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).
© 2025 The Chola Dynasty — Powered by WordPress
Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