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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The long central space in a church that accommodates the congregation of worshippers; also called the ‘body’ of the church.…
Sanskrit for 'stool' or 'pedestal', it is the platform on which idols are installed in the garbhagriha or innermost sanctum…
A structure that is excavated or carved out of a single block of rock. Monoliths are usually not moved from…
In Indian temple architecture, it is a style of decorative moulding seen on a tier of the adhisthana, the raised…
In architecture, it is the space between the base and the pedestal of a column. It is also used to…
A layout in traditional Hindu temple architecture in which the central shrine is surrounded by four subsidiary shrines, each at…
A decorative motif similar to a barrel-vaulted roof, with a circular dormer-shaped or horseshoe-shaped arch. It is commonly found in…
An outward square projection from the main shrine of the temple, occuring in a cluster of three. Trirathas are typically…