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
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