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The Sites of the Extant Temples
281 sites the choicest were the sacred places for baths (tirthas ).10 Hence the first preference was given to the sea-coast, the bank of a river or a stream, or the confluence of a river ( with another river or the sea ).11
It was believed that Gods like to stay at pleasant sites of the nature. Accordingly other types of natural sites were also regarded tirthas. These sites generally lie on the tops of mountains, in forests, in groves and in gardens. 18
But the ardency of devotion necessitates that temple for daily visit must be in proximity to places of human habitation. The silpaśāstra, therefore, also provides for temples in cities, towns and villages, but in that case it recommends that the temples must be built in lovely gardens or beside artificial reservoir. 13
10 The word originally denotes a descent into a river, a tank or a reservoir. 11. Brht. Sam. LV. 1; Bhavisya Purāņa 1, CXXX, 8; APPR. Su. 48, 7; Tantrasammūccaya, Patāla I, 7 (i). 12. Brht. Sam. LV, 8; Bhavisya Purāņa I, CXXX, 15. APPR. Su. 48, 8; Tantrasammuccaya, Patala, l, 7 (ii) 13. Brht. Sam. LV, 3; Bhavișya Purāņa. I, CXXX. 10.
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