Shikhara

Glossary

A superstructure, tower or spire characteristic of North Indian temple architecture, it usually rises above the innermost sanctuary or the main pillared hall. In South India, however, shikhara refers solely to the topmost part of the superstructure, which is usually a decorated dome. Derived from Sanskrit, the word literally translates to “mountain peak.”

FILED UNDER

Architecture

Shikhara%newline%A superstructure, tower or spire characteristic of North Indian temple architecture, it usually rises above the innermost sanctuary or the main pillared hall. In South India, however, shikhara refers solely to the topmost part of the superstructure, which is usually a decorated dome. Derived from Sanskrit, the word literally translates to "mountain peak."

Chicago	MAP Academy Encyclopedia of Art. “Shikhara”. Accessed April 27, 2024. https://mapacademy.io/glossary/shikhara/
MLA	“Shikhara.” MAP Academy Encyclopedia of Art. https://mapacademy.io/glossary/shikhara/. Accessed 27, April, 2024.
Harvard	MAP Academy Encyclopedia of Art. (2022) Shikhara. [Online]. Available at: https://mapacademy.io/glossary/shikhara/. (Accessed: 27, April, 2024)