| Abstract: |
In Southern Asia, the temple is not only god's abode and the venue for the ritual. It is also an outline of the real or assumed knowledge of the master builder as well as of the initiator of the construction. The sanctuary, through its orientation, integrates into the universe: as the structure grows taller, the original orientation must be maintained. This is possible when the axis of each new level is reestablished with the help of an alidade. This sighting instrument was presumably used mainly for all sorts of public works, such as the building of roads, canals and large reservoirs. No trace of this usage has survived. However, the usage of the alidade in architecture is often attested: examples will be quoted from java and Cambodia.
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