Chaitya: 3 definitions
Introduction:
Chaitya means something in Buddhism, Pali, 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.
Ambiguity: Although Chaitya has separate glossary definitions below, it also represents an alternative spelling of the word Caitya.
Images (photo gallery)
(+20 more images available)
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Wisdom Library: MahābhārataOne of the five large hills protecting the city of Girivraja. Mentioned in the Mahabharata, Second book, Section XXI; The other hills being: Varaha, Vaihara, Vrishava, Rishigiri;

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
In Buddhism
General definition (in Buddhism)
Source: WikiPedia: BuddhismA chaitya is a Buddhist or Jain shrine including a stupa. In modern texts on Indian architecture, the term chaitya griha is often used to denote assembly or prayer hall that houses a stupa. Architecturally they show similarities to Roman design concepts of column and arch.
Source: eBooks@Adelaide: A Record of Buddhistic KingdomsTo the east of the Abhayagiri-vihara there is a hill, with a vihara on it, called the Chaitya, where there may be 2000 monks.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Chaityadru, Chaityadruma, Chaityagni, Chaityagriha, Chaityaka, Chaityamandira, Chaityamukha, Chaityapala, Chaityataru, Chaityavriksha.
Ends with: Gramachaitya, Mahachaitya, Munirajachaitya, Siddhachaitya.
Full-text: Varaha, Vaihara, Vrishava, Rishigiri, Maurya, Satavahana, Stupa, Andhra, Vihara, Angana, Baroda.
Relevant text
Search found 25 books and stories containing Chaitya; (plurals include: Chaityas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Vastu-shastra (1): Canons of Architecture (by D. N. Shukla)
(vi) Rise of Art < [Chapter 4 - An outline History of Hindu Architecture]
(v,3) Vāstu in Buddhist Literature (Jātakas and Pali Canons) < [Chapter 4 - An outline History of Hindu Architecture]
Nagarjunikonda < [April 1955]
Buddhist Vestiges of Andhradesa < [July – September, 1994]
Glimpses of Ancient India < [January – March, 2001]
Amaravati Art in the Context of Andhra Archaeology (by Sreyashi Ray chowdhuri)
Lower Kṛṣṇā Valley (30): Chejarla < [Chapter 2 - Amarāvatī and other Archaeological Sites of Ancient Andhra Pradesh]
Lower Kṛṣṇā Valley (11): Gunṭupalli < [Chapter 2 - Amarāvatī and other Archaeological Sites of Ancient Andhra Pradesh]
Region Beyond The Coastal Lines (5): Vardhamanukota < [Chapter 2 - Amarāvatī and other Archaeological Sites of Ancient Andhra Pradesh]
Stupas in Orissa (Study) (by Meenakshi Chauley)
Stylised Form of the Frames of the Niches < [Chapter 4]
Development of Stupa Architecture in India < [Chapter 3]
During the time of Asoka (third century BCE) < [Chapter 2]
Jainism in Odisha (Orissa) (by Ashis Ranjan Sahoo)
Scheme of Work < [Chapter 1]
Historical Background of Jainism in Odisha < [Chapter 1]
Jain symbols in Art < [Chapter 5]
Buddhist records of the Western world (Xuanzang) (by Samuel Beal)
Chapter 3 - Country of Mo-ho-la-ch’a (Maharashtra) < [Book XI - Twenty-three Countries]