The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word PAGODA
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
P
A
G
O
D
A
More clues leading to the result PAGODA
- Father embracing a deity in temple
- To the west, a space in which to create temple
- Temple, a divine one, toured by old man
- Father entertains a deity in shrine
- A party opening up a temple
- A party opening up a tower
- Temple locking up sea dog apparently
- Temple, a resident there is welcomed in by father
- Trouble opening up temple
- Fathers joining a temple
Buddy explains!

The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does PAGODA mean?
PAGODA noun- A religious building in South and Southeast Asia, especially a multi-storey tower erected as a Hindu or Buddhist temple.
- (usually in form pagod) An image or carving of a god in South and Southeast Asia; an idol.
- A unit of currency, a coin made of gold or half gold, issued by various dynasties in medieval southern India.
- An ornamental structure imitating the design of the religious building, erected in a park or garden.
- A pagoda sleeve.