The "mantapa" is the hall where groups of people gather during prayers. The entrance to the "mantapa" normally has a highly ornate overhead lintel called a "makaratorana" ("makara" is an imaginary beast and "torana" is an overhead decoration). The open "mantapa" which serves the purpose of an outer hall (outer "mantapa") is a regular feature in larger Hoysala temples leading to an inner small closed "mantapa" and the shrines. The open "mantapas" which are often spacious have seating areas ("asana") made of stone with the "mantapa's" parapet wall acting as a back rest. The seats may follow the same staggered square shape of the parapet wall. The ceiling here is supported by numerous pillars that create many bays. The shape of the open "mantapa" is best described as staggered-square and is the style used in most Hoysala temples. Even the smallest open "mantapa" has 13 bays. The walls have parapets that have half pillars supporting the outer ends of the roof which allow plenty of light making all the sculptural details visible. The "mantapa" ceiling is generally ornate with sculptures, both mythological and floral. The ceiling consists of deep and domical surfaces and contains sculptural depictions of banana bud motifs and other such decorations.