Glossary Of Terms
This page will give readers of the blog site an explanation of various terms that are peculiar to the Tamil country and Hindu civilization. They will refer to both the Saivite an Vaishnavite traditions of Hinduism in the Tamil country. They will also explain religious,architectural and artistic terms used throughout the blog posts and pages.
A
Abhishekam - அபிசேகம்: This is the ritual of poring various purifying liquids over a Murti or idol of a deity during worship. Various liquids including water, honey and milk are used.
Anthralaya - அந்தராலயம்: Small transitional space or hall between the inner snactum or karuvarai and the arthamanadapam
Arthamandapam - அர்த்தமண்டபம்: It is the hall or pavillion that connects the sanctum with the outer halls. It is usually located between the karuvarai or garbhagriha and the mahamandapam.
Avudayar - ஆவுடையார்: The pedestal on which the idol of a deity is placed. It generally refers to the pedestal of the Sivalingam. It is circular in shape usually but can take other shapes. There is a spout to one side for the liquid abishekam that is ritually poured on the Sivalingam to drain.
B
Balipeetam - பலிபீடம்: The sacrificial altar or pedestal is a feature found in most temple in Tamil Nadu. It is found in the straight line in front of the sanctum and comes next after the kodimaram or flagstaff as you enter the temple
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D
Dharisanam -தரிசனம்: It is the act of seeing or having an audience with the deity while visiting a temple. It is one the primary goals of worshipping a deity wile visiting temples.
Dharshan - தர்ஷன்: It is the act of seeing or having an audience with the deity while visiting a temple. It is one the primary goals of worshipping a deity wile visiting temples. Same as dharisanam.
Divya Desam Temple - திவ்யதேசக்கோயில்: These are the 108 temples praised by the Tamil Alwar saints in the Naalaayira Divya Prabandham from the 6th to the 9th centuries. Divya means divine and desam means place or temple. Of these 105 are on earth. 84 are in Tamil Nadu.
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G
Gopuram - கோபுரம்: The entrance tower in a temple. It can refer to the main entranc twoer, often referred as the rajagopuram or to any one of the other entrance towers. A temple can have many gopurams. They can be siuated over the entrances in all four cardinal directions and between the inner prakarams too.
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K
Karuvarai - கருவறை: It is the innermost sanctum or central shrine in a temple. It is literally the womb of the temple.
Kodimaram - கொடிமரம்: Flagstaff. The towering pole at the front of the temple as soon you enter. It is made of wood and often plated with copper or other metals. It is in straight alignment to the sanctum between the rajagopuram and the balipeetam. A ceremonial flag in honor of the deity is raised on special days,
Koyil or Kovil - கோயில் or கோவில்: Temple in Tamil
Kshetram - க்ஷேத்திரம் or சேத்திரம்: Sacred site or temple. Tamilised sanskrit
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M
Mandapam - மண்டபம் - In a temple it a hall or pavillion where devotees gather, rest or meditate.
Murti - மூர்த்தி The duly consecrated idol or image of a deity, usually a statue made of stone, metal or other material. It is the symbolic icon of the deity in that space.
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Paadal Petra Sthalam - பாடல் பெற்ற தலம்: Temples that have dedicated Pathikams in the Thevaram hymns sung by the Moovar - Thirugnasampanthar, Thirunavukkarasar and Sundaramoorthy Nayanar. Paadal means song. Petra means got. Stlama or thalam means temple
Pathikam - பதிகம்: A song or hymn of ten verses sung about Lord Siva at a temple or a general topic.
Perumal - பெருமாள்: This is another name for Lord Vishnu. Peru means great. Mal is another name for Lord Vishnu.