In architecture, a wide slab at the top of a load-bearing column, forming the uppermost section of the capital and helping transfer the weight of the supported beam or arch to the column’s shaft. In freestanding columns the abacus may be mounted with decorative or emblematic sculptures. From the Ancient Greek ábax, meaning ‘slab’.
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Meaning ‘heap’ in Sanskrit, stupa refers to a Buddhist structure usually housing buried remains of a deified figure or other sacred relics.…
A fence or defensive wall made of closely packed wooden or iron stakes or tree trunks and typically serves as…
A small antechamber connecting the garbhagriha (inner sanctum) of the temple to its mandapa (pillared hall). It is a feature…
Towering, multi-storeyed gateway characteristic of South Indian Dravida temple architecture. A temple may have several gopurams, or gopuras, punctuating the…
A pillared pavilion or hall found in Dravida temples. Typically the largest mandapa (pavilion) of the temple, the mahamandapa serves…
The name of the vimana (the sanctum sanctorum and the tower over it) of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Andhra…
Bell tower; or the upper part of this or a steeple, which houses bells; or specifically the timber structure by…
In architecture, a recess or space between two vertical supports that is set on a wall without doors or windows.