A ‘ (also written garbha griha) is the innermost chamber of a Hindu temple. Although the term is often associated with Hindu temples, it is also found in Jain and Buddhist temples.

The garbha gṛha usually contains the murti (idol or icon), the primary focus of prayer. In temples with a spire or vimana, this chamber is placed directly underneath it, and the two them form a main vertical axis of the temple. These together may be understood to represent the axis of the world through Mount Meru. The garbha gṛha is usually also on the main horizontal axis of the temple which generally is an east-west axis. In those temples where there is also a cross-axis, the garbha gṛha is generally at their intersection.

Generally the garbha gṛha is a windowless and sparsely lit chamber, intentionally created thus to focus the devotee’s mind on the tangible form of the divine within it. Entrance to the garbha grha may be restricted to priests who perform the services there.

The term garbha gṛha literally means womb-house (usually translated as womb-chamber), after the Sanskrit words garbha for womb, and ‘ for house.

References

George Michell; Monuments of India (Penguin Guides, Vol. 1, 1989)