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. |
