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.
a kind of snake; name of certain naga’s (serpent-demons)
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/kalaśa, 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. Kalaśa (Hindi:… Continue Reading →
(also kalasam or kalasha/kalaśa, 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. Vase; The… Continue Reading →
Kalpalatā is a wish fulfilling tree.
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)
Kamaṇḍalu (कमण्डलु) refer to a water pot, water jug or holy jug; a vessel or vase to hold water. It is of different shapes and in some cases has a spout.
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
Kapāla (कपाल), literally human skull – used as begging bowl; skull-cup, usually of Brahmā when it is carried be Śiva. In sculptural representations it looks like a spherical or oval bowl.
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 (see also daṇḍa hasta and gaja 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; In this hand-pose the hand is kept level with the shoulder. The thumb and the ring finger form a ring and the index and middle fingers are kept straight up to look like the horn of a… Continue Reading →
In this hand-pose the hand is kept level with the shoulder. The thumb and the ring finger form a ring and the index and middle fingers are kept straight up to look like the horn of a deer, in which… Continue Reading →
the gesture of kartari; In this hand-pose the hand is kept level with the shoulder. The thumb and the ring finger form a ring and the index and middle fingers are kept straight up to look like the horn of… Continue Reading →
fingers of the hand held like a pair of scissors to hold an object; In this hand-pose the hand is kept level with the shoulder. The thumb and the ring finger form a ring and the index and middle fingers… Continue Reading →
Karttrikā (कर्त्त्रिका) or Karttṛkā (कर्त्तृका) is a small sword or hunter’s knife; chopper, the symbol of Tantric goddesses like Buddhaśaktis, Ḍākshinīs, etc.
Karttṛkā (कर्त्तृका) or Karttrikā (कर्त्त्रिका) is a small sword or hunter’s knife; chopper, the symbol of Tantric goddesses like Buddhaśaktis, Ḍākshinīs, etc.
a flower
Vedic sage
a pose of holding between the closed fingers; In this hand-pose, the tips of the fingers are loosely joined to the thumb to form a ring. This is done with a view to inserting a fresh flower in the hand… Continue Reading →
the pose of hand in kaṭaka; In this hand-pose, the tips of the fingers are loosely joined to the thumb to form a ring. This is done with a view to inserting a fresh flower in the hand of the… Continue Reading →
hand in an attitude of holding a lily; In this hand-pose, the tips of the fingers are loosely joined to the thumb to form a ring. This is done with a view to inserting a fresh flower in the hand… Continue Reading →
This is the pose of ease. The arm hangs loose and the hand is placed on the waist. Also called Katyavalambita.
waist-band
a small knife
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; This is the pose of ease. The arm hangs loose and the hand is placed on the waist. Also called Kati-hasta.
Kaumudī (कौमुदी) is associated with half-moon, moonshine or moonlight.
Kaustubha (Hindi: कौस्तुभ) is a chest jewel and is located on the chest of Lord Vishṇu
metal covering
Kayotsarga (कयोत्सर्ग) 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 (cf. kayotsarga-sthanaka and sthanaka).
Kayotsargasthānaka (कयोत्सर्गस्थानक) or Kayotsarga refers to the ‘erect posture’; In kayotsarga posture, the feet are placed together with the body erect and the arms hanging close to the body.
also keśabandha; a variety of coiffure; hair-style with a binding of flowers or fillets
an armlet similar to baji-bandha but made of stiff rings
The khaḍga (खड्ग) is a sword. It may be long or short, single-edged or double-edged. It is the symbol of enlightenment. ‘As the sword cuts knots, so does the intellect pierce the deepest recesses of Buddhist toughts.’ It is the… Continue Reading →
Khakkhara (खक्खर) is an alarm staff. It is a long wooden staff with a metal top with a number of metal rings attached to it. Shaken to give warning.; also a beggar’s staff
Khaṭvānga (खट्वाङ्ग) a kind of a club made up of the bone of the forearm or leg. To the end of this is attached a skull. It is probably a weapon which comes from antiquity. Sometimes the bone shaft is… Continue Reading →
The kheṭaka (Sanskrit: खेटक) is a shield. It represents Dharma, which protects like a shield. It may be circular or rectangular. It has a handle at the back. the face of the shield shows a variety of faces and emblems.
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 →
Kiṣku (Sanskrit: किष्कु), cubit; unit of measurement; 1 Kiṣku = 2 Vitasti; There are 4 different cubit (kiṣku) varieties: 1 Kiṣku = 24 Aṅgulas, 1 Prajapatya = 25 Aṅgulas, 1 Dhanurmusti = 26 Aṅgulas, 1 Dhanurgraha = 27 Aṅgulas. The… 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
This is the gesture for sprinkling ambrosia. In this hand-pose are joined palm to palm, with the tips of the index fingers touching and turned down towards the vase containing nectar. It is the mudra of Nāmasangīti.
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
Kukkuṭa (Sanskrit: कुक्कुट) a cock or fowl. Held by Sbrahmaṇya (Kārttikeya).
(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
Kuṇḍa or kunta (कुन्त) is a spear; also a sacrificial pit
an ear ring; ear-ornament (of various kinds such as makara-, preta-, patra-, ratna-, simha- and naga-)
Kunta or kuṇḍa (कुन्त) is a spear; also a sacrificial pit
smaller version of the headgear made of plaits of hair
Kūrma (Sanskrit: कूर्म) it means tortoise; a standing posture with the outer part of the leg, heel and knee of the right side are placed on the ground and the left foot is kept in the normal position; sitting cross-legged… Continue Reading →
Kūrmāsana (कूर्मासन) refers to the ‘seat of the turtle’; Oval in shape and is made of wood; it has the face and the feet of a tortoise; is the name of an āsana (cf. kūrma)
(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.
Kuṭhāra (कुठार) is an axe
dance
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