(also adhishthanam, Tamil: அதிஷ்டானம்) moulded basement usually resting on an upapitam (also upapita); Basement of a vimana, a mandapa or similar structure, forming a distinct architectural feature supporting walls and pilasters or pillars, and consisting of distinct moulded tiers.
(also adhishthana, Tamil: அதிஷ்டானம்) moulded basement usually resting on an upapitam (also upapita); Basement of a vimana, a mandapa or similar structure, forming a distinct architectural feature supporting walls and pilasters or pillars, and consisting of distinct moulded tiers.
front hall preceeding the main hall
(also akrapattiyal, Tamil: அக்ரபட்டியல்) a basement moulding is a listel
(also alankara) ornament and embellishment, without which images are seen as incomplete
Small, one-storeyed vimana. The parts are adhishthana, bhitti or pada prastara, griva, sikhara and stupi. It is usually without a hara.
Projected front end of an apsidal shrine resembling a kudu arch over pilasters, originally in kuta’s, koshtha’s and panjara’s.
(also amalasara or amalasila), Ribbed, lenticular or globoid part resembling the amalaka (Indian gooseberry fruit) crowning the top of the northern-style sikhara as its characteristic; also adopted as the top of the Kadamba-Chalukya forms, sometimes as an alternativ to the… Continue Reading →
(also amalaka or amalasila), Ribbed, lenticular or globoid part resembling the amalaka (Indian gooseberry fruit) crowning the top of the northern-style sikhara as its characteristic; also adopted as the top of the Kadamba-Chalukya forms, sometimes as an alternativ to the… Continue Reading →
(also amalaka or amalasara), Ribbed, lenticular or globoid part resembling the amalaka (Indian gooseberry fruit) crowning the top of the northern-style sikhara as its characteristic; also adopted as the top of the Kadamba-Chalukya forms, sometimes as an alternativ to the… Continue Reading →
String of miniature shrine (hara) on the edge of each vimana tala, distinct from the body of the upper tala or storey, with intervening space (opposite of arpita-hara).
inner wall of multiple-walled garbhagriha, or sanctum, or storey
vestibule (cf. sukhanasi)
cult image in sanctum of a temple; image of worship
‘half hall’, the smaller hall connecting the shrine and the larger pillared hall (mandapa); front porch (cf. tiru-idaik-kattu). Pillared hall immediately in front of the principal shrine or distal half of a mandapa with two seriate pillars, as in rock-cut… Continue Reading →
Hara or string of miniature shrines on the edge of each vimana tala that is applique to the body (harmya) of the upper tala or storey without any intervening space (opposite of anarpita-hara).
Layout of central shrine with eight surrounding sub shrines (including the Nandi shrine) in the cardinal and corner direction.
on of the sub-shrines round the main shrine, housing subordinate deities (cf. parivaradevatagriham)
on of the sub-shrines round the main shrine, housing subordinate deities (cf. parivaralaya)
octagonal
a base on which the pillar stands raised (ashvapadam, Tamil: அசவபாதம்)
Is an architectural term given to design which uses neither columns nor pilasters for decorative purposes.
Also called parivara-devatas, or subsidiary deities in shrines called parivaralaya’s or parivara.
Pedestal in the center of the garbhagriha on which the deity is placed and which is serves to receive the liquid matter with which the god is bathed and to throw it out of the sanctum through a channel called… Continue Reading →
oblong
Vimana, oblong on plan and covered by a wagon-top roof.
Shrine
Outermost wall of a multipled-walled sanctum or storey (opposite of antara-bhitti).
(also balipitha, Tamil: பலிபீடம்) altar for the placing of offerings to deities. It is generally built in the shape of a blossoming lotus, erected near the main entrance of a temple.
Central reliefed or projected part from each side of the body of the vimana or prasada as distinct from the corner projection (karna).
