The mahamantapa corresponds to heart. Appropriate since that is where heartfelt performance are offered to the deity

It refers to the concept that the body itself is a devaalaya. Suddhi (cleansing of organs), Nyasa (invoking divinity within the body), Mudra (making effective gestures), Mandala (symbolic representation of divinity), Mantra (realising deity in one’s own heart), Pranayama (regulation of breath), Dhyana (contemplation) and Sohambhavana (becoming one with divinity). These refer to the various practices which help realise the divinity within the human body.

The picture is of Kamakhya Adi Shakti Peeth temple in Guwahati.

According to Manasara, there are four groups of guilds involved in temple costruction. Vardhana means “grow” and Vardhaki is in charge of the strength and quality of materials. He should have traditional knowledge and also his own thought process. He should have creativity.

Each of the Yoginis represents a tantra of Shiva. That is the reason why normally a Shiva temple is located at the centre of the Chausat Yogini temples. They are normally open roofed as the Yoginis are supposed to have the capability to fly.

The Vimana is the most distinguishing feature of the various temple styles of India.

The outer walls of the temple have niches for several hundred or thousands of lamps (Vilakku Madams). In big temples these are lit every evening.

The thoni or boat carrying goods for festival feast to Aranmula temple is called Thiruvonachilavu thoni. Once, the legend goes, the chieftain of Ayiroor, a nearby village, planned to intercept the traditional boat carrying the materials to Aranmula. The news spread like wild fire and men from twenty-eight Karas decided to thwart the attempt. Fully armed, they escorted the sacred boat in their own chundans or snake-boats to the temple, thus frustrating the chieftain’s plan. In celebration of this event, a snake boat race is held every year. Snake-boats from thirty Karas from Chennithala in the west to Ranni in the east participate in the Vallomkali. They assemble at the temple ghat from early morning and sail ahead in pairs. The course is about two hours long.

This is the Ananta Vasudeva temple which illustrates the several mandapas that a Kalinga Nagara style has. The Ram Mandir at Ayodhya will also follow the Kalinga Nagara style.

Kashi is Krita Yuga Kshetra. Kashi is also said to be the earthly manifestation of Shiva’s luminous sacred emblem, the linga of light, where Shiva’s infinite shaft of light pierced the earth. Badri and Mansarovar are also Krita yuga teerthas.

The Pandava Rathas in Mahabalipuram underscore the commonality between the term Devalaya and Ratha

Chavundaraya Basadi at Shravanabelagola. You may notice that there are no sculptures of deities in the Bhitti

The Chennakesava temple at Somanathapura is considered as a pinnacle of Hoysalan architecture. The temple has three Garbha Gruhas, dedicated to Kesava, Janardhana and Venugopala

Vigraha is what captures the infinite divine principle into a physical structure. The eternal formless principle has been captured in a concrete form. It is not necessary for the Vigraha to be made of metal or any permanent material. There are also Devalayas where space or a depression or a flame is worshipped.

Our temples cannot be called religious monuments because the term religion itself is not appropriate to our culture. There is no single book or one God or prophet.

Tirumala is a Kaliyuga Kshetra. The other three belong to different Yugas. Sringeri and Udupi are also Kaliyuga teerthas