GLOSSARY

antarala                  A small corridor between the ardhamnadapa and the mukhamandapa.

adhisthana               The base of a temple. Consist of several layers or mouldings that developed into various shapes
                                 over time. One of the elements that can be used to identify the period of construction of a temple.

Chola                       One of the three dynasties who traditionally ruled southern India. Already known in the Sangam
                                 period (BCE). From around 870 the Cholas re-established themselves as a great dynasty with as
                                 their capital Tanjore in the centre of the Caveri delta.

deva                        A deity.

devakoshtha           A niche in the wall of a temple in which a murti or sculpture of a deity would be placed.

dvitala                     A shrine with two storeys.

ekatala                    A shrine with one storey.

garbhagriha             The sanctum sanctorum or shrine which houses the deity.

gopura                     A temple gateway.

hara                         A decoration around the roof of a shrine consisting of miniature shrine called shalas and karnakutis,
                                 as well as other connecting decorations.

jagati                        the lowermost layer of an adhisthana or base of a temple.

kal                            A pillar or pilaster.

kapota                     The cornice, sometimes also a layer of the base. Typically with a rounded profile and decorated with
                                 kudus and a fascia or band.

karnakuti                 A miniature shrine or pavilion, one of the elements of the hara, situated on the corner of the shrine.

koyil                         Tamil word for temple.

kudu                         Horse-shoe shaped ornament of the kapota.

kumuda                    The layer of the adhisthana above the jagati.

kumbha                    Pot or vessel. Also applied to pot-shaped decorative elements such as the upper part of a pillar.

mandapa                  Hall with pillars.

modaka                    a food offer special for Lord Ganesha consisting of a tasty filling covered with a blend outer layer.

murti                        The physical embodiment of a deity in the form of a sculpture.

naga                         Cobra

nivedya                    Food offering for the deity, given to the devotees as prasadam.

Pallava                     A dynasty of kings which ruled from Kancipuram in Tondai Nadu, in the area around the river Palar
                                 between the 6th and 9th centuries.

Pandya                     The dynasty that had Madurai and the surrounding land called Pandya Nadu as their traditional
                                 homeland.

pattika                     One of the bands of the adhisthana.

podigai                     Corbel

prakara                    Circumambulatory passage around a temple, sometimes just a corridor, sometimes a large temple
                                 courtyard. Larger temples have more than one concentric courtyard.

prasadam                 Anything of which the deity has partaken and what is given to the devotees.            

ratha                        Chariot

shikhara                   The cupola or dome that forms the roof of a vimana.

stupa                        The crowning element of a shikhara. Its presence indicates the temple has been ???

vimana                     The name of the building that contains the sanctum sanctorum or garbhagriha. Strictly speaking
                                 only the pyramid shaped roof of the sanctum.

tirtha                        The sacred water pond of a temple.

Trimurti                   The Hindu Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Representing Creation, Preservation
                                 and Destruction in the cosmos.