TERM |
MEANING |
| Aum / PraNava | Revered by all religions of Hinduism. This is the primeval sound Om. This mystic sound is so important hat there are few worship without this. The archanas done at the Hindu temples include this for each of the mantra chanted. The holy vedas also start with this. This mantra is one of the renowned mantra formeditation. This sound represent the Supreme Divinity. |
| Aachara | Observance / Discipline |
| Aaru Padai Veedu | The six permanent abodes of Lord Muruga before He vanquished Surapadman as the generalissimo of the divine forces |
| Abhayam | Refuge |
| Abishekam | A holy ritual ablution given to the Deity with oil, milk, scented powder, honey, rose water, ghee, sugar-cane juice etc. |
| Abishekam | Anointment / Holy bathing |
| Adhara | Base |
| Adhvaita | Non-dualism, a Hindu philosophy |
| Adi Sesha | Divine serpent said to have one thousand heads and represented as forming the couch of Lord Vishnu. |
| Agama | Dynamic scripture, Scripture explaining the implementation aspects of spirituality |
| Agamas | Traditional principles governing worship, construction, festivals in temples.The word Agama means tradition |
| Agnikarya | The fire ritual |
| Agya | Chakra mystic centre at the brow junction, sixth centre |
| Agyana | Unwisdom / Ignorance |
| Ahamkara | The "I" feeling, ego |
| Ahimsa | Non-violance |
| Akshara | Single letter of any language |
| Akshata | Rice grains (usuallt in the context of worship or blessing) |
| Alayam | Temple / Kovil / Mandir |
| Alwars | Vaishnavite saints whose hymns in praise of Vishnu constitute the tamil canon - considered to be on par with the Vedas. |
| Amirtham (Amrit) | Nectar of immortality |
| Amman, Ambal | Goddess |
| Anahata | The mystic centre at the heart, fourth centre |
| Ananda | Happiness / Bliss |
| Anava | Ego |
| Anava | Ego |
| Anugrha | Blessing |
| Anumana | Inference |
| Apaurusheya | Not man-made |
| Appar | Tirunavukkarasar, one of the foremost of the 63 Saivite Nayanmar saints; associated closely with Tiruvatikai, Thiruppaatirippuliyur, Tiruvaiyaru and Tiruppugalur |
| Araattu | A kind of holy bath given to the festival images of the deities, when they are immersed in water on the final day of the annual festival in Kerala and in Kanyakumari district of Tamilnadu |
| Aradhana | Worship |
| Aranyaka | Class of religious and philosophical writings (associated with brAhmaNa) |
| Archakar | Priest |
| Archakar | Priest |
| Archana | Devotional worship offered to the deity by the priest with flowers or saffron |
| Archana | Salutation, praise |
| Artha | Wealth |
| Artha Mandapam | An intermediary space between the Sanctum Sanctorum and the exterior of the temple |
| Arthajamam | The last of the daily poojas performed at night |
| Arul | Grace |
| Asana | Sitting posture |
| Ashram | A hermitage or abode of ascetics |
| Ashrama | Hermitage / Stage of life (The four stages are brahmacharya, gArhasthya, vAnaprastha, sanyAsa) |
| Ashtanga | Eight limbs (parts) of human body |
| Ashtothram | A form of Archana worship usually offered to the deity with a recital of 108 names of a deity |
| Asthana Mandapam | Assembly Hall |
| Astothra / Sathanama | Prasing 108 names of the Lord |
| Asura | Demon |
| Atmartha | Spiritual / Self intended |
| Avataram / Avtar | An Incarnation of God |
| Avudaiyar | Gomukhi, the base of the shiva linga (circular or square) facing north regulating the thirtha out |
| Bali Peetham | Altar or the sacrificial stone |
| Bhaga | Part |
| Bhagavan | Glorious / Divine |
| Bhajanai / Bhajan | Group singing of divine songs |
| Bhakta | Devotee |
| Bhaktha / Bhakth | Devotee (The word Bhakti means devotion) |
| Bhakti | Devotion |
| Bhasma | Thiruneer/ Holy Ash / Vibhuthi |
