The Hindu Temple v2.c11.s8.1

v2.c11.s8.1

The Āmalaka is the crown of a Nāgara temple. Above the truncated body of its Śikhara it clasps the shaft (veṇu; Pl. I)¹⁶¹ and is surmounted by the finial (stūpikā) with the vase (kalaśa) as its most conspicuous part. The Āmalaka has a cogged rim. Its solid shape is that of a ring stone; it may be compared to an indented wheel, the spokes being shown as ribs of its ring shape (Pl. I). The Āmalaka is not only the crown of the main Śikhara (mūla-śikhara, mūla-mañjarī) of the temple, but also of every Mañjarī or Śṛṅga that leans against, or is arrayed on, its body (Pls. I, II, IV, XLIII, XLV and XLVII). Its shape furthermore is the basis of the finial above the superstructure of the Maṇḍapa (Pl. I); it may moreover, be doubly present (Pls. III, IV) having its larger and main shape surmounted by yet another smaller shape.¹⁶² Where, as in Orissa, etc. the Latā type of the Śikhara is dominant each of its Bhūmis itself terminates in an Āmalaka; carved in the corners it is assimilated in its shape to the square section of the Śikhara and forms an Āmalaka quoin.¹⁶³ There is no Āmalaka on the superstructure of a South Indian Drāviḍa temple. Its position, function and meaning are transferred there to the cupola of the High Temple, the Vimāna or Harmya.¹⁶⁴