The Shastras also rigorously govern construction methods. The basic structure of most large modern buildings is a steel or reinforced concrete frame: if stone is present at all, it is merely a surface cladding. In Hindu temples, by contrast, the structure is still formed of massive load-bearing stones. While steel is sometimes introduced in foundations and structural cores to meet modern seismic standards, the governing structural logic remains resolutely premodern. Stability is achieved through the compressive strength of stone and through complex interlocking jointing systems, including mortise-and-tenon-like connections.
This approach prioritizes longevity over speed. Steel frames are strong, but they often succumb to corrosion over time. This is one reason why many office buildings have a design working life of 50 years, after which they are sometimes replaced. Load-bearing masonry is slow to build, but it is extraordinarily durable. Temples built today could stand for thousands of years, vanishing only when their stones are worn away by the wind and the rain.