India history and geography

Source: Yale Journal of Music & Religion: Ritual Music in Contemporary Brahmanical Tantric Temples of Kerala

Bāhyahāra (बाह्यहार) refers to the “courtyard around the madhyahāra” and represents the fourth of the pañcaprākāras or “five successive enclosures” of certain temples from Kerala sanctioned by the Tantrasamuccaya.—Such temples, alternatively called kṣetras or ambalams, consist of six parts: (1) the shrine, or śrīkōvil, and (2) the pañcaprākāras, the five successive enclosures surrounding it. [...] The bāhyahāra, the fourth enclosure, is the courtyard around the madhyahāra and includes various structures, sub-shrines, and stones (balipīṭhas) installed at cardinal points. The latter represent minor deities in the retinue of the main god of the temple and, at the same time, mark the circumambulatory path. Valiya balikal, the most important of such stones, is a miniature of the śrīkōvil in this enclosure of the temple and is placed in front of the main deity, while the dhvajastambha, is the flagpole.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Hara, Bahya.

Full-text: Valiya-balikal, Dhvajastambha, Tayampaka, Pancavadya, Pancaprakara.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Bahyahara, Bāhyahāra, Bāhya-hāra, Bahya-hara; (plurals include: Bahyaharas, Bāhyahāras, hāras, haras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Kashyapa Shilpa-shastra (study) (by K. Vidyuta)

3. Pañcaprākāra (Five types of Prākāras) < [Chapter 3 - Prākāra Lakṣaṇa]

show preview