| Bhasya | Commentary / Elucidation |
| Bhattachariar | A Brahmin priest belonging to the Vaishnavite sect who offers poojas in a Vishnu temple |
| Bhoga | Enjoyment |
| Bija | Manthra / Seed |
| Brahma | The deva of creation. One of the trimUrti |
| Brahmana | Supreme Being / Absolute |
| Brahmarandhram | Aperture in the head of the head through which the soul is said to escape on leaving body |
| Buddhi | Intellect |
| Chakram | Discus of Lord Vishnu |
| Chapparam | Chariot |
| Charya | Practice / Observance |
| Chitthu | Consciousness / Perception |
| Dakshinayanam | The sun's progress south of Equator(July-December) |
| Damaru | A musical Instrument like a small drum |
| Darshan, Darisanam | Sight of God or of holy men |
| Dasavatharam | The ten incarnations of Vishnu to punish the wicked |
| Deepa | Light |
| Deepa Aradhanai | A ceremonial waving of lamps - Illuminating the image of a deity with camphor or with a deepam (oil, clarified butter lamps) |
| Deva | Divine / Essentials / Elements |
| Devasthanam | A body administering the affairs of the temple |
| Devaswom | The Keralite name for temples |
| Devi | Divine Goddess |
| Dharana | Contemplation |
| Dharma | Righteousness / Virtue / Law / Duty |
| Dhavaidha | Dualism |
| Dhevaram / Thevaram | The great Tamil hymns sung by saints sambandar, appar & sundarar on Lord shiva, first seven parts of thirumuRai, specifically 4th to 6 th thirumuRai - appar devaram |
| Dhupa | Fragrant smoke / Incense |
| Dhvaja | Flag |
| Dhyana | Meditation |
| Dvadashanta | Mystic place twelve units above the head |
| Dwajasthambam | The flag-mast, usually a pillar fixed outside the main shrine in line with the Sanctum Sanctorum |
| Dwapara Yugam | The third among the four Yugas or aeons of time, the current aeon being Kaliyugam |
| Dwara Palakas | Figures of guards of the deities found on either side of the entrance to the Sanctum Sanctorum |
| Ekathma Vaadha | The philosophy that only one soul exists (in the entire world) |
| Gadha | Club |
| Ganapathi | Ganesh - The chief of the organised forces, Often refers to vignEshwara - the eldest son of Lord shiva |
| Ganga | The river Ganges, the holy river that flows down from himAlayam |
| Garbagriham | The interior of Sanctum Sanctorum |
| Garuda | A mythological bird, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu |
| Gayathri | One of the chandas (meters), a famous mantra |
| Gharbagraha | Sactum sanctorum, the main and core abode in the temple, moolasthAnam |
| Gomuki | AvuDaiyAr, the base of the shiva linga (circular or square) facing north regulating the thIrtha out |
| Gopura | Tower |
| Gopuram | Temple Tower crowning entrances; the foremost of these towes crowning the main entrance is the Raja Gopuram. |
| Grantha | Composition / Book / Script |
| Guna | Characters, the three often referred guNas are satva (peaceful), rajas (fierce) and thamas (dull) |
| Guru | Preceptor, Teacher |
| Guru | Guide / Teacher / Preceptor |
| Guru Puja | The anniversary day of a saint or n^AyanmAr attaining liberation in Lord shiva |
| Gurukkal | A priest belonging to the Saivite sect who offers pooja in aSiva temple; a gurukkal is also known by the name Sivachariar. |
| Gyana | Wisdom |
| Havis | Melted Ghee |
| Holy Ash / bhasma/ vibUti | The three bands one could see on the foreheads of the gods and goddesses. This three bands are worn by the Shaivites and the other religions in that family (shakta, kaumAra, gANApatya). This symbol is called tripunDra (three band). As the God appeared as a Supreme Flame (This need not be confused with agni. agni becomes one of the aspects of God but not the Supreme itself), in the Shaivite religion, (refer to lingam above) naturally Ash becomes the symbol that indicates the association with that param jyoti (Supreme flame). |
