torana
Ornate temple entrance
A torana is a ceremonial gateway in Buddhist and Hindu architecture, typically consisting of two posts with one or more crossbars, often elaborately carved with religious imagery.
The most famous examples mark entrances to stupas and temple complexes in South and Southeast Asia: The toranas at Sanchi feature intricate carvings of the Buddha's life.
Sacred devotional place
- templeSacred worship structure
- altarSacred ritual table
- sanctumProtected private place
- pujaHindu worship ritual
deity · pilgrimage · stupa · dharma · blessing · auspicious · darshan · consecration
Point of beginning
- portalImposing entrance or gate
- entrancewayOpening for access
- doorwayPassage into a room
- passageSegment of text
approach · access · opening · ingress · entrance · processional · boundary · transition
Beam over an opening
- pilasterShallow wall-mounted column
- capitalWealth used for investment
- columnVertical structural element
- pedimentTriangular architectural crowning element
keystone · spandrel · impost · architrave · frieze · cornice · entablature · jamb
Shaping by cutting away
- reliefEasing of distress
- sculptureShaped three-dimensional art
- motifRecurring thematic element
- medallionLarge decorative disk pendant
scrollwork · foliage · lotus · figural · decorative · embellishment · iconography · lattice
Formal moving line
- festivalOrganized public celebration
- inaugurationFormal beginning ceremony
- celebrationFestive event marking occasion
- traditionCustom passed through generations
ritual · pageant · ceremony · dedication · veneration · homage · observance · commemoration
shrine
Sacred devotional place
puja · deity · pilgrimage · stupa · dharma · blessing · auspicious · darshan · consecration · divinity
threshold
Point of beginning
- portalImposing entrance or gate
- entrancewayOpening for access
- doorwayPassage into a room
passage · approach · access · opening · ingress · entrance · processional · boundary · transition · crossing
lintel
Beam over an opening
- pilasterShallow wall-mounted column
- capitalWealth used for investment
- columnVertical structural element
pediment · keystone · spandrel · impost · architrave · frieze · cornice · entablature · jamb · post
carving
Shaping by cutting away
medallion · scrollwork · foliage · lotus · figural · decorative · embellishment · iconography · lattice · fretwork
procession
Formal moving line
- festivalOrganized public celebration
- inaugurationFormal beginning ceremony
- celebrationFestive event marking occasion
tradition · ritual · pageant · ceremony · dedication · veneration · homage · observance · commemoration · wedding
- South Asian artHindu art, Buddhist art, miniature painting, thangka, bronze casting
- temple architecturenave, apse, sanctum, spire, portico
- temple sculpturestone carving, relief carving, temple guardian, apsara, lingam
- Hindu templesmandir, temple, shikhara, temple complex, water temple
- Nepalese architecturepagoda, stupa, strut, wood carving, lattice window
- stupassacred relics, dome, spire, pinnacle, finial
toranaenclosure
Confined, bordered space
boundary wall · perimeter fence · fortification · prison gate · exclusion zone