Common Nouns Lexicon

The gopuram is a richly decorated monumental tower located at the entrance of Hindu temples, characteristic of Dravidian architecture.

Gothic is a medieval architectural style that emerged in France in the 12th century, characterized by pointed arches, flying buttresses, and colorful stained glass windows.

Grauwacke is a type of sandstone frequently used in construction and sculpture, particularly valued for its durability.

The term gumpha refers to a rock-cut cave, often of religious significance, especially in Jain traditions in eastern India.

A gurdwara is a Sikh place of worship where devotees gather to pray and sing hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism.

Gyalpo is a Tibetan term meaning “king” or “sovereign”. It was notably used by the kings of Ladakh, especially the rulers of the Namgyal dynasty of Ladakh.

Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca that every Muslim must undertake at least once in their lifetime, if physically and financially able.

The harmikā–chattrā refers to the architectural ensemble located at the top of a Buddhist stupa, consisting of a square pavilion surmounted by a vertical spire made of superimposed discs. This element plays a symbolic, ritual, and visual role in Buddhist religious architecture.

Havelis are traditional Indian mansions, particularly found in Rajasthan and Gujarat, renowned for their rich architecture and elaborate decorations.

Hieratic script is a simplified form of Egyptian hieroglyphs used for administrative and religious writings on papyrus.