Oblong, wagon-topped miniature shrine of ayatasra type in the center of each side of the hara over the storeys of the vimana.
the wall (cf. kal)
Ornamental festoon on the wall, usually a makara-torana supported by two pilasters (cf. torana, makara-torana).
the storeys (cf. tala); Stage in the curvilinear superstructure (sikhara) or anda of a northern-style temple, often marked off at the corners by compressed amalaka’s – the karna-malakas or bhumia-malakas (bhumi, Tamil: பூமி).
goblin
dwarfish goblin
(also bodigai, Tamil: போதிகை) a corbel surmounting the capital of a pillar, like the pushpa-bodhika, ‘corbel of flower-pattern’
a corbel surmounting the capital of a pillar, like the pushpa-bodhika, ‘corbel of flower-pattern’ (cf. bodhika, Tamil: போதிகை)
Shrine or vimana opening on all four sides.
square section of a pillar (cubique)
Corbels with embossed carving or painting of creepers, flowers, etc.
Niche on walls of shrines and mandapa’s containing sculpture of deities (their occupants are called vimana-devata – parsva-devata in Kalinga); often crowned by torana or shrine motif, kuta sala, panjara, or kudu, or udgama.
hall supported by between 108 and 1008 pillars
temple flag mast (dvajastambham, Tamil: த்வஜஸ்தம்பம்)
the imposing temple-gateway (cf. gopura) Kinds: sobha-dvara: gopuram with 1 to 2 storeys (nilais; cf. nilai), sala-dvara: gopuram with 2 to 4 storeys (nilais), prasada-dvara: gopuram with 3 to 5 storeys (nilais), harmya-dvara: gopuram with 5 to 7 storeys (nilais),… Continue Reading →
jambs
guardian-deity at the door or gateway; doorkeeper (dvarapala, Tamil: த்வாரபாலர்)
architectural part of the prastaram (eradakam, Tamil: ஏராதகம்)
Literally neck: part between the topmost tala of the vimana and the sikhara; usually the clerestory raising up the roof (sikhara) with light and air-openings (nasika’s) on its side in the vimana types. The neck is below the amalaka in… Continue Reading →
(also garbhagriham, Tamil: கர்பகிருஹம்) Literally womb house; inner or most sacred chamber of the temple, the sanctum sanctorum (cf. mulasthana) or cella, where cult image is housed.
false door adorned with torana
(also gomukham, Tamil: கோமுகம்) gargoyle or channel from which the liquid matter with which the deity was bathed is drained from the garbhagriha.
(also gopura, Tamil: கோபுரம்) Main gateway; the imposing temple-gateway (cf. dvara); the storeyed structure over the entrance or entrances through the enclosing walls th the premises of a temple, palace or city.
(griva, Tamil: கிரீவா) Literally neck: part between the topmost tala of the vimana and the sikhara; usually the clerestory raising up the roof (sikhara) with light and air-openings (nasika’s) on its side in the vimana types. The neck is below… Continue Reading →
swan-frieze
String of miniature shrines over each terrace (tala) of the storeyed vimana consisting of kuta’s, koshtha’s or sala’s and panjara’s, interconnected by cloister-lenghts or balustrades simulating cloisters (harantara).; necklace
String of miniature shrines over each terrace (tala) of the storeyed vimana consisting of kuta’s, koshtha’s or sala’s and panjara’s, interconnected by cloister-lenghts or balustrades simulating cloisters (harantara).
main temple-gateway/gopuram with 5 to 7 storeys
the idal (Tamil: ஐதழ்) has the form of the calyx of a flower of lotus and is a part of the bulbous capital of the pillar (cf. stambha)
The lower part of the chariot (ter) is made of a special kind of wood of a tree of the family Bassia (illupai, Tamil: இலுப்பை).
a basement-moulding; lowest level of a temple’s base moulding
Successive inward offsetting or corbelling-in of the roofing slabs or brick courses over walls to reduce the space to be roofed over an ultimate small opening on top that can be covered by a slab overlapping like a banana bunch.
Variant primarily of the rekha-Nagara-style prasada, or temple, in which the superstructural tiers comprise kapata (cornice) and kantha (neck) and are capped by a circular griva or gala (neck), and an amalasara, often without the sukanasika.
the wall (cf. bhitti); part of the pilaster stambham is sometimes square in section, and at other times octagonal (kal, Tamil: கால்)
(also kalasam or kalasha, Tamil: கலசம்) pot-shaped component of the capital of a pillar (cf. lasuna); wide-mouthed vase; lowermost member of the pillar capital, so-called after its shape. Also the vase-shaped finial over the amalaka of northern temples.
