A pillared hall leading to a stupa, it doubled as a shrine or a sanctuary in Buddhist architecture. The earliest examples can be found in the rock-cut caves of the Western Ghats, such as the Karla caves and the Bhaja caves. Typically, chaityas were long and narrow, with high roofs and timber ribs added to the stone ceiling. In certain other religions, such as Hinduism or Jainism, the term can also be used to refer to a temple or sacred monument.