Brhadishvara Temple

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Structure

Vimana

Stupi (Finial)

Also called Kalaśa, the Stūpī has three main parts, the inverted lotus called Mahāpadma. This is topped by a globular part and further topped by a lotus bud like form. The top most element of the tower ends in a dot which is called “bindu”. It is considered the primordial bindu, which is the beginning of form. The supreme power of Divinity which is beyond space & form, like the vast expansive sky, descends to the earth through this bindu, according to Āgamas.

Shikhara (Peak)

It is the head of the tower resembling the peak of a mountain and so it is called śikhara. The shape of the śikhara varies, as square, octagonal, circular, house shoe, etc. Depending on the shape of the śikhara, the temple towers are classified as Nagara Vesara, gaja preshtam sala or Dravidam. The Tanjavur Vimāna is brought under Dravida class. The śikhara is the fifth element of the temple aṅga.

Griva (Neck)

To break the monotony of the long tapering tower, a small portion at the top beneath the śikhara, looks like the neck of a human being. It is called grīvā which forms the fourth part of the Aṅga of the temple.

Talas (Storeys)

The tower rises in several tiers called Bhūmi or tala. A single storeyed vimāna, is called Ekatala Vimāna, a two storeyed tower called Dvitala Vimāna and a three storeyed called Tritala Vimāna and so on. As in the case of Tanjavur Vimāna, the tower may be sixteen storeyed, called Śoḍasatala Vimāna.

Bhitti (Wall)

The Bhitti is the main wall that rises immediately above the pīṭha, from which koṣṭhas, pañjaras, pilasters project outside. The projections simulate miniature temples in square and rectangular shrines. These house a deity, appropriate to the directions and following Āgamic prescription. The main wall may be a single wall or may consist of two walls that is an outer and an inner wall separated by an intermediate space.

Kumbha Pañjara (vase and nest)

Kumbha Pañjara is an architectural embellishment on the main wall, in between the koṣṭhas, in the sunken face of the wall. It represents a vase at the bottom, a pilaster, and an ornamental pañjara, with overflowing creepers on either side. As they are placed in between koṣṭhas, through which rain water is drained out, the kumbha-vase at its base is also called a water reservoir. On its base, trees, creepers, housing birds, animals, monkeys, sages, and other gaṇas are seen.

Prastara (Cornice)

Prastara is the ceiling covering the wall, with the edges projecting out of the wall, to drain the rain water away from the wall. The cornice has nest like embellishment, where the birds can perch. There is a cave like portrayal, simulating a chaitiya window. The prastara is the third aṅga of the architectural parts.

Makara Toraṇa (Arch)

The Makara toraṇa above the koṣṭha, simulates an entrance arch, in front of a miniature shrine. The arch issues from either side from the month of crocodiles and hence they are called Makara Toraṇa.

Koṣṭhas (Niches)

It is a niche projecting from the main wall, simulating a miniature sanctum, in which either the manifestation of the main deity or a secondary deity is enshrined. The koṣṭha, with its base, and the makara toraṇa above looks like a miniature temple.

Adhiṣṭhāna (Base)

Adhiṣṭhāna or Pīṭha is the solid base on which the entire structure stands. The entire height of the Adhiṣṭhāna carry a number of mouldings, depending upon which they can be classified as Pādabandha, Pratibandha and so on. The mouldings are called paṭa, jagatī, kumuda, paṭṭikā or prati. The measurements of the mouldings are usually in proportion to the overall measurements of the building. In some bases are carved, the figure of leogriffs, either with or without a rider. These represent some concepts like Dharma, Adharma, Jñāna and Vairāgya.

Larger temples introduce a sub-base or socle called upa-pīṭha, to raise the height of the temple or for improved protection and aesthetics. The upa-pīṭhas are generally plain with pilasters at the ends.