(also kalasa or kalasha, Tamil: கலசம்) pot-shaped component of the capital of a pillar (cf. lasuna); wide-mouthed vase; lowermost member of the pillar capital, so-called after its shape. Also the vase-shaped finial over the amalaka of northern temples.
Mandapa or hall in which the ceremonial wedding of god and goddess in the form of utsava-murti’s or processional bronze icon is celebrated annually in South Indian temples. (kalyana-mandapa, Tamil: கலியாணமண்டபம்)
Pillar (cf. stambha or stambham)
a basement-moulding
golden dance hall (of Natesa at Chidambaram)
a basement-moulding, (kandam, Tamil: காந்தம்)
neck
(also kan dam; Tamil: க்ண்டம்) Tenon of a bulbous capital; Notice: not to be confused with kandam.
cornice
Pigeon; overhanging cornice, usually flexed, projecting beyond the principal beam to throw off water from the terrace beyond the beam and joist-end or recesses of the adhishthana like kumudam and padma. (cf. kapotam, Tamil: கபோதம்)
(also kabodam, Tamil: கபோதம்) originally a term applied to the kudu (cf. kudu), but later equated with the cornice by some writers (cf. kapota)
(also karnakudu, Tamil: கர்ணகூடு) Miniatur sama-chaturasra (square) shrine at the corner of each storey of the vimana over the prastara, with a single stupi. It is rarely vritta (circular) or ashtasra (octagonal) on plan.
Miniature ayatasra (oblong) shrine with barrel-vault roof placed at the corner of each tala of a structure, usual in gopura’s.
(also karna-kuta, Tamil: கர்ணகூடு) Miniatur sama-chaturasra (square) shrine at the corner of each storey of the vimana over the prastara, with a single stupi. It is rarely vritta (circular) or ashtasra (octagonal) on plan.
prismatic section of a pillar; Intervening octagonal or polygonal portion between the bottom ans top squares of a pillar.
Kerala term used for the nasika (cf. nasika and sukanasika).
foliage-decoration (especially over the edges of the sikhara or kodungai)
cornice, moulded projection over a tala (kodungai, Tamil: கொடுங்கை)
(also goshta) a cell or niche for the deity (cf. sala)
a niche decorated with a curved cage-motif (cf. kumbha-panjara)
literally ‘abode of the lord/king’; Koil or Kovil or Koyil (Tamil: கோயில்), (meaning: residence of God) is the Tamil term for a distinct style of Hindu temple with Dravidian architecture.
hall resting on between 4 and 28 pillars
short nasika; projected front end of a miniature apsidal (one or two-storeyed) shrine with arch over pilasters functioning as a small opening, usually found in the harantara.
(kudam, Tamil: குடம்) part of the capital of a pillar (cf. stambham)
‘Nest’; The arched-window motif (chaitya-window motif) on roof-line with a shovel- or lion-head top (horse-shoe-shaped decorative element on the facade of a monument) out of a flexed cornice (kapota), originally perhaps intended for entry of roosting birds (kapota) but in… Continue Reading →
pilaster shown as relief on wall surface
(kulam, Tamil: குளம்) a sacred tank or pond
(also kumbham, Tamil: கும்பம்) Member of the pillar capital coming above the kalasa, and tadi, and bulbous in form. Originally a flattened carinate vase with a short, narrow mouth.
(also kumbha-panjaram, Tamil: கும்பபஞ்சரம்) a vase of foliage crowned by a curved, cage-like pattern, a motif alternating with koshtha-panjara niches
(also kumbha, Tamil: கும்பம்) Member of the pillar capital coming above the kalasa, and tadi, and bulbous in form. Originally a flattened carinate vase with a short, narrow mouth.
