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)
The attitude of meditation. In this hand-pose, both hands are placed on the lap, right hand on left, with the fingers fully extended and the palm facing upwards. Also called yoga-mudra or dhyana.
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
hand-pose in the attitude of teaching or exposition; In this hand-pose, the tips of the thumb and the forefinger touch each other to form a circle, while the other fingers are kept open. The palm faces outwards.
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
similar to abhaya
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; four-legged and is rectangular or circular in shape; its four legs are made up of four small lions
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 icon every day. (cf. Kataka, Kataka-hasta… Continue Reading →
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 variety of coiffure; smaller version of the headgear made of plaits of hair
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; In this hand-pose, the projected forefinger points to an object below.
(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
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