Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c48: Glossary of Terms

Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c48

Language: English

Glossary of Terms

Abacus, *phalaka* or *palagai*, a square or rectangular table forming the crowning member of a capital Acanthus, a genus of plants, used conventionally in Greek art *Achchaday*, lit. envelope, the outer stone facing of a stupa Acroteria, a figure or ornament placed on the apex or at the lower angles of a pediment Addorsed, back to back Adytum, inner and most sacred chamber Aisle, lateral divisions running at the sides of the nave. Alcove, vaulted recess in wall *Alinda*, verandah. *Amalaka*, *amalasila* or *amalasari*, flat fluted melon-shaped member usually at the summit of the Indo-Aryan type of *sikhara* or spire Ambulatory, *pradakshina patha* or processional path Amman, shrine or pavilion attached to temples of southern India for ceremonial reception of the *amman* or goddess Amphitheatre, oval or circular building, with seats rising above and behind one another round a central open space *Anardha-paga*, projected surface adjacent to the surface at the angle of a building. *Anda*, literally "egg," spherical portion of the stupa *Anghri*, dwarf-pillar. Antae, pilasters terminating the side walls of a classic building Antarala, vestibule, chamber in front of shrine or cella Antechamber, chamber or small hall in front of a larger hall, vestibule Apse, Apsidal, the circular termination of a building; first applied to a Roman basilica. Arabesque, decoration with fanciful intertwining of ornamental elements Arbour, a structural retreat, often of lattice-work in a garden Arcade, range of arches supported on piers or columns. Architrave, the beam or lowest division of the entablature which extends from column to column Arcuate, arched *Ardha-Chandra*, semicircular doorstep before a shrine door. *Ardha Mandapam*, compartment in front of main hall of temple. *Aruna-Stambha*, a pillar dedicated to Aruna who personifies the dawn, or the Sun. Arris, corner or angle, sharp edge formed by the meeting of two surfaces Aryaka, worshipful columns; row of five pillars symbolizing the Five Dhyana Buddhas *Asana*, a seat or throne Ashlar, squared stonework in regular courses, in contradistinction to rubble work. *Ashta-bhadra*, eight faced or sided; star-shaped. *Ashta-dikpala*, the eight regents or guardians of the four cardinal and four intermediate points of the compass; ceiling, divided into nine panels, in the central one is Brahma, while surrounding eight contain images of the eight regents of the compass Favourate ceiling design in later Chalukyan temples Astragal *kumuda*, small moulding round top or bottom of columns; torus Astylar, without columns. *Asvathara*, the "horse moulding" in the basement of a temple. *Athisthana*, base Atlantes, *kichaka* bracket, sculptured human figures used in place of columns or pilasters. Atrium, court open to the sky in the centre (Roman). Attic, the upper story of a building above the main cornice: of Athens or Attica

c48.3

c48.4

*Bada*, cubical portion of a temple up to the roof or spire Balcony, outside balustraded platform *Bali-mandapa*, front hall (Chalukyan) Baluster, balustrade, a small pillar or column supporting a handrail. *Bamli*, court or courtyard *Bandhana*, a division or group of mouldings in the wall surface *Baoli* or *Wav*, step-well of Gujarat and western India Baradari, lit "twelve pillared," a pillared portico or pavilion, columned building *Barajhanji*, carving on the doorway of a temple (Orissa). *Barandi*, a division within the *bada* or cubical portion of the temple Barge-board, projecting roof to a gable. Baroque, fantastic, grotesque, a style common in Europe in the first half of the 18th cent Barrel-vault, cylindrical form of roof or ceiling Basalt, dark green or brown igneous rock *Basana*, a division or element in the wall surface Base, *kumbhi*, *athisthana*, lower portion of any structure or feature Basilica, applied to a large hall for the administration of justice. Bas-relief, carving of low projection *Basti*, temple, (Kanarese districts) Bastion, projecting part of a fortification Batter, slope, rake Battlements, indented parapet, *kanjur* Bay, a division or compartment; between pillars, a *chauki* Bazaar, market Bead and Fillet, small cylindrical moulding resembling a string of beads Beam, lintel, long piece of stone or wood supported at both ends. *Bedi*, hall for reading the *beds* or *vedas*. *Begun*, egg plant, hence the Begunia group of temples in Bengal as they are presumed to resemble this fruit. *Beki*, the cylindrical stone below the *amla* in the finial of a building Berm, ledge, or narrow open passage *Bhadra*, flat face or facet of the sikhara (tower) *Bhamli*, cells in the inner face of the containing wall of a temple *Bhoga-mandapa*, the refectory hall of a temple (Orissa) *Bhrama* (Guj) circumambulatory passage (*pradakshina patha*) *Bhumika*, story, stage Boast, boasting, stone projection left for purpose of carving *Bodhika*, capital of a column. *Bodigai*, *pushpabodhica*, projecting bracket or corbel of a Dravidian capital Boss, ornament projecting in form of a large knob. Bracket, projecting ornament or support. *Brahma-kanda*, column, rectangular in section, in the Northern style Bulbous, shaped like a bulb, nearly spherical Bund, dam or embankment. *Burj*, tower Buttress, support built against a wall

