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The Brihadishvara Temple, ThanjavurJean-Pierre Dalbera (CC BY)
Adisthana - the decorative raised platform on which a temple is built.
Figure en toilette, KhajurahoAnindita Basu (CC BY-NC-SA)
Alasa kanya - a decorative female figure.
Muktesvara Temple, BhubaneshwarAmartyabag (CC BY-SA)
Amalaka - a large fluted stone disc placed on top of a Nagara tower taking its form from the amla or myrobalan fruit native to India.
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Features of Hindu ArchitectureTangopaso (CC BY-SA)
Antarala - an antechamber to the inner sanctum or garbhagriha of a temple.
Durga Temple, AiholeJean-Pierre Dalbera (CC BY)
Ardhamandapa - a temple portico serving as an entrance porch.
Bho - a medallion motif of Orissan architecture which projects from towers and shows a monster regurgitating garlands flanked by two dwarfs.
Principal Features of a Hindu Temple ComplexTangopaso (CC BY-NC-SA)
Bhoga mandapa - (or Bogh-mandir) a hall in Orissan temples which is used for consecrated food preparation and distribution.
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Brihadishvara Temple, ThanjavurAravindreddy.d (CC BY-SA)
Devalaya - the general name of a temple meaning a god’s dwelling place.
Shore Temple, MahabalipuramArian Zwegers (CC BY)
Dravida - the style of southern temple architecture.
Garbhagriha, PattadakalArnold Betten (Public Domain)
Garbhagriha - (also garbha grha) meaning ‘womb-chamber,’ the small windowless room that is the main shrine of the temple, usually containing a representation or symbol of the principal deity.
Ghana dvara - blind doorways of the garbhagriha, which symbolically allow the energy of the deity to radiate through and beyond the temple. They may also act as secondary niche shrines.
Ghanta - a bell-shaped finial on the top of a tower.
Monumental Gateway, Brihadishvara Temple, ThanjavurJean-Pierre Dalbera (CC BY)
Gopura - a monumental gate tower of Dravida temples.
Surviving Jagamohana of the Konark Sun Temple, OrissaGérald Anfossi (CC BY-SA)
Jagamohana - the mandapa or entrance hall of an Orissan temple.
Kirtimukha, NepalClemensmarabu (CC BY-SA)
Kirtimukha - a decorative lion or monster motif with the lower jaw missing, typically placed over doorways.
Mandapa, Amritheswara templeDineshkannambadi (CC BY-SA)
Mandapa - a columned hallway which leads to the garbhagriha or inner sanctum.
Makara, CambodiaVassil (Public Domain)
Makara - a decorative sea monster motif.
Parsvanatha Temple, KhajurahoJean-Pierre Dalbera (CC BY)
Nagara - the style of northern temple architecture.
Vimana, Kailasanatha Temple, KanchipuramAndrea Kirkby (CC BY-NC-SA)
Nandi Mandapa - a pavilion which contains a statue of Shiva’s gatekeeper and vehicle, the bull Nandi.
Nata Mandapa, KonarkAlokprasad84 (CC BY-SA)
Nata mandapa - (also nata mandir) the dance hall in Orissan temples, added from the 10th century CE.
Shiva with Nandi, AiholeJean-Pierre Dalbera (CC BY)
Nataraja - a decorative dancing Shiva motif.
Kailasanatha Temple, Kanchipuram, IndiaKannan Muthuraman (CC BY-ND)
Prakara - a high wall which encloses a temple.
Wheel, Konarak Sun TemplePrapti Panda (CC BY-NC-SA)
Ratha - a projection on the exterior wall of a Nagara temple; there are typically seven on each side. Also the name for the chariot of the sun god Surya which sun temples represent via spoked wheels on the outer walls.
Bhima & DhamarajaBernard Gagnon (CC BY-SA)
Sala - a barrel-vaulted roof in Dravida architecture, often represented as an architectural motif.
Rajarani Temple, BhubaneshwarLnm8910 (CC BY-SA)
Sikhara - the tower of a Nagara temple which is built directly above the inner sanctum or garbhagriha. Also the decorative top of a tower in Dravida temples.
Talas of the Brihadishvara TempleThamizhpparithi Maari (CC BY-SA)
Tala - the tiers of a vimana tower.
Gopura & Nataraja Temple, ChidambaramJean-Pierre Dalbera (CC BY)
Temple tank - a ritual bathing tank or pool common in southern temples.
Kandariya Mahadeo Temple, KhajurahoDennis Jarvis (CC BY-SA)
Urushringa - a smaller, subsidiary tower, usually joining or enclosing the main tower.
Kailasanatha Temple, KanchipuramBalaji Shankar Venkatachari (CC BY-NC-SA)
Vimana - the more rounded tower of a Dravida temple. Typically they are topped by a small dome.
Temple Vastu-Purusa-MandalaJames Princep (Public Domain)
Vastu-purusa-mandala - the symbolic symmetrical floorplan which Hindu temples follow.
Somanathapura, Vesara Style TempleSrinivasa83 (CC BY-SA)
Vesara - the style of architecture which mixed Nagara and Dravida styles.
Vyala (Yali)Mkghosh06 (CC BY-SA)
Vyala - (also yali) the decorative lion monster seen in many Hindu temples.
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