Did you know this fact about our temples?

Based on presence of Pradakshina Path (P) around Garbha Griha our temples are of two kinds.

@ReclaimTemples @punarutthana @LostTemple7

1.Sandhara – are temples with Pradakshina Path to go around Garbha Griha.

Sandhara means providing Aadhaara. With the presence of Pradakshina path an extra layer of external wall is created to to share the weight Shikhara & save Garbha Griha.

Eg. Vishwanatha Temple, Khajuraho

2.Nirandhara - are temples without Pradakshina Path to go around Garbha Griha.

Since there is no external wall to provide extra support to bear weight of Shikhara, the temples is Niradhaara – without Aadhaara.

Eg. Devi Jagadambha Temple, Khajuraho

So Shikhara of Nirandhara temple is not as lofty & majestic as Sandhara Shikhara.

By seeing the (P) marking in picture, we can identify from outside, if a temple is Sandhara or Nirandhara.

The pradakshina path is made for two purposes:

1) Providing extra support weight bearing mechanism to Shikhara.

2) Providing space & Shelter to devotees to complete the pradakshina of God.

As per SamanaranganaSutradhara by Great Bhoja Raja – Sandhara itself contains 25 varieties of temples.

Did we miss this great knowledge about our own temples or are we purposefully kept away from our texts?

For more information about our temples visit - https://www.instagram.com/tourism_teacher/

Sincere Apologies read it as "SamaranganaSutradara"

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