c48.5

c48.6

"Cable" moulding, resembling a rope *Campa*, fillet Campaniform, bell-shaped Campanile, Italian for a bell-tower, usually detached. Canopy, covering over a niche Capital, *siras*; upper portion of a column or pilaster. Carralls, small study rooms Caryatid, sculptured human female figures used as columns or supports Casemate, vaulted chamber in thickness of wall. Casement, a form of window. Cathedral, principal church of a Bishop's district (diocese). Causeway, raised road. Cavetto, simple concave moulding. Ceiling, covering surface under roof.

c48.7

C—(*contd.*)

c48.8

*Cell*, *kulika*. *Cella*, small chamber, compartment for the image of symbol *Chaitya*, originally a tumulus (*chita*), but subsequently a sanctuary of any kind ; the Buddhist temple. *Chakra*, Sacred Wheel of the Law (Buddhist) : also discus of Vishnu *Chamfer*, bevel or oblique surface, produced by cutting away a corner. *Chandrasila*, moon-stone, the semi-circular doorstep before a shrine *Chankrama*, place of the promenade of the Buddha at Budh Gaya *Chapel Royal*, church in connection with a royal palace. *Chaplet*, wreath or necklace *Char rasta*, junction of four roads . central place of a town. *Chauki*, bay between pillars : also entrance to a porch. *Chaultri*, pillared hall attached to outside of Dravidian temple *Chaumukh*, four images placed back to back, with the four faces looking towards the four cardinal points. *Chauri*, fly-whisk, symbol of royalty. *Chavada*, pavilion (western India). *Chhatra*, honorific umbrella ; a pavilion (Buddhist). *Chhatravali*, triple umbrella (Buddhist). *Chhatrayashti*, the staff or rod of the honorific umbrella. *Chunam*, lime, also plaster or stucco *Citadel*, fortress, especially guarding or dominating a city. *Classical*, of the first class of the standard of the ancient Greeks and Romans : style of antiquity. *Clerestory*, upper division of the walls of a building from which light was obtained *Cloister*, covered corridors, or passages usually surrounding an open square *Coffer*, sunk panel in a ceiling. *Colonnade*, series of columns *Column*, vertical support, pillar. *Coping*, *ushnisha*, capping or covering to a wall. *Corbel*, blocks of stone projecting from a wall or pier . brackets. *Core*, inner construction of a wall, or other architectural feature. *Corinthian* order, the most ornate of the Greek orders of architecture. *Cornice*, any crowning portion or projection. *Corridor*, passage in a building. *Cramp*, metal bar for holding masonry. *Cruciform*, in the form of a cross. *Crutch*, pillar or support surmounted by crosspiece. *Cupola*, *sringa*, spherical roof. *Cushion-member*, a form of capital in the shape of a cushion, generally found in the rock architecture *Cyma*, moulding in an outline of two curves : cyma recta, the concave curve surmounts the convex . cyma reversa, the convex surmounts the concave.

