypostyle
structures or to uncovered areas, whether or not bordered on
several sides by construction when it comes to the simplest
house with a single main building, he open element is made up
of a gallery or a veranda running along one of the sides or the
main building, but the arrangement is usually more complex –
CHAPTER 29: ROYAL PALACES
 The royal palace has the form of a cluster of buildings, very diverse
and with many large free spaces, the ensemble will be situated
within a town or a fortified camp after the fashion of a temple it is
arranged in concentric zones separated from each other by
enclosure walls.
 The area reserved for women is concerned it is to be noted that the
main apartments of the queen are usually to the south or noth and
that the greater part of the other female members of the royal
entourage are placed to the west.
 The Position of the Palace within a tow varies according to the statue
of the sovereign who lives there and it is only when it is for an
emperor that it occupies the central part of the town.
 The town is to be fortified and its essential function is the sheltering
CHAPTER 30: DOORS
 The architects of those times were concerned with the
position,width and height of the front doors of the houses.
 A door is said to be at least 3 spans wide and 7 spans high. A
small or medium door was prescribed fro each story.a door
whose height is double its width si never appropriate for human
dwelling.
 Door jambs are equal to that of pillars.
 The leaf of the door is said to be composed of odd number and
join in the middle should be avoided.
 Kings who went through big doors were suposed to have a
longer and succesful lives.
Position of doors: It should be situated on the median axis
of the building for kings and brahmins and on the side for
the rest. Amongst the 32 squares doors should be placed
on mahendra rakshasa,puspakdanta and bhallata. The
dimensions of the door must be acoord with those of the
corresponding stories of the building.
Gateways: There are different types of gateways single
storeyed, double storeyed and so on seven storeys and
there are different types in each which differ in width, wall
thickness, levels and shapes
There‟s stereobate which is the dividing line between each
storey. So there are 21 types of gateways in total
described by maya.
CHAPTER 31: VEHICLES
 Consider there to be three types of palanquin
[Link] Palanquin: The width is three spans and the length five.
The length is one and half times of the width. The hand rail is
two and half digits and thickness is three quarter. A plank is
arranged below and above one digit decorated with men,
women, animals and dancing figures.
[Link] Palanquin: The height is equal to the width or three and
a half of width provided with pillars and has a roof (similar to
that of prasada).
[Link] Palanquin: It is in the shape of bald head similar to
sikara where height is equal to width.
 The following trees are suitable
according to ancients for making
vehicles:
Saka,kala,panasa,arjuna,nimba,mandh
uka and tinasa.
Chariots: The width from outside of the
wheels is six,seven or eight span. There
are five long beams whose thickness
and width are four,three or two digits.
The diameter of the wheel is equal to
the length of the cross beam
surmounting the [Link] naive has a
diametr of 10 digits. The long beam are
with iron bands, nails and cords. The
height of the pillars which midway up,
support the hand rail is as high as half
of the diametr of the wheel. The time
CHAPTER 32: BEDS AND SEATS

 Beds :The width of bed is 3 spans and length is 5 spans. A pin

should be placed at the centre of the assembly of all the pieces
so as to make it secure. The leg of the bed should be straight
and height should not be more than a span.
 Divans: a divans is of planks or straps in various materials.A
tiger foot or gazzle is reserved for brahmins and kings and the
3rd type i.e. Straight feet is for 2nd classes.
 Seats: A seat with straight legs is ti be made in the same way as
a bed. Its width and height is equal i.e. 29,27 or 25 digits.
Length is more than its width.
 Lion throne: It is meant for gods and kings. It comprises
an arcature and a back with decoration. The seat is as
wide as the body of the throne and twice as long , height
not more than 5 digits.
 Stand for worship: There are 10 possible widths from 6
digits to cubit. It is square rectangle or circular and
heights is half, 6th or 8th of its width.
CHAPTER 33: LINGA

 There are different types of divine representation of god;

symbolic ionic and mixed.
 Linga comes under symbolic representation.
Characteristics of stones:
The different varnas of people were restricted in the
following way to represent gods-
[Link]-White stone
[Link]-Red stone
[Link]-Yellow stone
[Link]-Black stone
LINGA
 The stone should be of a very
good quality.
 The dimensions of temple and
linga are interlinked.
Position: The linga should be
placed in the centre of shrain.
Linga is also made earth,
wood, precious stones, metal, etc.
 The dimensions are different for
lingas in nagar, dravidian, vesara
style temples
CHAPTER 34: PEDESTALS
 Materials: Only one kind of material is to used for representation
of socle.
 The pedestal dimension should not be bigger than the height of
the linga. The width of the pedestal is equal to triple diameter of
Linga or to the circumference
 There are different shapes of pedestals like, it may be polygonal
or some other types of pedestals are:
Bhadra,Padma,Vajrapitha,Mahambuja ,.etc. Which are divided
into various parts [plinths,doucine,torus,string course,rim etc]
 Usually the Vajrapadma pedestals with 14 levels is suitable for
all kinds of lingas
CHAPTER 35: RENOVATION WORK

 This chapter gives rules compiled from other works relating to

the renovation of temples, linga, pedestals, villages.
 For those temples whose characteristics could not be perceived,
a different or better must be used for renovating.
 For those temples whose characteristics are still perceptible,
same material should be used for renovation. the extension of
enclosures may be made according to rule towards the north or
east or towards all the points of periphery.
 A building should be reerrected without the foundation rituals.
 Renovation of linga and pedestals are usually installed in
cases of theft, damaged, sinking, weathering, if it has
fallen off, has cracks, etc.
Provisional Installation:
Provisional installation is to be made at the very
beginning of the work of construction of new building,
during repair or renovation.
The provisional shrine is to be installed at 9 poles
to north of main shrines and the dimension should be
quarter that of the original.
CHAPTER 36: ICONOGRAPHY
 This chapter presents the arrangement, colours, attributes,
mounts, decoration, emblems and emplacements of gods, of
whom the 1st is Brahma and of the goddesses.
 This has been given of various gods like Brahma, Vishnu,
Varaha, Narsimha, Maheshwara, Kalyana, Shanmuka, etc.
 For example Brahma has four faces and four arms, pure gold
in colour, wearing ear pendants, armlets and necklace.
 The proportions of images can be chosen according to height
of the founder or according to likes of the founder or can aslo
be based on height of the pillars used.
 The dimensions calculated from those of the temples are to
be used for small buildings and those calculated in cubits