slight flexion (in the standing pose of a figure)
adornment
hand suggestive of protection (cf. abhaya-mudra)
a gesture granting freedom from fear – finger pointing (cf. abhaya)
hand-pose assuring protection (cf. abhaya); gesture of fearlessness, reassurance and protection offered by deity to devotee, with right hand displayed palm outwards and fingers raised
gesticulate
on a secret rendezvous
ceremonial bath; ‘ritual bathing’ – ceremonial lustration of a sacred image with water, milk, honey and so on, also performed to confer or confirm kingship and marriage
immoveable
‘observing the rules of his order’ – spiritual guide or teacher who instructs students, especially in the Vedas
lowest
one of the five sthānas or positions
(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.
slave/servant of the lord
to dance
treatises on architecture
sacred-textual
a Vedic sage
fire; god of (the sacrificial) fire
front hall preceeding the main hall
(also akrapattiyal, Tamil: அக்ரபட்டியல்) a basement moulding is a listel
attitude of hand suggesting beckoning to confer a boon (cf. ahuyavarada-mudra)
hand-pose beckoning the devotee to confer boons on him (cf. ahuyavarada)
love genre in Tamil poetics
rosary
(also alankara) ornament and embellishment, without which images are seen as incomplete
science of poetics
the pose of a warrior, with his right leg bent forward and left drawn back (cf. pratyalidha)
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.
saintly devotee of Vishnu; ‘immersed [in god]’ – South Indian Vaishnava poet saints, active between six and tenth centuries; their images are worshipped in temples and processions
(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 →
ambrosia
dance pose; ‘dance of bliss’ – associated with South Indian representations of Shiva Nataraja, especially processional bronze images
variety of armlet
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).
a gana with graceful flexion
Demon of darkness who was blind but believed he had sight; embodiment of spiritual blindness, sometimes identified as wayward son of Shiva, slain by Shiva with his trident (trisulam).
an ornament tied round the upper arm by a string
bodily gryations in a dance pose
unit of measurement
hands clasped in adoration
a pose of anjali with the palm of the hands joined together near the chest; ‘two handfuls’ – pose with hands clasped together in respectful greeting and adoration, characteristic of subordinate deities, attendant gods and devotees
elephant god
inner wall of multiple-walled garbhagriha, or sanctum, or storey
vestibule (cf. sukhanasi)
lower garment
grace and mercy
benevolent form
an ugly demon personifying ignorance and the bonds (malams) that fetter the soul from reaching God – usually seen under the foot of Nataraja and Dakshinamurti
seventh-century Shaivite poet-saint, one of the muvar (‘Revered Three’)
celestrial nymph; semi-divine female beings inhabiting Hindu god Indra’s paradise as dancers and musicians, partnered with gandhara’s – celestial musicians
festival of the sixty-three saints (cf. nayanmar)
cult image in sanctum of a temple; image of worship
hands in crescent moon-like form to hold fire
‘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 →
seated with both legs on the seat, one raised up and the other bent
seated with both legs on the seat, one raised up and the other bent
hand around one bent leg in meditative pose
meditative mode of seat with ardha-yogapatta
one of the five sthānas or positions
shorts (also ardhoruka)
shorts (also ardhoraka)
Tamil classification of women: a lovely woman twenty to twenty-four years old
central heroic character in the Mahabharata epic
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).
accumulated wealth
single hand in dance gesticulation
single hand in dance gesticulation
seated pose; alternatively, a kind of seat
Saraca asoca, commonly known as the ashoka tree (Sanskrit: अशोक, sorrow-less)
stages of life
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
Measurement of images by eight tālas
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.
demon
multi-flexed pose
soul
invocation of a deity to inhabit an icon, part of the opening ritual of every puja; ritual invitation to a deity to temporarily take up residence in an image of worship
a Buddhist bodhisattva
Also called parivara-devatas, or subsidiary deities in shrines called parivaralaya’s or parivara.
‘descent’ – physical form taken by a god when he intercedes periodically to save the world from peril, usually referring to Vishnu’s many incarnations
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 →
platform projections
oblong
Vimana, oblong on plan and covered by a wagon-top roof.
Shrine
worship of weapons as embodiments of an aspect of the god with whom they are associated
weapons personified
Shoulder decoration of bahula flowers – an ornamental motf consisting of bahula or similar flowers
Outermost wall of a multipled-walled sanctum or storey (opposite of antara-bhitti).
an ornament (a string of beads) encircling the arm at the elbow
(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.
halo (cf. mandala)
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.
Square or rectangular supplemental pedestal to which an image and its padmapitham are attached and which they rest
Square or rectangular supplemental pedestal to which an image and its padmapitham are attached and which they rest
devotee; one who practices bhakti or devotion
deep, intense, uncompromising devotion to a personal godhead, aspiring to mystical union with the divine (cf. bhakta)
emotion
the wall (cf. kal)
Ornamental festoon on the wall, usually a makara-torana supported by two pilasters (cf. torana, makara-torana).
one of the five sthānas or positions
mistress, concubine
ringlets of hair
ancient sage; devotee of Shiva
earth; the goddess Earth
‘scared by snake’, a dance-pose suggesting movement away from a snake out of fear
ornament on waist in the form of a coiled snake
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).
earth-touching attitude as when Buddha called earth as witness
goblin
dwarfish goblin
title
(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)
the knot of the strings of the yajnopavita usually over the left chest
one of the many images of Nandi placed in the Shiva temples; Brahma-Nandi of stone will be by side of the mulavar in the sanctum
plumbline
one of four castes in Hindu society, highest caste in India, generally synonymous with priestly class, entitled to perform Hindu rites and sacrifices; authors of the Brahmanas, designed to guide Brahmans in hymns and performance of various rituals
early script from which all Indian scripts, northern and southern, are derived
major annual festival in a Shiva temple that extends over a period of ten days
(also bhringipada) an ornament (with a string and bell attached) worn on the right leg (high up)
Life of Buddha
Measurement of images by four tālas
Wheel of Vishnu; discus; attribute of Vishnu
Shaivite poet-saint, originally a young cowherd whose faith was rewarded by granting of grace and appointment as the earthly head of Shiva’s gana’s. Identifiable by an ax held in the crook of his arm.
Moon
Representation of the crescent moon
decorated cross-belt over the breast (cf. suvarnavaikakshaka); jewelled ornament worn as neckpiece, falling between the breasts and secured behind the waist; chain ornament that encircles the female torso
Shrine or vimana opening on all four sides.
a dance-pose, with the left foot slightly raised but still touching the ground; lit. clever
square section of a pillar (cubique)
the four arrays of Vishnu forms: Vāsudeva, Saṅkarshaṇa, Pradyumna and Aniruddha
fly-whisk
hand connoting knowledge
gold-roofed hall housing cult image of Shiva Nataraja at Nataraja temple, Chidambaram
Corbels with embossed carving or painting of creepers, flowers, etc.
mid-April to mid-May in the Tamil calendar
a golden ornament worn on the head dress in the middle and at the sides
a small round ornament for the head dress worn by children
French word meaning “lost-wax process”; ‘lost wax’ metal-casting technique whereby wax model is enclosed in clay mould, melted out through vents and replaced by molten metal (usually bronze)
world mountain of the south; world axis; Mount Meru (Sanskrit: मेरु), also known as Sumeru or Mahameru; it is the Gunung Semeru volcano in Indonesia
small, double-ended, hourglass-shaped drum held by Shiva, its sound denoting the primordial creation and destruction of the universe; hand-drum
gift or charitable donation, especially in religious context
stick
hand held straight like a stick (cf. kari-hasta)
vision or visualisation
‘seeing [god]’ – auspicious viewing of deity’s cult image, conferring blessings on the devotee; ritual ‘seeing’ of the enshrined temple deity that involves a dynamic act of awareness
Measurement of images by ten tālas
oil lamp
gift to the gods; gifted temple lands
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.
a variety of coiffure
a donor
established belief and practice, law or doctrine
hand suggesting the first turning of the wheel of law by Buddha at Sārnāth
a thorn apple with strong narcotic properties; usually the flower represented
a flower with strong narcotic properties
cloth over the waist; male skirt (also lungi or veshti)
meditation or hands in meditation
contemplative hymn to mentally picture the iconography of the deity
guardian of one of the eight directions
auspicious lamp-bearer damsel
hall supported by between 108 and 1008 pillars
peoples of South India
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)
duoflex pose
Measurement of images by two tālas
Measurement of images by one tālas
one-stringed big necklace of pearls
architectural part of the prastaram (eradakam, Tamil: ஏராதகம்)
mace, stout stick, club of Vishnu; attribute of Vishnu
an ornament of very small gold or silver bells fastened by strings and worn on the waist or ankles
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 →
a grotesque dwarf often shown as an attendant of Shiva; mischievous dwarf-like figures derived from nature spirits (yaksha and yakshi) and adopted into Hinduism as Shiva’s faithful attendant, led by Ganesha
celestial musician
the river Ganga (Ganges) personified as a goddess
courtesan
(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.
solid (casting)
false door adorned with torana
a bell tied around the neck of a cow or bull
(also gomukham, Tamil: கோமுகம்) gargoyle or channel from which the liquid matter with which the deity was bathed is drained from the garbhagriha.
cowherd men (cf. gopis)
cowherd woman (cf. gopas)
(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.
posture of the hand hanging down in the manner of the tail of a cow
jewelled necklet
village goddess
script used in South India for Sanskrit letters that are not part of the Tamil alphabet
(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 →
qualities, virtues
a type of ruby
The swan; the divine bird
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
Life of Emperor Harsha
mode of hand suggestive in dance, single asamyuta or double samyuta
hands crossed
mode of wearing the lower garment to suggest the contour of the elephant’s trunk
golden womb; source of all creation according to the Rig Veda; name given to a Veda ritual
fire sacrifice
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
liquid pillar of victory
loin-cloth
locks of hair of an ascetic; knot of matted hair, especially of Shiva; hallmark of Shiva’s followers (risis)
heavy mass of locks of hair
An elaborate coiffure of jatas piled above the head to a crown adorned with jewels or ornamentation.
outspread circle of locks of hair
individual soul
flaming hair
Cloth folded to form a pleat
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)
A measure of weight used in weighing precious things like pearl, coral, perfumes, etc., also unit of bullion weight of gold; ancient weight measure.
(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)
Shaivite poet-saint who was a hunter
‘shirt-wearer’, a chamberlain in the royal harem
a basement-moulding, (kandam, Tamil: காந்தம்)
wristlet (cf. valaya)
neck
(also kan dam; Tamil: க்ண்டம்) Tenon of a bulbous capital; Notice: not to be confused with kandam.
a stiff necklace
Sacred ceremony of giving away the bride in marriage
Literally human skull – used as begging bowl; skull-cap
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)
a stiff necklace of large round gold beads strung on metal rather than thread
sixth-century female devotee of Shiva, included in canon of poet-saints; famed for renouncing bodily beauty to serve Shiva better
dance pose; classified and codified dance movements
basket-like
a conical crown of hairstyle in tiers bulgingin horizontal sections – the whole resembling a basket in shape; the tiers are called karandas (cf. karanda)
hand held straight like a stick (cf. danda-hasta)
metalworker
major character in the Mahabharata epic
(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.
ear-ornament
(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.
a holding gesture
the gesture of kartari
fingers of the hand held like a pair of scissors to hold an object
a flower
Vedic sage
a pose of holding between the closed fingers
the pose of hand in kataka
hand in an attitude of holding a lily
waist-band
prismatic section of a pillar; Intervening octagonal or polygonal portion between the bottom ans top squares of a pillar.
pose in which the hand is held straight below the hip
metal covering
Kayotsarga means to give up one’s physical comfort and body movements, thus staying steady, either in a standing or other posture, and concentrating upon the true nature of the soul.
a variety of coiffure; hair-style with a binding of flowers or fillets
an armlet similar to baji-bandha but made of stiff rings
Kerala term used for the nasika (cf. nasika and sukanasika).
bells or tinklers on a thread
chain of bells
crown
a type of tall crown of metal
(also kirtimukha) literally ‘face of glory’; Lion’s head signifying glory usually seen in arches and belt loops and ornaments. A motif consisting of leonine head with bulging eyes and a flat nose, seen in the centre of belts prabhavali and… Continue Reading →
(also kiriti-mukha) literally ‘face of glory’; Lion’s head signifying glory usually seen in arches and belt loops and ornaments. A motif consisting of leonine head with bulging eyes and a flat nose, seen in the centre of belts prabhavali and… Continue Reading →
name of the bow held by Rama
foliage-decoration (especially over the edges of the sikhara or kodungai)
cornice, moulded projection over a tala (kodungai, Tamil: கொடுங்கை)
a wristlet or anklet of woven pattern
(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.
deer skin
one of four castes in Hindu society, kshatriyas are the military and ruling classes
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.
a breast band
(kudam, Tamil: குடம்) part of the capital of a pillar (cf. stambham)
a measure of weight (unknown today) referred to in Chola inscriptions
‘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
a graceful bend or tilt
an ear ring; ear-ornament (of various kinds such as makara-, preta-, patra-, ratna-, simha- and naga-)
(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.
dance
‘Crest figure’; chief decorative motif or figure on the frontal of any entrance or door-lintel, sometimes extending to the overdoor.
relaxed sitting posture with one leg pendant, the other bent at the knee
Buddhist sutra that narrates the story of the Buddha, starting with his descent from the Tushita heavens and ending with the First Sermon
dance pose; graceful form
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.
unit of measurement
sportive lotus
(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 →
lord of the world
hand dangling at ease
male skirt (also dhoti or veshti)
part of the bodigai or bodhika
lotus-wax mode of casting metal image i.e. (fr.) cire-perdue
interspace between walls
First string sarini producing a middle note on the vina instrument.
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)
great soul
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.
sitting posture with one leg folded at the hip, touching the thigh of the other, which hangs with the heels slightly raised above the pedestal which is touched only by the toe or a few fingers
a royal pose of sitting at ease; seated pose of ease like a king, with the right hand resting on the knee of the bent right leg
the future Buddha
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
a clasp with the motif of a makara
a golden ornament worn in the centre of the head dress with the makara motif below
a stiff necklace with a makara motif
(also makara-kuntala); ear ornament with a makara motif
makara decoration on a crown
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 →
crown
looped garland
Apex of pillars or pilaster shaft below capital with looped garland (mala) hanging from the padma-bandha.
halo (cf. bha-mandala)
territorial division within a kingdom
(also mandapam, Tamil: மண்டபம்) open or closed pillared or astylar hall; place of assembly
auspicious string on neck (of females)
a necklace with a motif of mangoes
influential guild of medieval merchants in South India
ninth-century Shaivite poet-saint who lived after the sixty-three nayanmar; one of the nalvar (‘Revered Four’)
string of beads
Tamil classification of women: a nubile girl twelve to thirteen years old
chant
Tamil classification of women: an ingénue fourteen to nineteen years of age
pearl-festoons
silence
broad girdle
goddess enshrined at Madurai; literally ‘fish-eyed one’
human figures
liberation
deer
gesture of the hand
the frontal motif of any ornament
First or frontal mandapa of a series at the entrance of a temple, often synonymous with maha-mandapa in earlier temples.
facade
deity enshrined in the temple sanctum
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)
manifestation of divinity; Is a devotional image, such as a statue or icon, of a deity or saint used during puja and/or in other customary forms of actively expressing devotion or reverence.
dwarf-like figure signifying ignorance and darkness, upon whom Shiva as Nataraja dances in conquest; Tamil version of Sanskrit term ‘Apasmara’
chieftains and landowners in pre-Chola Tamil Nadu who became Chola feudatories
‘Revered Three’ Shaivite poet-saints – child saint Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar (cf. nalvar)
the demon under the foot of Nataraja, see also apasmara
navel
Sacred Words of the Lady (Andal)
serpent demi-god living in the netherworld
an angada with the motif of snakes
(also nagabandham, Tamil: நாகபந்தம்) a pillar-decoration resembling the hood of a snake; a section having a frieze of naga (cf. hamsa-bandhana)
wristlet with a frieze of nagas
snakes twisted to form the sacred thread or yajnopavita
breast band composed of a snake
merchant township
merchants
Life of Nala, king of Nishadha
toe-nail to crest
‘Revered Four’ Shaivite poet-saints – the muvar and Manikkavachakar
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
dance hall (cf. nritta-mandapa)
treatise on drama
nine planets
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.
