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The temple is a
holy site (tirtha), where they practitioners can perform
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circumambulation (pradaksina).
They also perform the pious act of
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gazing at the
deity (darsan) and offering prayers, flowers and food
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(puja).
The temple is never a meeting place for a congregation, but it
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came to be a
focal point of the community.
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The heart of the
temple is the dark hall called garbha grha (womb
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hall), where the
most important icon is placed. It is the most important
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area.
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Pillared halls (mandapa)
and porticos were added to the garbha grha,
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which was
surmounted with a tower (sikhara)--center of the universe
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(axis mundi).
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