Ṣaḍādhārapratiṣṭhā
By Swami Harshananda
Ṣaḍādhārapratiṣṭhā literally means ‘establishing the image in a temple over six bases’.
The most important part in the building of a temple is the construction of the garbhagṛha[1] Raising the floor of this part up to the image consists of several steps. Since this process comprises the establishment of six major components, it is called ‘ṣaḍ-ādhāra-pratiṣṭhā’.[2]
Next comes śilānyāsa or foundation stone laying ceremony. It is the laying of the first stone[3] or brick signifying the start of construction. It is laid in the north-western corner of the building plan, drawn on the ground after excavating the foundation to the required depth. After this, the construction of the foundation is taken up.
The foundation is built and the ground filled up to the plinth level except in the middle portion of the garbhagṛha which is filled up to three-fourths only. In the center of this place, the ādhāraśilā[4] is placed over which are deposited the following articles in that order:
- A pot called nidhikumbha
- A tortoise and a lotus
- All made of stone
- A tortoise and a lotus made of silver
- Tortoise and a lotus made of gold
From there, a funnel shaped tube called yoganālā, made of copper leads up to the plinth. The whole thing is covered by another stone slab called brahmaśilā. Later on, the image of the deity is established over this. This is called ṣaḍādhārapratiṣthā.
References[edit]
- ↑ Garbhagṛha means the sanctum.
- ↑ Ṣaḍ-ādhāra-pratiṣṭhā means ṣaḍ which means six; ādhāra which means base; pratiṣṭhā which means establishing.
- ↑ It is square in shape.
- ↑ Ādhāraśilā means a base stone.
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore