part of the bodigai or bodhika
religious merit
war genre in Tamil poetics
garland of musical modes
sons of ragas
daughters of ragas
male musical modes
female musical modes
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.
silver dance hall (of Natesa at Madurai)
Equivalent of navaranga, corresponding th the maha-mandapa of southern vimana temples.
aesthetic experience
bouquet of delights
connoisseurs’ delights
appreciation
Chariot; monolithic vimana; temple chariot designed to transport processional images of deities during temple festival processions
gem decoration on crown
gem strip decoration of coiffure
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.
one of the five sthānas or positions
sage
description of the seasons
fine line of hair
a stiff necklace of rudraksha corals etc. or an ornamental motif similar to rudraksha berries
a berry sacred to Shiva, Elaeocarpus Ganitrus
a necklace or garland of rudraksha corals
Mandapa with shrine of Nataraja in the southern temples, generally facing south.
one of the five sthānas or positions
cord worn by high-caste Brahmans, the ‘twice-born’
attentive, formal
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).
mirror on literature/poetry
Mirror of knowledge (Indian philosophy/epistemology)
hero’s male friend
heroine’s female friend and confidante
a spear-shaped weapon; also synonymous of power and energy
a spear-shaped weapon; also synonymous of power and energy
(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
a posture in which the figure is shown without flexions of the body (see also abhanga, tribhanga)
fully ornamented
straight pose with feet together
prominent Shaivite poet-saint, believed to have lived in seventh-century; usually portrayed as a dancing child; one of the muvar (‘Revered Three’)
destructive
the form as destroyer
double hand in dance gesticulation
double hand in dance gesticulation
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).
evening
The classical age of the Tamil Nadu prior to Christian era.
conch
dwarf attendant of Kubera holding a conch in his hand
seven holy places
Measurement of images by seven tālas
head to foot
adornment of Sarasvati’s neck
a pose like a hooded serpent
one of the strings of the vina instrument
serpent-shaped ear-ornament
waves of beauty
reclining attitude
compiler of the Periya Puranam
pertaining to Shiva
feminine power
deceptive hero
Measurement of images by six tālas
art
light on art
art texts
artist
pun
erotic rasa or ornament
light on the erotic (rasa)
one of four castes in Hindu society, the lowest stratum of Indian society and form the majority of the population: artisans, tenant farmers, day laborers, servants, agricultural workers, laborers
(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 →
art
text providing technical and aesthetic guidance to those empowered to mark arts and crafts
lion
lit. leonine ear, in an attitude of beckoning
Lion faced
a seating with a lion’s face
a clasp with simha-mukha
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
turban
a royal title, lit. bearer of Shiva’s feet on his head
(also skandhamala) ornament or streamer of the tassels (of strings, beads etc.) shown at right angles on the shoulder
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
Shiva shown in family ensemble of Uma-Parvati and their child Skanda; especially popular in South India in the Pallava (c. 600-850) and Chola (c. 850-1279) periods.
an auspicious sign of varying design representing Sridevi often decorating the chest of Vishnu; triangular or rhomboid mark on the right side of his chest; attribute of Vishnu
(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);
necklet touching the breasts
artisans, architects, artists, metal sculptors, makers of icons, master builder, sculptor
(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 →
hand with pointing finger in terrifying attitude
(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)
seated at ease
(also sulam), a trident, spear or pointed weapon (cf. trisulam)
(also sula), a trident, spear or pointed weapon (cf. trisulam)
ninth-century Shaivite poet-saint, one of the muvar (‘Revered Three’)
the balustrade to the upper part of the mandapa is sculptural (surul-yali, Tamil: சுருள்-யாளி)
a motif of sun
hollow (casting)
The course which surrounding the sanctuary is called suttupprakaram (Tamil: சுத்துப்பாரகாரம்).
golden jewel shaped like chhannavira
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
dance poses
Wave; wavy roll-ornament of the corbel resembling the ‘reed’ moulding or ‘reeding’ of European classical architecture.
Corbel-bracket with roll- or taranga-moulding.
hand in attitude of threatening
circular ear-ornament
Dravidian language spoken in Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring regions. It is spoken by 81 million people in southern India. This makes Telugu the largest Dravidian language and the fourth most spoken language in India after Hindi, Bengali and Marathi.
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.
Tamil classification of women: a woman twenty-five to thirty years of age
first seven volumes of the Shaivite canon of devotional poetry, the Tirumurai, consisting of the hymns of Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar
a marriage token worn at the throat (cf. tiru)
a circular mark on the forehead; sectarian mark worn on forehand by Hindus to denote religious allegiance; believed to have talismanic properties
holy place of pilgrimage, associated with rivers and bathing places because water is believed to wash away sins
a marriage token worn at the throat (cf. thali)
ardha-mandapa or vestibule (cf. ardha-mandapa)
covered mandapa round the sanctum
peristyle: enclosure-wall with a mandapa
procession of the Lord of Kailasa
name of the Shaiva sacred canon that includes the Tevaram, and has an additional five books that concludes with the Periya Puranam
an arch with tongues of flame attached to it (cf. prabhavali)
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 →
unit of measurement
literally ‘triple-bent’; triflex (in the standing pose of a figure); consisting of three bows (neck, hips and knees) existing posture of a figure in the form of an ‘S’, she is considered graceful and sensual; exaggerated contrapposto
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.
trident
a trident, spear or pointed weapon (cf. sulam)
Measurement of images by three tālas
the three folds on the abdomen of a woman considered a mark of loveliness and grace
a streamer or loop shown at right angles on the shoulder (see also skandamala); mani-tudi one of small beads
The pillar is formed of three cubical parts called saduram and of two prismatic parts with facets called pattai (tun, Tamil: தூண்).
waist-band; an ornamental belt worn around the stomach
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 ugra) fierce, violent, powerful
Tamil word referring to both a procession and a poem describing a procession
ceremonial formulas
(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.
a sacred thread worn across the left shoulder and under the right arm (see also yajnopavita)
lintel, see uttiram
dot between the eyebrow
Literally turban; generally applied to the cranial protuberance on the head of Buddha
a pose of the leg tucked up on the seat
seated with a bent leg raised on the seat itself and the other dangling
generally means a festival or celebration or any joyous occasion; religious festivals focused on processions and held periodically, the most spectacular being annual parades
Mandapa in which the processional deities of bronze are kept during celebrations.
a movable festival image or idol of gods and saints used for procession, generally bronze; is a form of a murti (icon) which represents a deity. The portable utsava-murti is employed in the tradition of temple processions, serving as a… Continue Reading →
highest
Rama’s last act
a shawl-like garment worn across the upper part of the body; upper garment; an upper cloth
(also uttiram, Tamil: உத்திரம்) cross-beam
(also uttira, Tamil: உத்திரம்) cross-beam
hall of disputation
a vehicle; generally applied to animal mount of various deities; mount on which a deity rides
cross belt
libertine
pertaining to Vishnu
one of four castes in Hindu society, the occupations are consists mainly of agriculture, taking care of cattle, trade and other business pursuits
bridal form
a thunderbolt weapon represented with double trident joined together, associated with Indra
vajra instrument
unit of measurement
the proboscis of Ganesa turned right instead of the usual left
wristlet (cf. kankana)
a simple wristlet
Vishnu’s garland
a stiff decorated ornament worn on the upper arm
a gesture bestowing boon
a hand lowered; palm forward, fingers pointing downwards
hand-pose conferring a boon
(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
boy
(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 →
‘knowledge’ – sacred Hindu scriptures, regarded by orthodoxy as divine revelation
railing
a single edged spear
a human skull
male skirt (also lungi or dhoti)
prostitute
celestial being shown as flying in the air
Buddhist monastery; in India especially associated with rock-cut halls
procession of Vikrama Chola
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
a lute, a long-necked stringed instrument with globular resonator
the hollow shaft of the vina instrument
‘Player of the vina’- Shiva represented holding a vina, denoting his role as divine teacher of music
an ornament worn in token of heroic deeds, usually worn high up on the ankle
hero’s seated pose with one leg on the other
ritual performed by priest at end of worship (puja) to send away the deity after temporary inhabitation of icon
inverted lotus
circular
hand gesture of explanation, especially associated with Shiva and his followers
hand-pose in the attitude of exposition
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.
the great seer who edited the Vedas
Creatures with elephant body and lion face (cf. yali)
sacrifice, devotion, worship, offering; a Hindu ritual performed in front of a sacred fire and often accompanied by mantras
the sacred ceremonial thread, like muktayajnopavita, vastrayajnopavita, ajinayajnopavita etc.
nature spirit, could be benevolent or malefic, in Hindu and Bhuddist mythology (female: yakshi)
(yalam, Tamil: யாளம்) architectural part of the prastaram and is decorated with the yali (cf. yahzi)
leograph (cf. yahzi)
a band-strip for binding the legs in a meditation pose (cf. paryanka-bandha)
meditative pose
is an abstract or aniconic representation of the Hindu goddess Shakti, literally ‘womb’ and the female organs of generation
unit of measurement
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