Vyalamala, Vyālamālā, Vyala-mala: 1 definition

Introduction:

Vyalamala means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: Google Books: Indian Temple Architecture: Form and Transformation

Vyālamālā (व्यालमाला).—A type of moulding common to both the prastara (parapet) and adhiṣṭhana (plinth);—The vyālamālā course, sitting above a kapota moulding, represents the edge of a floor or platform, from which the ends of joints protrude. Logically it should correspond to the ends of the floor slab at plinth level, and of the roof slab in a free-standing (anarpita) parapet, but in practice this is not always the case. The origin of the moulding in the carpentry of beams and joints gives it a three-dimensional complexity which makes it stand out against courses of more uniform profile. The ‘joist-ends’ are normally carved into the forms of mythical creatures, most commonly vyālas, which are like horned lions, and makaras, crocodile-headed animals with bushy tails.

Vastushastra book cover
context information

Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

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