c48.9

c48.10

*Dado*, portion of a pedestal between its base and cornice , also applied to the lower portions of walls. *Dagoba*, stupa, (Sinhalese) *Dais*, raised platform. *Dali*, scroll work. *Daric*, wood, woodwork. *Darwaza*, door. *Decorated*, the second of the three divisions of English Gothic architecture, evolved during the fourteenth century. *Devagosta*, niche. *Devayatana*, house of gods. *Dewl*, *deul*, in Bengal and Orissa generic name for a temple as a whole, but it is also used to signify the sanctuary only, such as the cella and its tower, the *vimana* *Dharmachakra*, Wheel of the Law (Buddhist) *Dharmsala*, hostel, Hindu caravansarai. *Dhvajastambham*, lofty pillar in front of temple *Diaper*, small floral pattern repeated continuously over a wall surface. *Dikpala*, guardian of one of the cardinal points. *Dipdan*, lamp pillar. *Dipmala*, high tower or pillar for festival light *Distyle in antis*, term for a facade having two columns between pilasters or antes *Dola*, swing *Doric* Order, first and simplest order of Grecian architecture *Dormer*, window in a sloping roof *Dormitory*, sleeping room with several beds or cubicles *Dry masonry*, stones laid without mortar or any adhesive. *Durbar*, Indian court or levee *Dvarpala*, doorkeeper *Dwarf pillars*, *anghri*

c48.11

c48.12

*Early English*, first of the three divisions of Gothic architecture in England, evolved during the thirteenth century. *Eaves*, *chajja*, lower portion of a roof projecting beyond the face of the wall. *Echinus*, evolo member of the Greek Doric capital, also a somewhat similar feature in the Ionic capital. *Enceinte*, enclosure *Entablature*, upper portion of a structure supported by a colonnade *Entasis*, slight convex curvature of the shaft of a column thus preventing a concave appearance

c48.13

c48.14

*Facade*, front view or elevation *Faience*, earthenware, porcelain *Fan-light*, fan-shaped window over door. *Fenestration*, with windows or openings *Filigree*, fine ornamental work . delicate tracery "Filling," the repeating pattern on the largest or central space of a wall *Finial*, finishing portion of a pinnacle *Flamboyant*, florid, showy style *Flange*, projecting flat, rim, collar or rib. *Fleche*, slender spire *Flexured*, curved or bent *Fluting* vertical channelling on the shaft of a column *Forum*, public place, place of assembly, especially at Rome *Fret*, fretwork, ornamental pattern usually carved and perforated *Frieze*, upper border : middle division of entablature.

c48.15

c48.16

*Gable*, gable-end, triangular portion of roof *Gallery*, passage common to rooms in an upper story. *Galli*, small street or lane *Gambhara*, (Jain) sanctuary cell *Gana*, child figures in ornament, urchins *Gandharvas*, celestial musicians of Indra *Garasrnukha*, same as *kirtimukha*, a grotesque mask used in ornamentation. *Garaspatli*, a particular string-course or moulding in the basement of temples decorated with the *garasmukha* *Garbha-griha*, adytum, shrine, the most sacred part of a temple *Garbha-mudra*, carved lotus on the topmost course of corbels of the *rakha* (curvilinear portion). *Gargoyle*, projecting water-spout in Gothic architecture *Garth*, small garden within cloisters *Garuda*, *vahana* or vehicle (riding bird) of Vishnu *Govaksha*, small ornamental niches on lowest turrets *Gajaprishthakriti*, shaped like an elephant's back, whale-backed *Gelbat*, carving around a doorway. *Ghadi*, upper part of the *kalasa*, or vase member of the capital *Ghanta*, bell. *Ghat*, platform or steps at edge of water *Ghatapallava*, "vase and foliage" pillar *Girder*, beam for support *Gokhala* (Jain) niche *Gopuram*, monumental gateway *Gothic*, pointed arched style prevalent in Western Europe during the 12th to the 16th centuries *Grille*, grating, latticed screen *Guda mandapa*, closed hall in front of a door, vestibule. *Guldasta*, pinnacle *Gumpha*, monastery.

c48.17

c48.18

Half-timbered construction, building formed of a wooden frame-work with the interstices filled with brick or plaster Hammer-beam roof, late Gothic form of wooden roof without a direct tie *Hamsa*, goose *Harmika*, the finial of a stupa in the form of a pedestal in which the shaft of the honorific umbrella was set Headers and stretchers, bricks bounded with their short or long faces placed alternately Hellenic, ancient Greek *Hemadpanti*, name given to a type of Deccani temple supposed to have been introduced or designed by Hemadpant, minister of the Yadava king of Devagiri in the 13th century *Hinayana*, primitive Buddhism, an earlier form of this great-religious movement, as distinct from the later, or Mahayana Hippogryph, fabulous griffin-like creature with body of horse. *Hira*, bead moulding *Hira*, *grihas*, corbels. Honeysuckle and palmette, border in Grecian art consisting of these decorative elements. *Hti*, finial (Burmese). Hypostyle, pillared hall.

