mandapa

See also: maṇḍapa

English

mandapa

Alternative forms

• mandap, mandapam, mantapa

Etymology

Borrowed from Sanskrit मण्डप (maṇḍapa), मण्टप (maṇṭapa, “pavilion, mandapa”), a non-native word likely from the same source as मठ (maṭha, “hut, hermit's cottage”). Probably derived via Hindi मंडप (maṇḍap) or another New Indo-Aryan language.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈmʌndəpə/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

Noun

mandapa (plural mandapas)

1. (in south India, architecture) A pillared hall or porch fronting a Hindu temple. It may be attached or detached from the building.
2. (South Asia) A temporary platform or sacred tent used for a wedding or other religious ceremony.
   • 1997, Kiran Nagarkar, Cuckold, HarperCollins, published 2013, page 44:

     She led the way inside the house to the mandap.

   • 2023, Radhika Iyengar, Fire on the Ganges, Fourth Estate, page 284:

     When she takes her place next to Lakshaya at the wedding mandap, both of them smile at each other.