Vastu shastra
（重定向自Vastu）
![Angkor Wat, a World Heritage Site and one of the world's largest Hindu temples.[1] This Cambodian temple deploys the same circles and squares grid architecture as described in ancient Indian Vastu Sastras.[2]](/Images/godic/202502/19/Angkor_Wat3933.jpg")
![](/Images/godic/202502/19/Angkor_Wat_Aerial_View_Siem_Reap_Cambodia_20113933.jpg")
![Ancient India produced many Sanskrit manuals of architecture, called Vastu Sastra. Many of these are about Hindu temple layout (above), design and construction, along with chapters on design principles for houses, villages, towns. The architect and artists (Silpins) were given wide latitude to experiment and express their creativity.[17]](/Images/godic/202502/19/Plan_of_Kandariya_Mahadeva_temple3933.jpg")
![The 8x8 (64) grid Manduka Vastu Purusha Mandala layout for Hindu Temples. It is one of 32 Vastu Purusha Mandala grid patterns described in Vastu sastras. In this grid structure of symmetry, each concentric layer has significance.[7]](/Images/godic/202502/19/64_grid_Manduka_design_Hindu_Temple_Floor_Plan_Vastu_Purusa_Mandala_Ancient_Architecture.svg3934.png")
Vastu shastra (vāstu śāstra) is a traditional Hindu system of architecture, which literally translates to "science of architecture." These are texts found on the Indian subcontinent that describe principles of design, layout, measurements, ground preparation, space arrangement and spatial geometry. Vastu Shastras incorporate traditional Hindu and in some cases Buddhist beliefs. The designs are intended to integrate architecture with nature, the relative functions of various parts of the structure, and ancient beliefs utilizing geometric patterns (yantra), symmetry and directional alignments.