c48.19

c48.20

Icon, image, statue Iconography, illustration of subject by drawings or figures *Idaie*, flower-shaped member in a Dravidian capital In antis, within or between antae or side walls Ionic, second order of Grecian architecture. *Ishtaka*, brick, brickwork

c48.21

c48.22

*Jaga mohan*, audience hall or ante-room, compartment of an Orissan temple fronting the sanctuary *Jagati*, railed parapet *Jakanacharya*, mythical architect or builder of temples in Southern India *Jali*, literally "net," any lattice or perforated pattern Jamb, sides of the openings of doors and windows *Jangha*, applies to the broad band of sculpture towards the middle of the temple wall (exterior); sometimes called *panchakama* *Jatakas*, stories of the Buddha's former births. *Jaya Stambha*, Tower of Victory *Jhappa-sinha*, rampant lion motif. *Jina*, *Jaina*, Tirthankara, or religious reformer of the Jains

c48.23

c48.24

*Kailasa*, Shiva's Heaven. *Kakshasana*, sloping seat-back of stone *Kalan*, temple tower (Cham) *Kalasa*, vase, an ornamental pot found in finials and capitals *Kalasa* and *amla*, "vase and melon" capital *Kalyana mandapa*, "hall of marriage" in temples of Southern India; pavillion where the marriage of the deity is celebrated annually *Kanti*, in Orissan temples the recess between a bracket or cornice Keel, like the keel of a ship. *Khunta-ra-mandir*, (Jain) small subsidiary shrine *Kirtimukha*, "face of fame," an ornamental mask of great antiquity in Indian art. *Kirti-stambha*, "pillar of fame," free standing pillar in front of temple *Konakapaga*, the pilaster or projection on the angle of a temple. *Kottara*, temple granary *Kudu*, antefix, foliated arch on Dravidian temples, ornamental motif derived from the Buddhist chaitya arch *Kumbha*, a motif resembling a vase *Kumbha pancharam*, recessed pilasters *Kumuda*, astragal or torus moulding

c48.25

c48.26

Labyrinth, complicated irregular structure of many intricate passages: maze. Laminated arch, formed by layers as of thin wood. *Lat* or *stambha*, pillar. Laterite, ferruginous rock Latin Cross, cross with upright longer than arms Lattice, screen of cross laths. perforated structure Leogryph, *vyali*, lion-griffin. Lintel, beam, the timber or stone covering an opening Loggia, a gallery open to the air, verandah Lunette, crescent shape; semicircular space or opening

c48.27

c48.28

Machicolation, parapet of fortress with opening for dropping missiles *Madapalli*, cooking room, kitchen *Madar* (Jain) large subsidiary shrine *Mahabharata*, great Sanskrit Epic of India *Mahadvara*, outer gate surmounted by a lofty superstructure, (Chalukyan) *Maha Govinda*, in Buddhist writings the name of an architect who built several important cities and fortresses *Mahall*, palace. *Maha-mandapam*, large enclosed hall in front of main shrine also transepts *Mahayana*, later development of Buddhism *Makara*, crocodile-shaped creature presumed to symbolize the river Ganges. Malleable, adaptable, pliable, can be hammered or pressed into shape. *Manasara*, ancient Indian architectural treatise *Manastambha*, free-standing pillar in front of temple *Mandapa*, *mandapam*, large open hall *Mandir*, temple *Mandovara*, central and principal space in the outer wall of a Gujarati temple *Mashrabiya*, lattice-work formed of small pieces of wood jointed together. *Matha*, monastery or convent Mausoleum, large tomb building. *Medhi*, terrace Megalithic, structure in which there is a marked use of large stones Merlon, part of embattled parapet between two embrasures. *Meroes*, pagoda (Bali) Moat, deep wide ditch surrounding a fort Modillions, projecting brackets in the classical orders Monobloc, single piece of concrete composition Monolith, single block of stone shaped into a pillar or monument. Monoptoral, circular type of temple Mortar, mixture of lime, sand, and water for joining stone or bricks. Mortice, hole cut to receive a projection especially a tenon Moulding, the contour given to projecting members *Mudra*, language of the hands and fingers *Mukka-mandapam*, front hall or colonnade in front of main shrine. Mullion, upright members used to divide openings into smaller spaces Mural, wall, wall decoration