(also kumuda, Tamil: குமுதம்) the rounded or angular base moulding of a temple, above the jagati
(also kutam) square ornamental pavilion on the storeys of the vimana (cf. sala, salai and nasi); Shrine of square plan (sama-chaturasra) with four-sided converging roof and single finial, or circular or octagonal with domical roof and single finial, or stupi.
(also kuta) square ornamental pavilion on the storeys of the vimana (cf. sala, salai and nasi); Shrine of square plan (sama-chaturasra) with four-sided converging roof and single finial, or circular or octagonal with domical roof and single finial, or stupi.
‘Crest figure’; chief decorative motif or figure on the frontal of any entrance or door-lintel, sometimes extending to the overdoor.
pot-shaped component of the capital of a pillar (cf. kalasa or kalasam); wide-mouthed vase; lowermost member of the pillar capital, so-called after its shape. Also the vase-shaped finial over the amalaka of northern temples.
(also linga, Tamil: லிங்கம்) non-pictorial symbol of the Hindu deity Shiva; aniconic pillar-like symbol of Shiva, typically in phallic form evoking Shiva’s progenitive powers; fertility symbol, especially connected with Shiva as Bijavin (Giver of Seed), often placed in a yoni-shaped… Continue Reading →
part of the bodigai or bodhika
interspace between walls
main temple-gateway/gopuram with 7 to 16 storeys (cf. maha-maryada)
large assembly hall; Pillared hall immediately in front of the ardha-mandapa, or antarala, or the proximal half of a mandapa with two seriate pillars, closed or open, in cave temples.
main temple-gateway/gopuram with 7 to 16 storeys (cf. maha-gopura)
Projected nose-like part from the side of the griva and sikhara showing the frontal aspects of apsidal vimana’s and having pillars with surmounting arched torana’s.
an ornamental motif developed from an alligator or a crocodile head with a floriated tail; mythical sea creature combining elements of fish, crocodile, lion and elephant, symbolising life giving power of the water
Entrance decoration with a festoon – straight or arched, spanning the tops of two columns, the festoon or torana being a decorative garland or scroll issuing from mouth of makara’s (crocodiles), placed over the capitals of the supporting stambha’s. Such… Continue Reading →
looped garland
Apex of pillars or pilaster shaft below capital with looped garland (mala) hanging from the padma-bandha.
(also mandapam, Tamil: மண்டபம்) open or closed pillared or astylar hall; place of assembly
human figures
First or frontal mandapa of a series at the entrance of a temple, often synonymous with maha-mandapa in earlier temples.
facade
inner or most sacred chamber of the temple, the sanctum sanctorum (cf. garbhagriha)
the central deity is located near the centre of temple; the mulavar is usually made of stone images in most South Indian temples
the petals of a lotus flower: part of the capital of a pillar (cf. stambham), (munai, Modern Tamil: முனை)
(also nagabandham, Tamil: நாகபந்தம்) a pillar-decoration resembling the hood of a snake; a section having a frieze of naga (cf. hamsa-bandhana)
breast band composed of a snake
also known as Nandikeshvara or Nandideva, is the bull vahana (mount) of the Hindu god Shiva. Almost all Shiva temples display stone-images of a seated Nandi, generally facing the main shrine. (nandi, Tamil: நந்தி) ‘joyful’ – calf-bull associated with Shiva… Continue Reading →
part of the bodigai or bodhika
interspace between sala and kuta in the tala of the vimana
‘Nose’; projected arched opening (window), (cf. alpanasika, kshudranasika, mahanasika and sukanasika). In Kerala temples it is called kilivasal or or parrot-beak entrances.
dance hall (cf. nritta-mandapa)
Mandapa with four pillars surrounding a central bay, twelve more on the periphery in alignment with the central pillars, enclosing eight more bays, surrounding the central one and making nine bays in all; characteritic of Chalukyan temples and their derivatives.
Miniature apsidal shrine; same as panjara.
storeys of a gopura; (plural: nilais, Old Tamil: நிலை, Modern Tamil: நிலை)
Devoid of a closed circuit or ambulatory round the cella, the wall of the cella being single and thick (as opposed to sandhara).
hall of dance (cf. natya-mandapa)
Basal pitha of pillar or pilaster
Pillar (cf. stambha or stambham)
Lotus; capital member (doucine) below the phalaka (abacus), shaped like a lotus with petals (also padmam, Tamil: பத்மம்).
