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
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