Question

What is a Garbhagriha?

Answer 1

Hint: Garbhagriha is an architectural structure found not only in Hindu temples but also in Jain and Buddhist religious places.

Complete step by step answer: The innermost sanctum of the Hindu temples where the idol or murti of the main deity is placed is called the Garbhagriha. It is also called the womb chamber of the temple.Only the priests are allowed to enter this chamber.
The Garbhagriha is a single chamber with the room facing towards the east in order to get the rising sun. There are no windows and hardly any access to any lights. The room is a square one and the deity is normally placed at the centre for the visitors to see. The Garbhagriha is the most important and sacred space where the deity is worshipped. All the offerings to the deity are made inside here.
The Vastushastra refers to the ancient science of architecture. It deals with the building of forts, towns and other construction too. It also connects the philosophy of architecture with the cosmic values. For female deities the Garbhagriha is a rectangular one. In Tamil the garbhagriha is called karuvarai.

Note: Majority of temples have a superstructure- the shikhara in the north and the vimana in the south The garbhagriha is directly underneath it and both of these represent the main axis of the temple. In Jain garbhagriha only those Jains who are well bathed and purified are allowed to enter the sanctum. If the temple is dedicated to Shiva, the figure of Nandi, the bull who is Shiva’s mount, is placed at the entry of the garbhagriha.