shikhara
Hindu temple crown
A shikhara is the towering spire that crowns a Hindu temple, rising in a curved or pyramidal form above the inner sanctuary.
The term comes from Sanskrit meaning "mountain peak," and the structure symbolizes the sacred mountain connecting earth to the divine realm.
Shikharas vary by regional style—northern Indian temples typically feature curving, beehive-shaped towers, while southern temples have stepped pyramidal forms called vimanas.
Ornamental religious gateway
- finialDecorative top element
- curvilinearCharacterized by curved lines
- towerTall slender edifice
- superstructureConstruction above the base
masonry · stone · carvings · sculptural · tiered · tapering · corbelled · dome
Movement to higher position
- transcendenceSurpassing usual limits
- cosmicPertaining to the universe
- mountainTall natural landmass
- axisRotation reference line
heaven · divine · spiritual · sacred · verticality · aspiration · metaphor · enlightenment
torana
Ornamental religious gateway
- finialDecorative top element
- curvilinearCharacterized by curved lines
- towerTall slender edifice
superstructure · masonry · stone · carvings · sculptural · tiered · tapering · corbelled · dome · cupola
ascension
Movement to higher position
- transcendenceSurpassing usual limits
- cosmicPertaining to the universe
- mountainTall natural landmass
axis · heaven · divine · spiritual · sacred · verticality · aspiration · metaphor · enlightenment · pinnacle
sanctum
Protected private place
aarti · pilgrimage · worship · devotion · consecrate · shrine · darshan · sacred · ritual · veneration
Dravidian
South Asian language family
- curvilinearCharacterized by curved lines
- beehiveHoneycomb housing structure
- ribbedWith raised parallel lines
- sacred architecturechurch, churches, cathedral, cathedrals, temple
- South Asian artHindu art, Buddhist art, miniature painting, thangka, bronze casting
- temple architecturenave, apse, sanctum, spire, portico
- temple partsnave, sanctum, naos, apse, pillar
- temple sculpturestone carving, relief carving, temple guardian, apsara, lingam
- Jainismahimsa, moksha, right conduct, non-violence, non-attachment