---
title: A Visual Glossary of Hindu Architecture
author: Mark Cartwright
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/994/a-visual-glossary-of-hindu-architecture/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# A Visual Glossary of Hindu Architecture
_Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_
[  The Brihadishvara Temple, Thanjavur Jean-Pierre Dalbera (CC BY) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3988/the-brihadishvara-temple-thanjavur/ "The Brihadishvara Temple, Thanjavur")**Adisthana - the decorative raised platform on which a [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) is built.
[  Figure en toilette, Khajuraho Anindita Basu (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5444/figure-en-toilette-khajuraho/ "Figure en toilette, Khajuraho")**Alasa kanya** - a decorative female figure.
[  Muktesvara Temple, Bhubaneshwar Amartyabag (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3993/muktesvara-temple-bhubaneshwar/ "Muktesvara Temple, Bhubaneshwar")**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](https://www.worldhistory.org/india/).
[  Features of Hindu Architecture Tangopaso (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3975/features-of-hindu-architecture/ "Features of Hindu Architecture")**Antarala** - an antechamber to the inner sanctum or *garbhagriha* of a temple.
[  Durga Temple, Aihole Jean-Pierre Dalbera (CC BY) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3966/durga-temple-aihole/ "Durga Temple, Aihole")**Ardhamandapa** - a temple portico serving as an entrance porch.
**Bho** - a medallion motif of Orissan [architecture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/architecture/) which projects from towers and shows a monster regurgitating garlands flanked by two dwarfs.
[  Principal Features of a Hindu Temple Complex Tangopaso (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6171/principal-features-of-a-hindu-temple-complex/ "Principal Features of a Hindu Temple Complex")**Bhoga mandapa** - (or *Bogh-mandir*) a hall in Orissan temples which is used for consecrated food preparation and distribution.
[  Brihadishvara Temple, Thanjavur Aravindreddy.d (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3986/brihadishvara-temple-thanjavur/ "Brihadishvara Temple, Thanjavur")**Devalaya** - the general name of a temple meaning a [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/)'s dwelling place.
[  Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram Arian Zwegers (CC BY) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5283/shore-temple-mahabalipuram/ "Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram")**Dravida** - the style of southern temple architecture.
[  Garbhagriha, Pattadakal Arnold Betten (Public Domain) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6165/garbhagriha-pattadakal/ "Garbhagriha, Pattadakal")**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](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/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, Thanjavur Jean-Pierre Dalbera (CC BY) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3987/monumental-gateway-brihadishvara-temple-thanjavur/ "Monumental Gateway, Brihadishvara Temple, Thanjavur")**Gopura** - a monumental gate tower of Dravida temples.
[  Surviving Jagamohana of the Konark Sun Temple, Orissa Gérald Anfossi (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6166/surviving-jagamohana-of-the-konark-sun-temple-oris/ "Surviving Jagamohana of the Konark Sun Temple, Orissa")**Jagamohana** - the *mandapa* or entrance hall of an Orissan temple.
[  Kirtimukha, Nepal Clemensmarabu (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6167/kirtimukha-nepal/ "Kirtimukha, Nepal")**Kirtimukha** - a decorative lion or monster motif with the lower jaw missing, typically placed over doorways.
[  Mandapa, Amritheswara temple Dineshkannambadi (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6169/mandapa-amritheswara-temple/ "Mandapa, Amritheswara temple")**Mandapa** - a columned hallway which leads to the *garbhagriha* or inner sanctum.
[  Makara, Cambodia Vassil (Public Domain) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6168/makara-cambodia/ "Makara, Cambodia")**Makara** - a decorative sea monster motif.
[  Parsvanatha Temple, Khajuraho Jean-Pierre Dalbera (CC BY) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3973/parsvanatha-temple-khajuraho/ "Parsvanatha Temple, Khajuraho")**Nagara** - the style of northern temple architecture.
[  Vimana, Kailasanatha Temple, Kanchipuram Andrea Kirkby (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4002/vimana-kailasanatha-temple-kanchipuram/ "Vimana, Kailasanatha Temple, Kanchipuram")**[Nandi](https://www.worldhistory.org/Nandi/) Mandapa** - a pavilion which contains a statue of [Shiva](https://www.worldhistory.org/shiva/)'s gatekeeper and vehicle, the bull Nandi.
