Mathematical and Scriptural Aspect of Yagya Mandap Construction

Abstract

Yagya Mandap is the place where the activities of Yagya take place. Yagya- Mandap is consist of 8 parts which are Mandap base, pillars, Valliya, Ganduk, Vedi, Toran, Dhvaja and Pataka. All these parts play a significant role in Yagya as they represent a particular deity depending upon the type of yagya. There are several variations in the dimensions of all these parts which are believed to be dependent on the Purpose and type of yagya and also the availability of the sources for the construction of yagya Mandap. The Mandap is classified on the basis of category, purpose, size and number of instruments used for its constructions. Yagya Mandap plays a vital role in the procedure of Yagya and its final outcome. The purpose of the present paper is to discuss the mathematical aspect of the construction of the Yagya Mandap i.e. deciding the size of Yagya Mandap, ii) preparing Mandap base, iii) placing Pillars, and iv) preparing the roof. The study summarized scriptural dimensions, types and placements of Mandap Base, pillars, roof for different sizes of Yagya Mandap. Mandap can be classified on the basis of area i.e. adham (small), madhyam (medium) and uttam (large), for upto 20 hast 16 pillars and 32 Valliya ( column creating roof structure) used for creating Mandap, where as big Yagya Mandap can be from 20 hast to 100 hast and required more number of pillars and Valliya depending upon the size of the particular yagya Mandap. Mandap must be at the height of 12 angul or 1 hast from the ground level where base is of square shape and the area varies with a number of kund. Stambh are of two sizes the inner-pillar of 8 hast and outer pillar of 5 hast. Ganduk is the top most portion of roof of Mandap and is situated at the top of the Mandap and consists of 4 valliaya. Summarily, the depth of attention for Yagya kund construction indeed stresses out the need of Yagya Mandap to be very beautiful and systematic with reasonable efforts.