Measurements of Temples

Units used
 The angula (1.875 cms) and the hasta (cubit, 45 cms) are the units that are
normally used for deriving the dimensions, proportions, the height and other
details of a sculpture. The Danda (four cubits) used for measuring less-delicate
or lengthier structure is equivalent to 180 cms.
 One Hastha = one cubit= 45 cms;
 Four Hasthas = one Danda= 96 angulas = 180 cms.
 One Hastha =24 angulas = 45 cms.
 Thus one angula = 1.875 cms.
 The old Sanskrit texts too mention a set of measurements. According to them
Anu or paramanu, the particle, was the smallest measure.
 8 anus = one ratha renu (grain of dust);
 8 ratha renu = one valagrasa (hair end);
 8 valagrasa =One grain of yava;
 4 yavas = one angula;
 12 angulas = one vitasta or Tala (span)
 2 Vitasta or Tala = Hastha (cubit) = 24 angulas
 26 angulas= Dhanurbhagha (handle of a bow).
 4 hatas = One Danda;
8 Dandas = One Rajju (rope)
1000 Rajju = One Yojana
The Seven kinds of pillars
 When the base is taken as a reference point for the length of a pillar, than it
may be 1¼, 1½, 1¾ or 2 times the height of the base. In total there are 12
varieties of the height of a pillar. For the pilaster (in other words a wall-pillar)
it is 3, 4, 5 or 6 angulas. The diameter of a pillar is 2, 3 or 4 times the width
of the pilaster.
 The pillar has a constructive character. It must be able to withstand the forces
in the building. When the amount of floors in a building is taken as a
reference points for determining the height of the pillars, then the ground
floor pillars of a twelve storey building are 8½ cubits in height. By subtracting
one span for each storey a height of 3 cubits is obtained for the pillars of the
top storey. The diameter of the ground floor pillars of a twelve storey
building is 28 digits. By subtracting two digits for each storey 6 digits are
obtained for the diameter of the pillars of the top-storey.
 The proportions of the Adhisthána or base must be related to those of the
building. In response to that, the rest of the pillar relates to the base of the
pillar. (The Mánasára uses the base to define the pillars. The Mayamatam uses
the amount of floors in a building to define the height of the pillars.)
Types of Construction
 Hindu temple construction is strictly based on
a complex system of measurements and
proportions. These proportions control every
aspect of a temple’s design, from its width
and height to the size of its doorways and
moldings.  There are a number of prescribed
methods. We will look at two of them.
Method A
 In this method, the square of 4 (16) and the square of 8(64)
are considered auspicious. All the main horizontal as well as
vertical proportions are with reference to either of these
numbers (mulasutra).The area of the Vimana (the prasada or
the tower above the sanctum) is divided into 16 squares
(maha-pitha) or 64 squares (manduka), as the case may be; in
which case the width would be 4 or 8 units.
 If the width of the Vimana is 4, then the width of the sanctum
would be 2 units; the height of the Vimana would also be 4;
and the base of the Vimana would be a cube. The Sikhara on
top this cube would be twice its height (that is, 4×2).The cube
and the Sikhara would together rise to a height of 12 units.
This proportion builds a relationship between the vertical and
horizontal extents of the other parts of the temple.
Method B
 In this method, the size of the sanctum and the
Dwajasthamba is determined by the height of the image of
main deity in the sanctum. The size of a temple is always a
fixed multiple of the height of image of main deity.
 The normal height of a man is taken as six feet; and the
sanctum would be in the shape of a square of its inner
length and width, of six feet. The width of the sanctum
walls would be two feet. The outer measurement of the
sanctum would be 10 feet on each side.
 If the directions and measurements are correctly followed
the sun rays should fall into the courtyard just outside the
temple for six hours (from 9.00am to 3.00pm, if the sun
rise is at 6.00am).