c48.29

c48.30

*Nagara*, city or capital (*Sanskrit*). *Nal*, staircase, flight of steps *Nal mandapa*, porch over a staircase *Nandi Mandapa*, portico or pavilion erected over the sacred bull (*nandi*) Naos, sanctuary cell or principal chamber. *Nat-mandir*, dancing hall, usually the middle structure in an Orissan temple. *Navagraha*, nine planets, represented usually on the lintel or architrave of the front door of a temple. *Navaranga*, middle or central hall of temple *Navaratha deul*, a structure showing nine pilasters on its facade. Nave, the central or main compartment of a building Neck-moulding, *padma-bhandam* Niche, recess in wall for the reception of a statue or ornament. Nook-shaft, detached pillar in a recess of a doorway, opening, or pier *Nritya sala*, dancing hall of temple.

c48.31

c48.32

Obelisk, tapering and usually monolithic shaft of stone with pyramidal apex Ogee, a form of moulding or arch, the curves of which resemble the cyma reversa (q v.) Opisthodomos, in Greek architecture an open vestibule within the portico Order, in architecture signifies a column with its base, shaft and capital, and the entablature which it supports Oriel, projecting window. Oversailing, system of construction in domes or arches where the course of bricks or stones projects over the course below Ovoid, oval with one end more pointed Ovolo, convex moulding

c48.33

c48.34

*Pada*, foot or base *Pada-vinyasa*, ground plan *Padma*, lotus, moulding having the curves of the lotus petal, cyma reversa or recta *Padmabhandam*, neck moulding *Padmam*, pedestal *Padmasana*, lotus throne *Paga*, projecting pilaster-like surface of an Orissan temple (exterior) Pagoda, tall structure in several stories *Paksala*, kitchen *Palagai*, square member forming upper portion of Dravidian capital, abacus Palimpsest, an inscription or manuscript over which another has been subsequently written *Pancharam*, attic or superstructure, also pavilion *Pancharatha deul*, structure having five pilasters on its facade Panchayatana, temple consisting of five shrines in a group Panel, recessed compartment in a wall, etc *Pansala*, cell Parapet, upper portion of a wall above the roof *Parastara*, entablature *Parichakra*, half medallions on the uprights of a Buddhist railing Parterre, level space in a garden occupied by flower-beds Parthenon, Greek temple at Athens, ideal of classic architecture Parvis, priests' chamber. *Pata*, lintel or beam Patina, green film that covers materials exposed to the air. Patio, open court of a Spanish dwelling Pavilion, *chavada*, *chabutri* Pediment, triangular termination of the roof in a classic temple Peripetral, surrounded by a range of columns Peristyle, range of columns surrounding a court or temple Picture-gallery, *chitragara* *Pida*, *pitha*, basement Pier, supporting mass other than a column Pilaster, square pillar projecting from a wall Pillar, *khumbhi* *Pinjra*, lattice work Pinnacle, *guldasta*, small turret-like termination *Pitha*, base, pedestal *Piu-lu*, torana, or gateway of the Chinese Plan, representation of a building showing the general distribution of its parts in horizontal section Plastic, modelled or moulded Plateresque, plateresco, over-florid ornamentation in the Spanish Renaissance style, resembling intricate silver-work Plinth, (*pitha*) lower portion, or base, of a building or column Podium, stone bench; low pedestal wall *Pokana*, bathing tank (Ceylon) Polychromatic, many-coloured Porch, structure in front of doorway Portal, doorway. Portico, space enclosed within columns *Pra*, stupa (Siam) *Pradakshina patha*, *vedika*, processional passage or ambulatory. *Prakaram*, open courtyard *Prasada*, palace, also shrine *Prastara*, entablature Pronaos, porch, part of a classic temple in front of the naos sometimes portico Propylaeum, entrance gate or vestibule Pteroma, space between the wall and columns of a temple *Purna kalasa*, vase of plenty, "pot and foliage" capital in style of northern India *Pushkarani*, sacred pool or tank *Pushpabandha*, *pushpa bodhica*, projecting bracket or corbel of a Dravidian capital Pylon, propylon, tall monumental gateway Pyramidal, including to an apex a pyramid

