West face of a Chiva

During Buddha time (around 6th-5th BCE) it was customary to make earthen mound after burying remains of noble people and also materials used by Buddha. The shape of the mound used to be called Stupa and thus this design of dome continue to be part of a Chiva till date. We can see that dome in Chivas of all the time period. The dome is called Anda or Garva also.