Glossary

Simplified schema of a Hindu temple

In design/plan of a temple, several parts of Temple architecture are considered, most common amongst

these are:

Jagati

Jagati is a term used to refer a raised surface, platform or terrace upon which the temple is placed.

Antarala

Antrala is a small antichamber or foyer between the Garbh Griha / garbha graha (shrine) and the

mandapa, more typical of north Indian temples

Mandap

Mandapa or Mandapam ( in Hindi/Sanskrit, also spelled mantapa or mandapam) is a term to

refer to Plillared outdoor hall or Pavillionfor public rituals.

Ardha Mandapam — intermediary space between the temple exterior and the Garbh Griha (sanctum

sanctorum) or the other mandapas of the temple

Asthana Mandapam — assembly hall

Kalyana Mandapam — dedicated to ritual marriage celebration of the Lord with Goddess

Maha Mandapam — (Maha=big) When there are several mandapas in the temple, it is the biggest

and the tallest. It is used for conducting religious discourses.

Nandi Mandapam (or Nandi mandir) - In the Shiva temples, pavilion with a statue of the sacred

bull Nandi, looking at the statue or the lingam of Shiva.

Sreekovil or Garbhagriha

Sreekovil or Grabh Griha the part in which the idol of the deity in a Hindu Temple is installed

i.e.Sanctum sanctorum. The area around is referred as to theChuttapalam, which generally includes other

deities and the main boundary wall of the temple. Typically there is also a Pradikshna area in the

Sreekovil and one outside, where devotees can take Pradakshinas.

Śikhara or Vimanam

Shikharaor Vimanam literally means "mountain peak", refer to the rising tower over the Sanctum

Sanctorum where the presiding deity is enshrined is the most prominent and visible part of a Hindu

temples.

Amalaka

An Amalkas is a stone disk, often with ridges, that sits on a temple's main tower (Shikhar)

Gopuram

Gopurams are the elaborate gateway-towers of south Indian temples, not to be confused with Shikharas.

Urushringa

An Urushringa is a subsidiary Shikhara, lower and narrower, tied against the main sikhara.

Different styles of architecture

Nagara architecture

Architecture of the Khajuraho temples

Nagara temples have two distinct features :

In plan, the temple is a square with a number of graduated projections in the middle of each side

giving a cruciform shape with a number of re-entrant angles on each side.

In elevation, a Shikhara i.e., tower gradually inclines inwards in a convex curve.

The projections in the plan are also carried upwards to the top of the Sikhara and, thus, there is strong

emphasis on vertical lines in elevation. The Nagara style is widely distributed over a greater part of India,

exhibiting distinct varieties and ramifications in lines of evolution and elaboration according to each

locality. An example of Nagara architecture is the Kendriya Mahadev Temple

Dravidian architecture

Dravida Style Thanjavur temple, Tamil Nadu

Main article: Dravidian Architecture

Dravidian style temples consist almost invariably of the four following parts, differing only according to the

age in which they were executed:

1. The principal part, the temple itself, is called the Vimana (or Vimanam). It is always square in plan

and surmounted by a pyramidal roof of one or more stories; it contains the cell where the image

of the god or his emblem is placed.

2. The porches or Mandapas (or Mantapams), which always cover and precede the door leading to

the cell.

3. Gate-pyramids, Gopurams, which are the principal features in the quadrangular enclosures that

surround the more notable temples.

4. Pillared halls or Chaultris—properly Chawadis -- used for various purposes, and which are the

invariable accompaniments of these temples.

Besides these, a temple always contains temple tanks or wells for water (used for sacred purposes or

the convenience of the priests), dwellings for all grades of the priesthood are attached to it, and other

buildings for state or convenience.

Structure of a typical Drvaidan viman