Archives Glossary of special terms

prabha

circle of light or a halo; decorative circle or flames framing sculptural image of deity; aureole

prabhavali

an arch with tongues of flame attached to it (cf. tiruvachi)

pradakshina

act of circumambulating a deity or place of reverence

pradakshinavithi

perambulatory passage

prakara

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)

pranala

Spout projected like a gargoyle to discharge water.

prasada

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 →

prasada-dvara

main temple-gateway/gopuram with 3 to 5 storeys

prashasti

dynastic eulogy

prastara

(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).

prastaram

(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).

prathama-gana

the chief gana

pratima-lakshana

cognizances of an image

pratyalidha

warrior’s pose, the opposite of alidha

pravala

necklace of mixed gems

prayoga-chakra

discus in action

prishthachakra

wheel design on buttocks

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