[  Nata Mandapa, Konark Alokprasad84 (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6173/nata-mandapa-konark/ "Nata Mandapa, Konark")**Nata mandapa** - (also *nata mandir*) the dance hall in Orissan temples, added from the 10th century CE.
[  Shiva with Nandi, Aihole Jean-Pierre Dalbera (CC BY) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3967/shiva-with-nandi-aihole/ "Shiva with Nandi, Aihole")**Nataraja** - a decorative dancing Shiva motif.
[  Kailasanatha Temple, Kanchipuram, India Kannan Muthuraman (CC BY-ND) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4000/kailasanatha-temple-kanchipuram-india/ "Kailasanatha Temple, Kanchipuram, India")**Prakara** - a high [wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/) which encloses a temple.
[  Wheel, Konarak Sun Temple Prapti Panda (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5270/wheel-konarak-sun-temple/ "Wheel, Konarak Sun Temple")**Ratha** - a projection on the exterior wall of a Nagara temple; there are typically seven on each side. Also the name for the [chariot](https://www.worldhistory.org/chariot/) of the sun god [Surya](https://www.worldhistory.org/Surya/) which sun temples represent via spoked wheels on the outer walls.
[  Bhima & Dhamaraja Bernard Gagnon (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6172/bhima--dhamaraja/ "Bhima & Dhamaraja")**Sala** - a barrel-vaulted roof in Dravida architecture, often represented as an architectural motif.
[  Rajarani Temple, Bhubaneshwar Lnm8910 (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3992/rajarani-temple-bhubaneshwar/ "Rajarani Temple, Bhubaneshwar")**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 Temple Thamizhpparithi Maari (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6174/talas-of-the-brihadishvara-temple/ "Talas of the Brihadishvara Temple")**Tala** - the tiers of a *vimana* tower.
[  Gopura & Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram Jean-Pierre Dalbera (CC BY) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3996/gopura--nataraja-temple-chidambaram/ "Gopura & Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram")**Temple tank** - a ritual bathing tank or pool common in southern temples.
[  Kandariya Mahadeo Temple, Khajuraho Dennis Jarvis (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3970/kandariya-mahadeo-temple-khajuraho/ "Kandariya Mahadeo Temple, Khajuraho")**Urushringa** - a smaller, subsidiary tower, usually joining or enclosing the main tower.
[  Kailasanatha Temple, Kanchipuram Balaji Shankar Venkatachari (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4001/kailasanatha-temple-kanchipuram/ "Kailasanatha Temple, Kanchipuram")**Vimana** - the more rounded tower of a Dravida temple. Typically they are topped by a small dome.
[  Temple Vastu-Purusa-Mandala James Princep (Public Domain) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6175/temple-vastu-purusa-mandala/ "Temple Vastu-Purusa-Mandala")**Vastu-purusa-[mandala](https://www.worldhistory.org/mandala/)** - the symbolic symmetrical floorplan which [Hindu](https://www.worldhistory.org/hinduism/) temples follow.
[  Somanathapura, Vesara Style Temple Srinivasa83 (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6176/somanathapura-vesara-style-temple/ "Somanathapura, Vesara Style Temple")**Vesara** - the style of architecture which mixed Nagara and Dravida styles.
[  Vyala (Yali) Mkghosh06 (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6177/vyala-yali/ "Vyala (Yali)")**Vyala** - (also y*[ali](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Ali/)*) the decorative lion monster seen in many Hindu temples.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored article has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- [Harle, J.C. *The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent.* Yale University Press, 1994.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B01K0Q8FY6/)
- [Michell, G. *Hindu Art and Architecture.* Thames & Hudson, 2000.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500203377/)
- [Mitter, P. *Indian Art.* Oxford University Press, 2001.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0192842218/)
## About the Author
Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Cartwright, M. (2016, December 19). A Visual Glossary of Hindu Architecture. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Cartwright, Mark. "A Visual Glossary of Hindu Architecture." *World History Encyclopedia*, December 19, 2016. .
### MLA
Cartwright, Mark. "A Visual Glossary of Hindu Architecture." *World History Encyclopedia*, 19 Dec 2016, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 19 December 2016. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.