| Homam | Sacrificial ritual conducted with an altar of fire, as a part of daily worship, festivals and special occasions. |
| Hundi | A sealed receptacle with a slit at the top in which devotees make offerings to a temple |
| Iravatham | The legendary white elephant of Indra, the King of the Devas |
| Japa | Chanting |
| Jatha | Matted hair |
| Jeer | A spiritual head of Vaishnavites |
| Jeeva | Life |
| Jyothi | Flame |
| Kailasam | Said to be the foremost abode of Shiva; refers to Mount Kailash in the Himalayas. |
| Kalasanthi | The morning pooja or worship service |
| Kali Yuga | The last of the four yugas or aeons of time before Pralaya or Deluge |
| Kalyana Mandapam | A special mandapam dedicated for the ritual celebration of the marriage of the Lord with Goddess |
| Kama | Desire / Lust |
| Kamadhenu | The holy cow with a human face which is believed to fulfil the desires of devotees |
| Karma | Deeds, The effect of deeds, The accumulation of the good, bad or any deeds one (pashu - soul) has done during this and previous births |
| Kattalai | A type of endowment of the devotees for doing periodical poojas or offerings |
| Kavacham | A metalic cover resembling armour |
| Kavadi | A decorated wooden pole with an arch over it carried on shoulders by devotees with offerings such as flowers, milk, rose-water etc., mostly for Lord Muruga with some parade |
| Kireetam | Hear-wear or Crown |
| Kodi Kambam (Dwajastambham in Sanskrit) | The flag-mast, usually a pillar fixed outside the main shrine in line with the Sanctum Sanctorum |
| Koil or Kovil | Temple |
| Kovil | Koil / Temple / Alayam |
| Kritha Yuga | The first of the Chathur or four yugas or aeons of time before Pralaya or the great deluge; the four yugas are Krithayugam, Treta Yugam, Dwapara Yugam and Kaliyugam. |
| Kriya | Action |
| Kshethra | Sacred place of worship |
| Kumara / Subrahmanya / Muruga | The second son of Lord shiva |
| Kumbhabishekam | Purification rites carried out after every renovation or construction in a temple |
| Laksharchanas | Worship with the recital of a lakh of divine names of a deity (see archana, ashtothra) |
| Linga | A symbol that is neither form nor formless used to represent the formless God through a symbol, representation of flame using solid material (The Supreme Flame is Lord Shiva, Who stood as infinite column of flame in front of braHma and viShNu) |
| Lingam | The prime symbol of worship for Shaivites. (In fact the name itself means symbol). This is broad in the middle and conical towards the top. This is the form of flame. In Shaivite philosophy the God is formless. Due to the Grace on the souls for the easy comprehension of the Divine and liberation the God appeared in the form of a Flame. This flame is what is worshiped as lingam in stone and other forms that make the worship easier. This is considered more sacrad than form worship by Shaivites. |
| Maangalyam | A sacred ornament which is worn by married women as an insignia |
| Maanyam | Landed endowments to the temple servants for their services |
| Maavilakku | A form of offering to the deity in wich a wick is burnt in an offering of flour paste |
| Madapalli | Temple-kitchen where the food for daily worship services is prepared |
| Maha Mandapam | A big hall in temples for holding religious discourses |
| Mahabharatha | The Great Hindu epic describing the famous battle of Kurukshethra between the Pandavas and Kauravas |
| Makutam | The crown |
| Manas | Mind |
| Mandapam | A big terraced hall |
| Mangala Sasanam | Poems composed by Alwars in parise of Vishnu - constituting the Naalayira Divya Prabandam. (See Alwars) |