c48.35

c48.36

Quadrangle, four-sided figure or court Quattro-cento, fifteenth century as period in Italian art Quoin, corner stones at the angles angle of a building

c48.37

c48.38

*Raha paga*, central projection or pilaster *Rakshasas*, earth spirits *Ramayana*, Sanskrit epic poem of great antiquity Rampart, broad-topped defensive mound or structure Random rubble, masonry formed of stones of irregular size and shape *Ranga mandapa*, painted hall or theatre *Ratha*, lit a car, car used in the temple ceremonies of southern India, also applied incorrectly to the monolithic shrines of the Seven Pagodas, Mamallapuram Refectory, dining hall in a monastery or college *Rekha*, curvilinear portion of a spire or *sikhara* *Rekha deul*, a towered sanctuary (Orissan) Reliquary, receptacle for relics Renaissance, revival of art and letters in Europe under the influence of classical models in 14th and 16th centuries Rib, projecting band on a ceiling or vault Ridge, highest point of a roof, running from end to end Rococo, style with debased Renaissance features Roll moulding, also called scroll moulding from its resemblance to a scroll of paper Rood-loft, raised gallery in front of the chancel of a church or cathedral Rood-screen, framing separating the chancel from the rest of the building Rosette, rose-shaped ornament Rose window or wheel window, circular window with millions converging like the spokes of a wheel Rotunda, building of circular ground plan, circular hall or room *Rudra Kanda*, sixteen-sided pillar Runnel, small hollow Rustication, method of forming stonework with recessed joints

c48.39

c48.40

*Sabha mandapa* or *chavadi*, assembly hall *Sal*, hall *Salunkha*, alter. Sanctum, holiest portion of a temple, inner sanctuary, *garbha griha* *Sangarama*, monastery *Sankha*, a shell, emblem of the god Vishnu *Santhagara*, mote, moot or meeting hall *Saptaratha deul*, structure with seven pilasters on its facade *Sarai*, caravansarai, halting place Sarsen, large sandstone block as at Stonehenge Schist, type of rock, metamorphic, and fissile (split) in character; dark slate coloured *Seni*, guilds Seljuks, Turkish Islamic dynasty of western Asia, in the 11th, 12th & 13th cents *Sesha*, serpent deity Shaft, portion of a column between base and capital *Sikhara*, spire or tower Shrine, sanctuary, most sacred portion of a temple Sill, shelf or slab in front of window *Silpa sastra*, ancient Indian treatise on building construction and allied arts

c48.41

S—(Contd.)

c48.42

*Śilpi laksmana*, architect *Siṅha*, lion. *Siṅhasana*, lion throne, throne for a statue of the Buddha, usually supported on figures of lions *Siṅha stambha*, lion pillar *Śiras*, capital of a pillar *Śiva kanda*, pentagonal pillar *Skanda kanda*, hexagonal pillar Soffit, underside of any architectural member *Soma sutra*, spout to carry away oblations in the shrine of a temple *Sopana*, flight of steps, stairs *Śrīdhara*, pillar with octagonal shaft and square base *Śriṅga*, quarter sikhara like a turret attached to the main sikhara Staggered, not opposite, not in line *Stambha*, column, pillar (in Gujarati, *tekana*). Steeple, spire, *sikhara*, lofty structure above a church. Stele, upright slab or pillar sometimes inscribed as a gravestone Stellate, arranged like a star, radiating Stencil, pattern inscribed or painted by means of a cut plate Stereobate, solid platform *Sthapti*, master craftsman Stockade, line of posts as a fence or barrier Story, *bhumikha*, space between two adjacent floors String-course, a horizontal moulding often under a parapet Strut, wood, stone or iron set up to bear weight or pressure; a brace Stucco, kind of plaster or cement for coating surfaces Stupa, originally a funeral mound or tumulus, but erected by the Buddhists either to enshrine a relic or to commemorate some sacred site. Stylobate, the base or sub-structure on which a colonnade is placed. *Suci*, cross bars in a Buddhist railing *Sukhanasi* (Chalukyan) temple vestibule Sun window, chaitya window, large arched opening in the facade of a chaitya hall or Buddhist temple. Supercolumniation, one row of pilasters or pillars in a story above another. *Suraj-mukhi*, "sun-face", a symbolic decorative element *Surya*, the sun god.

