The tower or “kalan” is dedicated to the worship of kings and their protective gods. The small, square room is used by officiants, and not the worshippers, who circle the divinity-snanadroni complex, except in the case of Buddhist temples like Dong Duong because the altar there is against the west wall.

Coming out of the kalan itself, one enters a vestibule where, to the left, is the bull Nandin, always lying with his head toward the divinity-snanadroni or the linga-yoni set. Once across this vestibule, one reaches the entrance door, flanked to the right and left by pilasters that are often covered with inscriptions. Facing the kalan is a gopura, a portico tower that is oriented east-west.

The mandapa (“pavilion” in Sanskrit), a long building made of bricks with several windows and two doors oriented east-west, is the place of meditation and prayer preceding the ritual ceremony in the kalan.

Three types of mandapa can be found as shown in the diagram below: