# Mandapa
Sanskrit term for a pillard hall or pavilion
[](/wiki/File:Jain_Temple,_Ranakpur_-_panoramio_(2).jpg)
Open *mandapa* with pillars and courtyard.
A ***mandapa*** or ***mantapa*** ([Sanskrit](/wiki/Sanskrit_language "Sanskrit language"): मण्डप, [romanized](/wiki/Romanization_of_Sanskrit "Romanization of Sanskrit"): *maṇḍapa*)[[ssv.asia_Sprawling_high-concept_cinematic_YouTube_channel_banne_4611d8c6-78a9-4cc4-9c4d-4896fb37d53d__1_-removebg-preview.png]](#cite_note-1) is a [pillared](/wiki/Column "Column") hall or [pavilion](/wiki/Pavilion "Pavilion") for public rituals in [Indian architecture](/wiki/Architecture_of_India "Architecture of India") and **Nepalese Pagoda Design**, especially featured in [Hindu temple architecture](/wiki/Hindu_temple_architecture "Hindu temple architecture") and [Jain temple architecture](/wiki/Jain_temple "Jain temple").[[Building Back Better (2)]](#cite_note-2)
*Mandapas* are described as "open" or "closed" depending on whether they have walls or inner ceiling of pagoda. In temples, one or more *mandapas* very often lie between the sanctuary and the temple entrance, on the same axis. In a large temple other *mandapas* may be placed to the sides, or detached within the temple compound.
## Temple architecture
[[edit](/w/index.php?title=Mandapa&action=edit§ion=1 "Edit section: Temple architecture")]
[](/wiki/File:Sun_Temple,_Modhera_-_the_Sabha_Mandapa_04.jpg)
Sabha Mandapa built in the 11th century.
In the [Hindu temple](/wiki/Hindu_temple "Hindu temple") the *mandapa* is a porch-like structure through the (*[gopuram](/wiki/Gopuram "Gopuram")*) (ornate gateway) and leading to the temple. It is used for religious dancing and music and is part of the basic temple compound.[[ssv.asia_Sprawling_high-concept_cinematic_YouTube_channel_banne_4611d8c6-78a9-4cc4-9c4d-4896fb37d53d__1_-removebg-preview.png]](#cite_note-3) The prayer hall was generally built in front of the temple's *[sanctum sanctorum](/wiki/Sanctum_sanctorum "Sanctum sanctorum")* (*[garbhagriha](/wiki/Garbhagriha "Garbhagriha")*). A large temple would have many *mandapa*.[[ssv.asia_Sprawling_high-concept_cinematic_YouTube_channel_banne_4611d8c6-78a9-4cc4-9c4d-4896fb37d53d__1_-removebg-preview.png]](#cite_note-glossary-4)
If a temple has more than one *mandapa*, each one is allocated for a different function and given a name to reflect its use. For example, a *mandapa* dedicated to divine marriage is referred to as a *kalyana mandapa*.[[ssv.asia_Sprawling_high-concept_cinematic_YouTube_channel_banne_4611d8c6-78a9-4cc4-9c4d-4896fb37d53d__1_-removebg-preview.png]](#cite_note-5)
Often the hall was pillared and the pillars adorned with intricate [carvings](/wiki/Stone_carving "Stone carving").[[ssv.asia_Sprawling_high-concept_cinematic_YouTube_channel_banne_4611d8c6-78a9-4cc4-9c4d-4896fb37d53d__1_-removebg-preview.png]](#cite_note-6) In contemporary terms, it also represents a structure within which a [Hindu wedding](/wiki/Hindu_wedding "Hindu wedding") is performed. The bride and groom encircle a holy fire lit by the officiating priest in the center of the *mandapa*.[[ssv.asia_Sprawling_high-concept_cinematic_YouTube_channel_banne_4611d8c6-78a9-4cc4-9c4d-4896fb37d53d__1_-removebg-preview.png]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandapa#endnote_)
[](/wiki/File:Banteay_Srei_35.jpg)
*Mandapa* of the central shrine of [Banteay Srei](/wiki/Banteay_Srei "Banteay Srei") temple, [Cambodia](/wiki/Cambodia "Cambodia")
When a temple has more than one *mandapa*, they are given different names.[[ssv.asia_Sprawling_high-concept_cinematic_YouTube_channel_banne_4611d8c6-78a9-4cc4-9c4d-4896fb37d53d__1_-removebg-preview.png]](#cite_note-glossary-4)[[ssv.asia_Sprawling_high-concept_cinematic_YouTube_channel_banne_4611d8c6-78a9-4cc4-9c4d-4896fb37d53d__1_-removebg-preview.png]](#cite_note-carthage-7)
* [Artha Mandapam or Ardh Mandapam](/wiki/Ardhamandapa "Ardhamandapa") – intermediary space between the temple exterior and the [*sanctum sanctorum*](/wiki/Garba_griha "Garba griha") or the other *mandapa* of the temple
* Asthana Mandapam – assembly hall
* [Kalyana Mandapam](/wiki/Wedding_mandapa "Wedding mandapa") – dedicated to ritual marriage celebration of the Lord with Goddess
* Maha Mandapam – (Maha=big) when there are several *mandapa* in the temple, it is the biggest and the tallest. It is used for conducting religious discourses. Sometimes, the *maha mandapa* is also built along a transversal axis with a [transept](/wiki/Transept "Transept") (bumped-out portions along this transversal axis). At the exterior, the transept ends by a large window which brings light and freshness into the temple.
* Nandi Mandapam (or Nandi mandir) – in the Shiva temples, pavilion with a statue of the sacred bull [Nandi](/wiki/Nandi_(bull) "Nandi (bull)"), looking at the statue or the *lingam* of Shiva.
