shikhara

The shikhara is a central and ornate tower that surmounts the main sanctuary of a Hindu temple, characteristic of the Nagara architectural style.

The shikhara is a major architectural element of Hindu temples, particularly predominant in the Nagara style of northern India. It is a pyramidal or conical tower that crowns the garbhagriha, or main sanctuary, where the deity is enshrined. This structure symbolizes Mount Meru, the axis of the world in Hindu cosmology. Shikharas are often richly decorated with sculptures of deities, floral motifs, and geometric ornaments, reflecting the religious and cultural significance of the temple. They vary in height and complexity, and their distinctive silhouette is a key visual element of Hindu temples.