Kapotabandha

Built Environments & Structures Architecture

In Indian temple architecture, it is a style of decorative moulding seen on a tier of the adhisthana, the raised base on which a temple is built.

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Vedika

Meaning ‘railing’ or ‘raised platform or altar’ in Sanskrit and Pali, vedika refers to the outer railing around a sacred…

Cushion Capital

In architecture, it is a type of crown, which is the top-most part of a column, pillar or pilaster. It…

Antarala

A small antechamber connecting the garbhagriha (inner sanctum) of the temple to its mandapa (pillared hall). It is a feature…

Ardhamandapa

A half-open pillared hall in Hindu temples. The ardhamandapa serves as an open porch at the entrance of the temple…

pitched roof

A roof form featuring one or more inclined surfaces rising to meet at a ridge, point, or wall surface. The…

Garbhagriha

Translating to 'womb chamber' from Sanskrit, it is the innermost sanctuary in Jain, Buddhist and Hindu temples, within which the…

Groyne

A long, rigid hydraulic structure constructed perpendicular to the seashore or riverbank to interrupt flow of water. They are usually…

gopuram

Towering, multi-storeyed gateway characteristic of South Indian Dravida temple architecture. A temple may have several gopurams, or gopuras, punctuating the…