(also padma-bandham, Tamil: பத்மபந்தம்) Broad fillet, ringing the top of the shaft of a pillar, marked by decorative bands between rows of lotus petals, separating the shaft from the capital; lotus-frieze
(also padma-bandha, Tamil: பத்மபந்தம்) Broad fillet, ringing the top of the shaft of a pillar, marked by decorative bands between rows of lotus petals, separating the shaft from the capital; lotus-frieze
Lotus; capital member (doucine) below the phalaka (abacus), shaped like a lotus with petals (also padma, Tamil: பத்மம்).
abacus or tailloir; (palagai, Tamil: பலகை) part of the capital of a pillar (cf. stambham)
Capital member, same as padma, but without scalloped petals.
(also panjara or panjaram, Tamil: பஞ்சரம்) ‘Nest’, a cage-like decorative motif for a niche or base, attique: a small pavilion (cf. panjara); Miniature apsidal shrine; same as nida.
(also panjaram, Tamil: பஞ்சரம்) ‘Nest’, a cage-like decorative motif for a niche or base, attique: a small pavilion (cf. panchara); Miniature apsidal shrine; same as nida.
subsidiary deities in shrines called parivaralaya’s or parivara.
Also called avarana-devatas, or subsidiary deities in shrines called parivaralaya’s or parivara.
on of the sub-shrines round the main shrine, housing subordinate deities (cf. ashta-parivaradevatagriham)
(also parivara) on of the sub-shrines round the main shrine, housing subordinate deities (cf. ashta-parivaralaya)
sculpture of a deity placed in a niche on the outer wall of the garbhagriha or on the upper tala of the vimana
Plain or decorated bands occupying the median face of the corbel, as if binding the rolls of taranga mouldings of the corbel.
The two prismatic parts of the pillar with facets (pattai, Tamil: பட்டை).
a basement-moulding
Projected top slab of the platform or adhishthana in line with the vertical norm or manasutra – a major moulding of considerable thickness.
Pavilion with ornaments, pillars and kudu
Abacus; wide plank on top of the terminal saduram or moulded capital of pillar supporting the corbel or potika.
Structure with stepped or tiered superstructure over the sanctum as in Kadamba-Chalukya temples. The term is used in Orissa (Kalinga) architecture for the mandapa in front of the main prasada, called jagmohan, or smaller individual shrines with such superstructure (as… Continue Reading →
(also pita, peedam or pitham); a horizontal slab or pedestal over which an image is seated
(also peedam, pita or pitha); a horizontal slab or pedestal over which an image is seated
golden dance hall (of Natesa at Chidambaram)
(also potikai), corbel or bracket surmounting the capital of a pillar
(also potika), corbel or bracket surmounting the capital of a pillar
on of the circuits round the sanctum; enclosure wall; Generally, there a five prakaras: antara-mandala, antara-hara, madhya-hara, bahya-hara and maryada. (The temple at Srirangam has seven prakaras)
Spout projected like a gargoyle to discharge water.
temple in general; Classifications according to shape: sama-chaturasra, vritta, chaturdirgha, hasti-prishtha, vrittayata, shatkona and ashtasra (respectively, square, circular, rectangular, apsidal, elliptical, hexagonal and octagonal). Northern-style temple, as distinct from the vimana form of the south. Flowers or food offered to… Continue Reading →
main temple-gateway/gopuram with 3 to 5 storeys
(also prastaram, Tamil: பிரஸ்தரம்) the roof cornice; Entablature, consisting of mouldings over walls and pillars, viz the uttira (beam), vajana, valabhi, kapota, alinga and antari (architrave, frieze and cornice).
(also prastara, Tamil: பிரஸ்தரம்) the roof cornice; Entablature, consisting of mouldings over walls and pillars, viz the uttira (beam), vajana, valabhi, kapota, alinga and antari (architrave, frieze and cornice).
lit. new mandapa
part of the bodigai or bodhika
silver dance hall (of Natesa at Madurai)
Equivalent of navaranga, corresponding th the maha-mandapa of southern vimana temples.
