________________
The plan for the caumukha temple, though complex, is not cumbersome. When seen from the centre, from the square sanctum with a quadruple image of the deity, a geometrical elegance is evident. Since the temple is built on westerly hill-slope, along its western facade, the jagati or the adhisthana had to be made very high. On top and at the centre of the platform, which is terraced inside, the garbhagṛha -square sanctum is located with its four openings, each through one of the four walls. Each of these openings of the sanctum leads to a rangamaṇḍapa dancing hall, which, in turn, is connected with a twostoreyed mandapa, and across this mandapa to an impressive portal, also double-storeyed, called balāņa or nalimaṇḍapa as it covers the stairway.
-the
The wall that surrounds the rectangular courtyard covering an area of 60 x 62 m, exclusive of the projections of each side, appears to be the main feature of the exterior, for it forms the chief elevational aspect from the outside. Along this boundary wall, facing the inner rectangle, is a long row of eighty-six devakulikās, they serve as chapels for minor deities. From the outside, above the outwork of the elevated wall, one sees an array of small tur
The Adiévara temple, Ranakpur.