Measurement of images by nine tālas
newly wedded bride
newly-wed
hero
saintly devotee of Shiva; in the singular, the term is ‘nayanar’
heroine
classification of heroines
Miniature apsidal shrine; same as panjara.
storeys of a gopura; (plural: nilais, Old Tamil: நிலை, Modern Tamil: நிலை)
a long tubular flower
Devoid of a closed circuit or ambulatory round the cella, the wall of the cella being single and thick (as opposed to sandhara).
a royal title, lit. perennial entertainment
hall of dance (cf. natya-mandapa)
dancing form
anklet
putting down
Basal pitha of pillar or pilaster
Pillar (cf. stambha or stambham)
crossed legs
foot-first to hair
a pendant inlaid with jewels
literally ‘temple sung of’ (in the saints’ poems); sacred sites of hallowed antiquity
(also padapitha); foot-stool
an ornament worn below the ankle designed to lie loose on the foot; jewel for the feet
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
dwarf attendant of Kubera holding a lotus in his hand
Lotus; capital member (doucine) below the phalaka (abacus), shaped like a lotus with petals (also padma, Tamil: பத்மம்).
(also padmapitha); a pedestal with a motif in the form of an inverted lotus
Lotus pose: a seated pose of ease with the legs crossed and feet resting on the thighs with the soles turned up; alternativly, the lotus shaped seat or pedestal (also padma-pitham)
wooden sandal
side line
abacus or tailloir; (palagai, Tamil: பலகை) part of the capital of a pillar (cf. stambham)
chieftains and landowners in pre-Chola Tamil Nadu who became Chola feudatories
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.
Measurement of images by five tālas
the ceremony of giving a bride away in marriage
(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.
Chola monarchs alternately took the title Rajakesari (King-lion) or Parakesari (Supreme lion). Also known as Rajakesarivarman or Parakesarivarman.
Chola monarchs alternately took the title Rajakesari (King-lion) or Parakesari (Supreme lion). Also known as Rajakesarivarman or Parakesarivarman.
unit of measurement
the Absolute
an axe
the passing away of the Buddha
subsidiary deities in shrines called parivaralaya’s or parivara.
tutelary deity (cf. parivara-devatas)
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
legs bound in a strap for so they stay easily kept in a yogic meditation pose (cf. yoga-patta)
seated pose with legs locked over seat
a small noose
Life of Parshvanatha (Sridhara)
flag
‘place sung by the saints’ – temple or holy place celebrated in hymn by poet-saints
close fitting bangles often formed by one or more continuous spiral
ear-ornament in the form of a leaf-scroll inserted in the ear lobe
leaf decoration on crown
leaf strip decoration of coiffure
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
triangular part crowning the front of a building
Tamil classification of women: a woman thirty-two to forty years old
‘Great Sacred Text’ compiled by Sekkilar; the hagiographic account of the lives of the sixty-three nayanmar, or the Shiva poet-saints
Tamil classification of women: a girl of five to seven years old
Tamil classification of women: a young girl eight to eleven years of age
Abacus; wide plank on top of the terminal saduram or moulded capital of pillar supporting the corbel or potika.
literally ‘begging god’ (Shiva); also known as Bhikshatana in Sanskrit
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 →
bow of Shiva
(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
a circular mark on the forehead
circle of light or a halo; decorative circle or flames framing sculptural image of deity; aureole
an arch with tongues of flame attached to it (cf. tiruvachi)
act of circumambulating a deity or place of reverence
perambulatory passage
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
dynastic eulogy
(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).
the chief gana
cognizances of an image
warrior’s pose, the opposite of alidha
necklace of mixed gems
discus in action
wheel design on buttocks
lit. new mandapa
ritual act to invoke and honour a deity, performed by presiding Brahman priests at temples, by village priests at local shrines, or by householders at household shrines
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