Chariot; monolithic vimana; temple chariot designed to transport processional images of deities during temple festival processions
curvilinear lines
Typical northern-style sanctuary form with curvilinear superstructure, or anda emphasized by the bhadra projections on the sides, and by rekha’s (curvilinear lines) crowned by a neck and amalaka with kalasa on top.
Mandapa with shrine of Nataraja in the southern temples, generally facing south.
hell resting on between 28 and 100 pillars
Square basal, intermediate or terminal section of a pillar separated by octagonal, polygonal or circular intermediary parts (saduram, Tamil: சதுரம்).
(also salai), rectangular ornamental panjara (panchara) with wagon-roof, on the storeys of the vimana; a hut-shaped, barrel-roofed pavilion (cf. kuta and nasi)
main temple-gateway/gopuram with 2 to 4 storeys
Vimana of ayatasra type (oblong on plan) with barrel-vault roof and a series of stupi on its ridge.
Sikhara peculiar to sala-shrine, barrel-vault, wagon-top or inverted, keel-shaped.
(Old Tamil: சாலை, Modern Tamil: சாலை, also sala), rectangular ornamental panjara (panchara) with wagon-roof, on the storeys of the vimana; a hut-shaped, barrel-roofed pavilion (cf. kuta and nasi)
square
Structure with a closed or covered circuit passage or ambulatory round the cella or the sanctum as in a double-walled structure (opposit of nirandhara).
(also sikaram, Tamil: சிகரம்) top-covering of the vimana, above the griva; the crown; of various shapes such as square, bulbous, octagonal and wagon-roof; Roof of the vimana over the griva, domical or four-sided with a single finial, vaulted with many… Continue Reading →
Lion faced
a circular decorative ornament provided behind the head designed like a wheel or lotus (lotus, wheel or simha-mukha forms), for attachment of flower garlands
Mandapa in which the abhisheka (or mandapa) or ceremonial bathing of processional idols of bronze is performed during festivals.; hall for the ceremonial bath of deities
main temple-gateway/gopuram with 1 to 2 storeys
(also stambham, Tamil: ஸ்தம்பம்) Pillar (cf. kambam, pada);
Entrance decoration or free-standing decorated entrance without doors and with a festoon spanning the tops of two columns, the festoon primarily being a garland of leaves and flowers, later on taking the form one or more curved and decorated cross-bars,… Continue Reading →
(also stambha, Tamil: ஸ்தம்பம்) Pillar (cf. kambam, pada);
(also stupika, Tamil: ஸ்தூபி) Finial, morphologically the ushnisha, taking in later times the form of a purna ghata or purna kumbha, forming the topmost or ultimate member of the vimana, gopura or any other structure.; pot-shaped crowning element over the… Continue Reading →
(also stupi, Tamil: ஸ்தூபி) Finial, morphologically the ushnisha, taking in later times the form of a purna ghata or purna kumbha, forming the topmost or ultimate member of the vimana, gopura or any other structure.; pot-shaped crowning element over the… Continue Reading →
(also sukanasika or sukhanasi), Integral forward projection of the tiers of the superstructure below the griva and amalaka level in northern prasada’s coming over the antarala and forming its roof; has a nasika front, enclosing bas-relief sculptures inside the arch…. Continue Reading →
(also sukanasa or sukhanasi), Integral forward projection of the tiers of the superstructure below the griva and amalaka level in northern prasada’s coming over the antarala and forming its roof; has a nasika front, enclosing bas-relief sculptures inside the arch…. Continue Reading →
(also sukanasika or sukanasa), vestibule (cf. antarala)
the balustrade to the upper part of the mandapa is sculptural (surul-yali, Tamil: சுருள்-யாளி)
The course which surrounding the sanctuary is called suttupprakaram (Tamil: சுத்துப்பாரகாரம்).
part of the capital of a pillar (cf. stambham); Saucer-shaped capital member above the kalasa and below the kumbha (tadi, Tamil: தாடி).
the storeys (cf. bhumi) of the vimana or gopura; a unit of measurement for images (tala, Tamil: தாலா)
shrine
Wave; wavy roll-ornament of the corbel resembling the ‘reed’ moulding or ‘reeding’ of European classical architecture.
