Amalaka in Hindu Temple
The Amalaka (a Sanskrit word) is a key architectural and symbolic feature in Hindu temple architecture, typically crowning the shikhara—the curving superstructure rising above the sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha). It is shaped like a large, fluted, or ribbed stone disc, often notched or segmented, resembling the āmalaki fruit (Phyllanthus emblica), commonly known as Indian gooseberry. From this fruit it draws both its name and stylized design.
.jpg) |
| Double amalaka Khajuraho en.wikipedia.org |
Above image: Double amalaka at the top of the Devi Jagadambi Temple at Khajuraho. image: Marcin Białek ...........
Symbolism and Spiritual Significance
The amalaka is rich in symbolism. It is often interpreted as a stylized lotus, a sacred flower in Hindu tradition representing purity, divine beauty, and transcendence. Alternatively, it is seen as a solar symbol, signifying the sun and by extension the cosmic axis, making it the gateway to the heavenly world. Some interpretations describe it as the circular seat of the deity, marking the divine center of the temple. Symbolically, it acts as a spiritual bridge, connecting the terrestrial base of the temple with the cosmic energies above.
 |
| Amalakas Siddheshwar Mukteshwar Group Temple, Bhubaneswar en.wikipedia.org |
Above image: Amalakas at the Siddheshwar Mukteshwar Group Temple, Bhubaneswar
Another mystical explanation sees the amalaka as a ring of cosmic energy gripping the invisible vertical axis (sushumna) that runs through the temple, from the deity’s image in the sanctum to the kalasha (finial) above, symbolizing the axis mundi—a link between earth and heaven.
.jfif) |
| Amalakas, Lakshamana temple, Sirpur.' .Upload.wikimedUla.org |
Above image: Corner amalakas at the 7th-century Lakshamana temple in brick at Sirpur,Odisha
.jpg) |
| Amalaka in the capital, Bedse caves en.wikipedia.org image: Dharma |
.jpg) |
| amalakas in the capital 17, Pandavleni Caves,en.wikipedia.org |
Above image: Boxed" amalakas in the capitals outside Cave 17, Pandavleni Caves, 2nd-3rd century CE. image: Dharma from Thailand.............
Historical Development
The origins of the amalaka can be traced back to Mauryan times, where similar motifs appeared on column capitals during the reign of Ashoka (3rd century BCE). These early forms evolved over centuries. By the Gupta period (4th–6th centuries CE), the amalaka became a defining feature of Nagara-style temples, especially in central and northern India.
A notable early example is the Dashavatara Temple at Deogarh, dated to around 500 CE, where an amalaka is seen crowning the shikhara. During the post-Gupta period, amalakas became widespread, especially in Khajuraho temples (10th–12th century CE), such as the Devi Jagadambi Temple and Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, where beautifully carved amalakas sit below ornate kalashas. In Uttarakhand, at the Jageshwar group of temples (7th–12th century), amalakas often appear "boxed" or enclosed to support timber roofs—an adaptation to the Himalayan climate.
In the eastern Kalinga style (modern Odisha), the amalaka crowns the rekha deul (curvilinear tower). Prominent examples include the Mukteshwar Temple and Lingaraja Temple in Bhubaneswar. These temples show richly ornamented amalakas with deep grooves and lotus-petal carvings.
Although less common in Dravidian (South Indian) temples, some Deccan examples feature variants of amalakas. The 7th-century Lakshmana Temple at Sirpur in Chhattisgarh has amalakas at the corners of the shikhara, though not at the summit, showing early experimentation.
Detached amalakas are also found in archaeological remains. At the Durga Temple in Aihole (7th century), a large amalaka lies separately, showing the robustness and prominence of these stone structures.
Architectural Integration
Architecturally, the amalaka is monolithic, often carved from a single block of stone. It sits above the shikhara, and is typically topped by a kalasha, a finial pot-like structure symbolizing abundance and divinity. From the kalasha, a temple flag may be suspended, fluttering in the wind, further enhancing the sacred vertical axis of the temple.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amalaka
.jpg&description=Amalaka in Hindu Temple Architecture: Symbolism and Structure){kind=link}