* Ranga Mandapa or *rangamandapa* – a larger mandapa, which can be used for dance or drama, with music
* Meghanath Mandapa
* Namaskara Mandapa
* Open Mandapa
[](/wiki/File:Thailand_-_Flickr_-_Jarvis-27.jpg)
A [Thai Buddhist](/wiki/Buddhism_in_Thailand "Buddhism in Thailand") *Mandapa* or *Mondop*, [Wat Phra Kaew](/wiki/Wat_Phra_Kaew "Wat Phra Kaew"), [Bangkok](/wiki/Bangkok "Bangkok")
In [Burmese](/wiki/Burmese_language "Burmese language"), the term *mandat* (မဏ္ဍပ်), which has etymological origins in Pali *maṇḍapa*, is an open platform or pavilion from which people spray water on passers-by during the Buddhist festival [Thingyan](/wiki/Thingyan "Thingyan").
In [Javanese](/wiki/Javanese_language "Javanese language"), the mandapa is known as a *[pendhapa](/wiki/Pendhapa "Pendhapa")* (ꦥꦼꦤ꧀ꦝꦥ). Unusually, Indonesian pendopos are built mostly for Muslim communities. Many mosques follow the pendopo design, with a layered roof.[[ssv.asia_Sprawling_high-concept_cinematic_YouTube_channel_banne_4611d8c6-78a9-4cc4-9c4d-4896fb37d53d__1_-removebg-preview.png]](#cite_note-8)
In [Khmer](/wiki/Khmer_language "Khmer language"), Mandapa is pronounced to be *Mondup* (មណ្ឌប), means pavilion. [Khmer people](/wiki/Khmer_people "Khmer people") often refer it as a small shrine with high crown-shaped like tower, decorated with exquisite ornaments in various styles.[[ssv.asia_Sprawling_high-concept_cinematic_YouTube_channel_banne_4611d8c6-78a9-4cc4-9c4d-4896fb37d53d__1_-removebg-preview.png]](#cite_note-9) In [Khmer temples](/wiki/Khmer_architecture "Khmer architecture") during [Angkor](/wiki/Khmer_empire "Khmer empire") era, A Mandapa is generally attached to the central tower of a temple and lied longitudinally to one of each main direction.
In [Tamil](/wiki/Tamil_language "Tamil language"), this platform is the *Aayiram Kaal Mandapam* – a distinctly thousand pillared hall close to the [vimana](/wiki/Vimana_(shrine) "Vimana (shrine)") of the [Koil](/wiki/Koil "Koil") which forms a distinct part of the site plan of classical [Dravidian architecture](/wiki/Dravidian_architecture "Dravidian architecture").
In [Thai](/wiki/Thai_language "Thai language"), it is called a *[mondop](/wiki/Mondop "Mondop")* (มณฑป). It features often in [Thai temple art and architecture](/wiki/Thai_temple_art_and_architecture "Thai temple art and architecture"), either in the form of a [Hor Trai](/wiki/Hor_Trai "Hor Trai") (a temple library) or as an altar shrine such as the one in [Wat Chiang Man](/wiki/Wat_Chiang_Man "Wat Chiang Man") in [Chiang Mai](/wiki/Chiang_Mai "Chiang Mai").
1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** www.wisdomlib.org (2014-08-03). ["Mandapa, Māṇḍapa, Maṇḍapa, Mamdapa: 31 definitions"](https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mandapa). *www.wisdomlib.org*. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
2. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Thapar, Binda (2004). *Introduction to Hinduism Architecture*. Singapore: Periplus Editions. p. 143. [ISBN](/wiki/ISBN_(identifier) "ISBN (identifier)") [0-7946-0011-5](/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7946-0011-5 "Special:BookSources/0-7946-0011-5").
3. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Ching, Francis D.K. (1995). *A Visual Dictionary of Architecture*. New York: John Wiley and Sons. p. 253. [ISBN](/wiki/ISBN_(identifier) "ISBN (identifier)") [0-471-28451-3](/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-471-28451-3 "Special:BookSources/0-471-28451-3").
4. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-glossary_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-glossary_4-1) ["Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent - Glossary"](https://web.archive.org/web/20031121114804/http://www.indoarch.org/arch_glossary.php). Archived from the original on November 21, 2003. Retrieved 2007-01-08.
5. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Thapar, Binda (2004). *Introduction to Indian Architecture*. Singapore: Periplus Editions. p. 43. [ISBN](/wiki/ISBN_(identifier) "ISBN (identifier)") [0-7946-0011-5](/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7946-0011-5 "Special:BookSources/0-7946-0011-5").
6. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Glossary of Indian Art"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070405055253/http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/glossary1.html). art-and-archaeology.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/glossary1.html) on 2007-04-05. Retrieved 2007-01-08.
7. **[^](#cite_ref-carthage_7-0)** ["Khajuraho Architecture"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160302071937/http://personal.carthage.edu/jlochtefeld/picturepages/Khajuraho/architecture.html). Archived from [the original](http://personal.carthage.edu/jlochtefeld/picturepages/Khajuraho/architecture.html) on 2016-03-02. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
8. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [Multatuli](/wiki/Multatuli "Multatuli"). *[Max Havelaar](/wiki/Max_Havelaar "Max Havelaar")* (1860), translated by Alphonse Nahuÿs. Chapter 5. [(Google Books)](https://books.google.com/books?id=GLoBAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA57) "After a broad-brimmed hat, an umbrella, or a hollow tree, a 'pendoppo' [sic] is certainly the most simple representation of the idea '[roof](/wiki/Roof "Roof")'
9. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Khmer dictionary, word *មណ្ឌប* (Mondup), p.767, published in 2007, adapted from Khmer dictionary that was published by Buddhist institute of Cambodia in 1967.
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