sikhara: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical / Academic
Quick answer
What does “sikhara” mean?
The tall, curvilinear spire or tower rising above the sanctum of a Hindu temple, particularly in northern Indian temple architecture.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The tall, curvilinear spire or tower rising above the sanctum of a Hindu temple, particularly in northern Indian temple architecture.
In broader architectural discourse, 'sikhara' can refer to the distinctive tower-like superstructure found atop the main shrine of Hindu temples, often characterized by its convex curvature and intricate vertical bands. It is a key element in the Nagara (North Indian) style of temple architecture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage, spelling, or pronunciation. Both varieties use the term identically within its specialised context.
Connotations
Associated with academic descriptions of Indian art, architecture, and cultural heritage in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in both British and American English, confined to specialist literature.
Grammar
How to Use “sikhara” in a Sentence
The [ADJECTIVE] sikhara [VERB] above the sanctum.The temple is crowned by a [ADJECTIVE] sikhara.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in art history, architecture, and religious studies papers discussing Hindu temple design.
Everyday
Extremely unlikely to be encountered or used.
Technical
The primary context. Used in architectural descriptions, heritage conservation reports, and archaeological surveys of Indian sites.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sikhara”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sikhara”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sikhara”
- Misspelling as 'shikhara' (an alternate transliteration) or 'sikara'.
- Mispronouncing the final 'a' as in 'car' (/kɑːr/); it should be a schwa (/ə/).
- Using it as a general term for any tower, rather than the specific North Indian Hindu temple spire.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is a term from Hindu temple architecture. The words are etymologically distinct ('sikhara' from Sanskrit for 'mountain peak', 'Sikh' from Sanskrit 'shishya' meaning 'disciple').
No. It is specific to the form and religious symbolism of the Hindu temple spire. A mosque's tower is correctly called a minaret.
A 'sikhara' is the curvilinear, spire-like tower of North Indian (Nagara) temples. A 'vimana' is the often pyramidal, stepped tower of South Indian (Dravida) temples. Both are superstructures over the sanctum.
Pronounce it as si-KHA-ra. The stress is on the second syllable. The 'kh' is an aspirated 'k' sound (like in 'kite'), not a 'ch' or 'sh' sound. The final 'a' is a short, neutral vowel (schwa).
The tall, curvilinear spire or tower rising above the sanctum of a Hindu temple, particularly in northern Indian temple architecture.
Sikhara is usually technical / academic in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SEE the KARA (crown)' – the sikhara is the crown you see on top of a temple.
Conceptual Metaphor
A sikhara is often metaphorically described as a mountain peak (Mount Meru, the axis of the world) or a stairway to heaven.
Practice
Quiz
In which architectural tradition is a 'sikhara' a defining element?