Srikara Pillars. Concentric circles. Kalyana Chalukya Pillars or Hoysala Temples

While Dravida temples have many prakaras, these were additions by various dynasties over a period of time. Compared to this, in Kerala temples, by definition, there are five prakaras called pancha prakaras. In smaller temples you may not find pancha prakaras

Dhavajasthambha is an independent unit of the temple. The other components are part of Bhitti

Bhitti is likened to water since it takes several forms and is fluid in nature just like water takes the form of its container.

Temples performed multiple functions and therefore temples hosted a variety of activities like education, art, charity etc. A temple complex was a representation and host for every dimension of the community’s life.

The Tamil Nadu Government has a temple gopura as the official seal. It is understood to be the representation of either the Madurai Meenakshi temple or Srivilliputtur temple.

Kirti Mukha represents one who has eaten his own body. Kirti means popularity. Once a Rakshasa wanted to be the most popular one. He got a blessing from Brahma. He started overpowering everyone and in his greed he started eating his own body with unlimited power. So only the eyes and mouth are shown in the Keerti Mukha. Brahma recreated him eventually. As a sign of warning he granted him a position above all deities. This serves as a metaphor for greed and excessive consumption. It reminds the devotees to give up greed and avarice when visiting a temple.

Shiva responded to Parvati’s request for narrating a story that has never been heard before. The Brihatkatha was a result of this narration of Shiva which ran into 10 lakh verses much of which has been lost now.

Bhitti is a wall like portion of a Vimaana. Prastara is a projection on top of Bhitti. The Bhitti – Prastara pattern repeats in Dravida Vimaana, till Griva.

Utasavas were done with Utsava Murti who is taken out of the temple into the town and to doorstep of devotees. This ensures that common people can also involve themselves in rituals for the deity. Regular and seasonal experiences of humans, like marriage are also offered to the deities

We mimic our daily rituals on the deity. Prabodhana refers to waking up the deity from sleep. Suprabhatha may be performed.

Ratha Karas – People who were employed in the construction of the temple. Temples were also called Rathas

The mahamantapa corresponds to heart. Appropriate since that is where heartfelt performance are offered to the deity

This is a Dravida style temple with a stepped pyramid structure of the Vimaana

UruSikaharas are smaller Sikharas that are placed below and around the Sikhara at varying heights. They sometimes also provide structural strength to the main Sikhara. The Kendriya Mahadeva temple at Khajuraho is an example of a Vimanaa with many urusikharas.