Hindu Architecture Terms

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Shikhara

tallest tower for northern Hindu temples; “mountain peak”

Kandariya Mahadeva

“Great god, lord of the cave”; northern temple dedicated to Shiva

Garbha-griha

“Womb-room” containing sacred objects

Ardha mandapa

entrance porch

(maha)mandapa

(great)hall

Antarla

vestibule

Pradakshina

moving clockwise around garbha-griha

Jagati

platform on which temple is set

amalaka

circular part of spire

kalasha

finial, symbolizing moksha

urushringa

subsidary sikhara

axis mundi

axis of the world

imago mundi

image of the world

Brihadisvara

“supreme lord”

vimanam

tower over garbha-griha for southern temples

kumbam

“pot” atop the vimanam

gopuram

very elaborate entry gate for southern temples

dvarapala

protective guardians for southern temples

tikala

red dots with tumeric powder applied to murti during puja as offerings

prakara

wall encircling a temple

Sri Ranganatha

Vishnu, lord of the place of assembly