Kudu

Built Environments & Structures Architecture

The Tamil term for an arch that is shaped like a horse-shoe. It is also known as the chaitya arch, after the shapes decorating the large façade windows of a chaitya hall (a Buddhist shrine or prayer hall). Also known as gavaksha, gomukha and chandrashala, it is a common motif in Hindu, Buddhist and Jaina temple architecture.

More Definitions

Doric Order

Originating in western Greece, it is oldest of the three orders of the classical architecture of ancient Greece, along with…

Mihrab

A niche in the wall of a mosque which indicates the qibla (direction of the Kaaba in Mecca) and is…

pediment

Triangular gable-like structure surmounting the end of a portico or doorway at the entrance of buildings, especially religious or other…

Monolith

A structure that is excavated or carved out of a single block of rock. Monoliths are usually not moved from…

Chitrashala

A painted room in the form of a gallery commissioned by kings, nobles and merchants. The chitrashala in Bundi Palace,…

Agastya Teertha

A manmade lake in the vicinity of the Badami Cave Temples, it constructed during the reign of the Early Western…

Ananda Nilayam

The name of the vimana (the sanctum sanctorum and the tower over it) of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Andhra…

Architrave

A beam, window or door frame that rises above the stamba or column to provide additional support to the structure.…