Corbel-bracket with roll- or taranga-moulding.
One or more chariots (Tamil: தேர்) that stand at the entrance of the temple to transport the gods to the church services on festival days.
ardha-mandapa or vestibule (cf. ardha-mandapa)
covered mandapa round the sanctum
peristyle: enclosure-wall with a mandapa
a mostly freestanding gate; (plural: toranas) Free-standing ornamental foliar and floral festoon forming entrance supported by two upright columns and often interlaced vertically; (jala-torana): copies in wood and stone with greater elaboration and carving, or taking the form of makara-torana,… Continue Reading →
Pillar or pilaster supporting torana; three vimana’s connected by a common adhishthana in a line or placed round a common mandapa, as in Chalukyan types.
Pillar or pilaster supporting torana; three vimana’s connected by a common adhishthana in a line or placed round a common mandapa, as in Chalukyan types.
The pillar is formed of three cubical parts called saduram and of two prismatic parts with facets called pattai (tun, Tamil: தூண்).
Fenestrated pattern of coalescent kudu-like arches and half-arches, typical of northern-style temples and found in the facade arches of Buddhist cave-temples; used in the northern temples as crest over devakoshtha’s also in place of the miniature shrines tops of such… Continue Reading →
(also upanam, Tamil: உபானம்) Lowermost part or footing of the basement or adhishthana, projecting beyond the vertical norm and surmounted by the jagati. It forms the lowermost visible part of the vimana, the uppermost limit of the same being the… Continue Reading →
(also upana, Tamil: உபானம்) Lowermost part or footing of the basement or adhishthana, projecting beyond the vertical norm and surmounted by the jagati. It forms the lowermost visible part of the vimana, the uppermost limit of the same being the… Continue Reading →
(also upapitam, Tamil: உபபீடம்) the basement below the adhishthanam (also adhishthana); Additional moulded platform or sub-base below the basement or adhishthana with mouldings repeating thos of the adhishthana, or often reduced in number or simpler.
(also upapita, Tamil: உபபீடம்) the basement below the adhishthanam (also adhishthana); Additional moulded platform or sub-base below the basement or adhishthana with mouldings repeating thos of the adhishthana, or often reduced in number or simpler.
lintel, see uttiram
Mandapa in which the processional deities of bronze are kept during celebrations.
(also uttiram, Tamil: உத்திரம்) cross-beam
(also uttira, Tamil: உத்திரம்) cross-beam
hall of disputation
(also vayil) the doors of the monumental entrances of the gopuram is ordinarily twice as hight as it wide. The height is often considerable. The two shutters (flaps of a door) are made of wood and have partitions. (vasal, Tamil:… Continue Reading →
window
(also vasal) the doors of the monumental entrances of the gopuram is ordinarily twice as hight as it wide. The height is often considerable. The two shutters (flaps of a door) are made of wood and have partitions. (vayil, Tamil:… Continue Reading →
railing
Buddhist monastery; in India especially associated with rock-cut halls
The sanctum together with its superstructure (from the upapitam to the stupi); (vimana, Tamil: விமானம்); ‘chariot of the gods’ – main tower of temple, considered to be a divine aerial palace inhabited by the gods; also applied to temple as… Continue Reading →
sculpture of a deity placed in a niche on the outer wall of the garbhagriha or on the upper tala of the vimana
circular
Loenine figure
Decorative frieze with vyala’s usually as part of the adhishthana and on top of the entablature of each tala, marking the end of the cross-joists in original timberwork.
Decorative frieze with vyala’s usually as part of the adhishthana and on top of the entablature of each tala, marking the end of the cross-joists in original timberwork.
Creatures with elephant body and lion face (cf. yali)
(yalam, Tamil: யாளம்) architectural part of the prastaram and is decorated with the yali (cf. yahzi)
leograph (cf. yahzi)
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