mandapa

thumb|right|Open mandapa with pillars and courtyard. A mandapa or mantapa () is a pillared hall or pavilion for public rituals in Indian architecture and Nepalese Pagoda Design, especially featured in Hindu temple architecture and Jain temple architecture.

Mandapas are described as "open" or "closed" depending on whether they have walls or inner ceiling of pagoda. In temples, one or more mandapas very often lie between the sanctuary and the temple entrance, on the same axis. In a large temple other mandapas may be placed to the sides, or detached within the temple compound.