Glossary of Terms

The following is a glossary of terms pertaining to Indian Temples, encountered in various sections of this website. This list is an extensive one and will be updated and expanded on a regular basis.

A-J
K-P
R-Z

Term

Explanation

Raja Gopuram

The main temple tower, and usually the loftiest of all towers in a temple, crowning the main entrance to the temple, in the outermost of enclosures

Rakshasha

Demon

Ratham

Chariot

Rishabam

A bull

Rudrakshamaalai

A roasary neck ornament made of the berry of a particular sacred tree considered to be special in Shiva

Saapa-Vimochanam

Deliverance from a curse

Sadagopam

A small metal head-cover on which Vishnu's feet are engraved and which is placed over the head of worshippers in Vaishnavite temples

Sahasranama Archana

A form of archarana or worship uaually offered to the deity with a recital of 1008 names (see archana, ashtotram, laksharchanai)

Sambandar

Tirugnanasambandar, one of the foremost, as well as the youngest of the 63 Nayanmars; associated closely with Sirkazhi, Tiruvothur and several other shrines.

Sandanakaappu

Smearing the idol with sandal-wood paste

Sarukkam

Chapter

Sayanam

Reclining posture

Sayaratchai

Worship service in the evening

Shankhu

The conch-shell

Simha

Lion- a common vahanam or mount used in temples

Sivacharyas

The priests in temples belonging to the Saivite sect (see also Gurukkal)

Somavaram

Monday

Sthala Puranam

The legend regarding the origin of a sacred place

Sthala Vruksham

The sacred tree connected with the legend of the temple

Sthalam

A sacred centre

Sthupi

Pillar

Sunai

Water-fall

Sundarar

Sundaramoorthy Nayanar, one of the foremost of the 63 Saivite Nayanmar saints, associated closely with Tiruvennainallur and several other shrines.

Swayambu

That which comes of its own accord; that which is untouched by a tool; several of the Shiva Lingams adorning the sancta of temples, are believed to be natural mounds, held sacred for centuries.

Tapas

Penace

Tevara Patasala

A school to teach Tevara hymns of the Nayanmar saints

Tevaram

Collection of the hymns of the foremost of the Saivite Nayanmars, Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar; set to music; these ancient hymns have had a profound influence on the growth of Karnatic Music, and are even now sung in temples as part of worship.

Theertham

Sacred tank of the temple

Theerthavari

A festival during which the deity is immersed in holy water (see Aaraattu)

Theppa Utsavam

Float festival in which festival images of deities are led in procession in a float (Teppam), in the temple tank amidst the chanting of hymns and the playin gof music.

Ther

The temple car or chariot

Thirumanjanam

Ritual bath for the image of a deity (see abhishekam)

Thirunakshathram

One of the 27 asterisms under which a saint or a great person is born

Thiruppavai

A set of 30 verses in Nalayira Prabandham by Sri Andal in praise of Lord Vishnu. These hymns are held in great reverence in South India.

Thiruvadi

Sacred feet of the deity

Thiruvaimozhi

Devotional verses by Saint Nammalvar

Thrishoolam

The sacred trident

Tiruvacakam

Poetic work of Manikkavacakar dedicated to Shiva.

Tiruvempaavai

A composition of 20 hymns by Manikkavacakar - at the grand Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar temple; sung ceremoniously during the winter month of Markazhi

Uchikala Pooja

Mid day worship service

Ugram

Fierce,powerful, angry

Urchavam or Utsavam

Festival

Urdhuva Thandavam

The cosmic dance of Lord Siva with one leg lifted in which He defeated Goddess Kali

Ushadkala Pooja

Early morning worship service

Utharayanam

The Sun's progress - North of Equator (January-June)

Utsava Murthy

An idol taken in procession and worshipped on festival days

Vadakalai

A sect among Vaishnavites

Vahanam

Divine Mount

Vaikanasa Agamam

A Vaishnava Agama

Vamana

Dwarf, the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu

Varaha

A Boar, the third incarnation of Lord Vishnu

Varam

Boon

Vel

A spear or lance of Lord Muruga

Vigraham

Image of a deity

Vimanam

The towered roof of a Sanctum; there are several types of vimanams such as the gajaprishta, ashtanga and sabha vimanams.

Yaga

A special sacrificial ceremony (see homam)

Yagasalai

The place in which a sacrificial ceremony is observed

Yanthra or Peetam

The seat on which the deity is placed

Yugam

An age of the world. There are four Yugasor aeons of time namely Kritha Yuga, Thretha Yuga, Dwapara Yuga and Kali Yuga, each of which runs into several lakhs of years.

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