Mandapa definition

Etymology

Sanskrit मण्डप, मण्टप (maṇḍapa, maṇṭapa) "pavilion, mandapa", a non-native word perhaps from the same source as मठ (maṭha) "hut, hermit's cottage".

Noun

(south Indian architecture) A pillared hall or porch fronting a Hindu temple. It may be attached or detached from the building.
A temporary platform or sacred tent used for a Hindu wedding or other religious ceremony.