Mayamata

Mayamata is a classical Sanskrit treatise on architecture and urban planning, a central work in the Indian Shilpa Shastra tradition. Traditionally attributed to a sage named Maya, the exact date and authorship of Mayamata are debated among scholars. Manuscripts of the text circulated in various regions of the Indian subcontinent, often in multiple recensions and with commentaries that reflect local architectural practices.

The work covers the design and construction of temples, houses, and public buildings, as well as aspects of town planning and environmental considerations. It emphasizes vastu, or spatial orientation, and the concept of vastu purusha, prescribing the siting of buildings in relation to cardinal directions, as well as proportions and geometric motifs. Mayamata discusses measurement systems, suitable materials and tools, construction processes, and guidelines for ornamentation, sculpture, and iconography. It integrates practical architectural rules with symbolic and ritual dimensions of space, reflecting the belief that buildings should harmonize with cosmic and ritual order.

Structure and style vary among manuscripts, with the text usually presented in sutra-like verses and supplemented by explanations in commentaries. Mayamata is often studied together with other Shilpa Shastra works, such as the Manasara and Aparajita, and has influenced later Indian architectural theory and temple design.

Significance lies in its articulation of traditional architecture, town planning, and iconography, offering insight into historical building practices and the aesthetic and symbolic ideals that shaped South Asian architectural heritage. It remains a reference point in studies of ancient and medieval Indian architecture.