A Hindu temple or place of worship, typically featuring elaborate architecture with towers, carved pillars, and sanctuaries housing deity statues.
From Hindi मंदिर (mandir) and Sanskrit मन्दिर (mandira), meaning 'dwelling place' or 'house,' from the root मन्द् (mand) 'to dwell.' The word entered English in the 19th century through British colonial administrators and scholars documenting Indian religious architecture and practices.
The word mandir simply means 'dwelling place' in Sanskrit, reflecting the Hindu belief that temples are literally the earthly homes of the gods! This is why Hindu temples often include bedrooms, kitchens, and daily routines of waking, feeding, and putting the deities to sleep.
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