Tala (Hindu architecture)

In Hindu temple architecture, tala is a tier or storey of a shikhara, vimana, or gopuram. It is an important compositional element, which is especially distinct in the Dravidian architecture.[1][2][3]

A seven-storey vimana

Dravidian vimanas

Vimanas above the sanctum are typically shaped as a four-sided pyramid, consisting of progressively smaller talas. Dravidian vimanas can be classified as one-story (called ekatala), two-story (dvi-tala), three-story (tri-tala), and so on. Usually, vimanas have up to seven stories. However, the tallest gopurams and vimanas, such as that of the Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, may have up to 13 talas.

Importantly, the kuta at the top of a vimana does not count as a separate tala. As a major horizontal division of a temple, in the middle each tala has a wall zone with slender pilasters.[4] The side parts are usually heavily decorated with statues, which may add up to hundreds. Many temples claim that each one of such statues is unique.

Vimanas are divided in two groups: jati vimanas that have up to four talas and mukhya vimanas that have five talas and more.[5][6]

References
  1. Sutherland, A. (31 December 2018). "Vimana Temples - Architectural Marvel Of India". Ancient Pages. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  2. Dhaky, Madhusudan A. (1977). The Indian Temple Forms in Karṇāṭa Inscriptions and Architecture. Abhinav Publications. p. 18. ISBN 9788170170655. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  3. Rajan, K. V. Soundara (1980). Glimpses of Indian Culture: Architecture, art, and religion. Sundeep. p. 63. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  4. Hardy, Adam (1995). Indian Temple Architecture: Form and Transformation : the Karṇāṭa Drāviḍa Tradition, 7th to 13th Centuries. Abhinav Publications. p. 46. ISBN 9788170173120. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  5. Neela, N.; Ambrosia, G. (April 2016). "VIMANA ARCHITECTURE UNDER THE CHOLAS" (PDF). Shanlax International Journal of Arts, Science & Humanities. 3 (4): 57. ISSN 2321-788X. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  6. "Glossary of Technical Terms" (PDF). Retrieved 5 July 2019.


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