c48.43

c48.44

Tabernacle, small movable sanctuary, also canopied stall. *Tadi*, a kind of necking in a Dravidian capital *Tala*, story *Talapattana*, pavement *Tala prishtha*, lower of the two tiers of a plinth *Tandava*, dance of Śiva Temenos, sacred precincts of a temple or sanctuary Tempera, distemper; method of mural painting by means of a "body," such as white pigment *Thakur bari*, sanctuary (Bengal) *Tirthankara*, Jain religious reformer Titanic, gigantic, superhuman *Tol* quarter or ward of a town (Nepal) Topiary, art of clipping shrubs into ornamental shapes. *Torana*, gateway of Indian design *Torii*, gateway of a Japanese temple Torus, convex moulding chiefly used in pillar bases Tower, *sikhara* Trabeate, use of beams in construction as distinct from arches Tracery, ornamental perforated pattern Transept, cross or transverse compartments of a building Transom, horizontal divisions or cross-bars to windows Trefoil, arranged in three lobes Triforium, gallery or arcade above the arches of the nave *Trikatachala* (Chalukyan) triple shrine or three-celled temple *Trimurti*, Hindu Triad. *Triptadhara*, short cylindrical member over the amla Triple Umbrella, *chhatravali* (Buddhist) *Triratha deul*, a structure having three pilasters on the facade. *Trisula*, trident, emblem of Śiva Truncated, cut off at top Truss, support for a roof, bridge, etc Tudor Gothic, late perpendicular style which flourished in England from the reign of Henry VII to that of Elizabeth; 16th century. Tumulus, a mound, often funerary, presumed origin of the stupa Turrets, small towers Tympanum, triangular space within the cornices of a pediment

c48.45

c48.46

*Ubapītam*, pedestal *Uda siṅha*, flying lion *Ugrana*, store house (Chalukyan) Umbrella stick, *chhatrayashti* *Upana*, pedestal of a pillar *Upapitha*, pedestal *Urusringa*, half-śikhara like a turret attached to the main *sikhara*, or spire. *Ushnisha*, coping *Uttira*, entablature *Uyyala*, *Unyal mandapam*, (hindola) hall for swinging the deity (Tamil)

c48.47

c48.48

*Vahana mandapa*, (Chalukyan) hall in which the *vahanas* or temple vehicles are stored *Vastu Sastra*, "Rules of Architecture" *Vat*, Buddhist monument (Siamese) Vault, arched covering over any space Vedas, ancient sacred books, the foundation of Hinduism; they give their name to the Vedic Age *Vedi*, alter, also a wall or screen *Vedica*, Buddhist railing Vestibule, ante-room *Vihara*, Buddhist or Jain monastery *Vimana*, towered sanctuary containing the cell in which the deity is enshrined. *Vira ghanta*, sacred bell, a common decorative motif. *Vishana*, horns *Visvakarma*, Lord of the Arts, patron saint of the craftsman Vitruvius, Roman architect, military engineer and writer, in the days of Cæsar and Augustus Volute, scroll or spiral. *Vyali*, leogryph

c48.49

c48.50

Wagon-vault, semi-cylindrical roof like a wagon tilt or cover *Wahalkadas*, decorative projecting shrines on Sinhalese stupas or dagabas Wattle and daub, primitive walling of twigs plastered with mud or clay *Wav* or *Baoli*, step-well in Gujarat and western India Wheel, *chakr*, also discus of Vishnu Wing, sides, the lateral extremities of a building *Wyang*, Javanese theatrical performance

c48.51

c48.52

*Yagasala*, hall where the sacred fire is maintained and worshipped; place of sacrifice *Yaksha*, semi-divine being *Yali*, hippopotamus-like creature in the ornamentation of Chalukyan temples *Yamuna*, Jumna river. *Yashti*, stick, pole or shaft, (Buddhist).

Linked texts (6)

Mānasāra — Sanskrit
Mahābhārata — Vyāsa, Sanskrit
Vālmīkirāmāyaṇa — Vālmīki, Sanskrit
Bada
Gana
Viśvakarmaśilpa — Viśvakarman, Sanskrit