The Hindu mathematician sees within the design of a mandir a complex pattern of mathematics and geometrics that link the mandir to the universe and its component stars, planets, and galaxies. Underneath the intricate artistic sculpture lies the foundation of regular shapes. Hence, the birth of geometry and numeracy arose from the need to build mandirs of perfect proportions.

Traditionally, all the masonry of such a mandir is load bearing in itself, with no reinforcement from ferrous metals, such as steel, in its foundation or structure. This extends the life of the mandir to over a thousand years, due to the absence of erosion through temperature variations or corrosion of steel. The ferrous metals concentrate earth's magnetic field, which impedes meditation.
- http://houston.baps.org/mandirinfo_mandirconcepts.html