| Manikkavacakar | One of the foremost Saivite Saints who is credited with volumes of poetry, the foremost of which is Tiruvacakam; Tiruvadavoor and Uttirakosamangai in the Pandya Kingdom are 2 of the temples associated with him. |
| Manipurakam | Mystic chakra at naval |
| Manthra | Powerful word |
| Mantras | The sacred hymns in sanskrit recited during worship services |
| Maya | Illusion |
| Moksha | Liberation |
| Moola Vigraham | The presiding deity |
| Mooladhara | Root-support, the first mystic center (chakra) on the Kundalini nadi |
| Moolasthana | Sactum sanctorum, the main and core abode in the temple, garbhagruham |
| Moolasthanam | Sanctum Sanctorum |
| Mudhra | Gesture |
| Munivar | Saint |
| Murthi | Manifestation / Embodiment / Statue |
| Mutt | A religious institution |
| Nagam | Serpent |
| Naivedhyam | Offering to the God |
| Namam | The Vaishnavite mark of three vertical stripes on the forehead |
| Namaskara | Salutation, prostrating down |
| Nambudiris | A class of Brahmins belonging to the Kerala State |
| Nandhi | This is the Holy Bull - the vehicle and the flag of Lord Shiva. So this is the emblem of Shaivites. On the wall of the Shaivite temples, in the flags, in the message headers and many other articles this emblem could be found. The ancience of this emblem will be very evident from the fact that this emblem has been found in the excavations of harappa mahanjadaro (the so-called Indus valley civilisation sites). According to Shaivite scriptures bull represents the dharma (justice). |
| Nandhi | Birth-deathless, Often refers to the chief guard of Lord shiva |
| Nandi | Nandi, the Bull is the ceremonial mount of Shiva; an image of Nandi usually faces Shiva's sanctum . Shiva temples are also adorned with images of Nandi on the temple walls. |
| Nava Thirupathis | The nine sacred Vaishnavite shrines |
| Nayanmar | The 63 great devotees who excelled in their love for the Lord shiva (lived in thamiz nadu and nearby lands) |
| Nayanmars | The sixty three Saivite Saints, whose history is narrated in "Periyapuranam" who lived between the 5th and the 9th centuries, travelling around, visiting various temples , singing hymns of praise. Several miracles are associated with their visits. |
| Neivedhiyam | Offerings to the Deity / God |
| Nishkamya | Not seeking any favour |
| Niyama | Ritual |
| Oduvars | Torchbearers of the great tradition of Tevaram singing in Siva Temples; hymns that were composed by the Saints Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar in the 7th-9th centuries; now sung in Saivite temples in keeping with ancient tradition. |
| OM | The sacred syllable representing the universal vibratory sound |
| Paasuram | Sacred song in praise of God (generally refer to the works of the Vaishnavite Alwars) |
| Padai | Army |
| Padakkam | A locket or pendant |
| Palliyarai | A bed chamber where the festival deities are kept after the daily poojas |
| Panchagavyam | The mixture of the cow's milk, curd, ghee, water and dung. |
| Panchakshara | Holy Five Letters (Syllables), the mantra of Lord shiva held sacrad most by shaivites, five different forms there - most common being namaH shivAya and shivaya namah |
| Panchaksharam | A sacred word signifying the five syllables of Namasivaya - signifiying surrender to Shiva |
| Panchalogam | An alloy of five metals |
| Pancha-Murthys | The five deities,namely,Vinayakar, Murugar, Shiva, Parvati and Chandikeswarar |
| Pancharatra | A Vaishnava Agama |
| Panchmirtham | A sweet mixture of cow's milk, curd, ghee (boiled butter), sugar and honey. (cardamom like nice smelling spices could also be added.) |
| Paramathma | Supreme Self |
| Parasu | Axe |
| Parivara Devatha | Retinue of the main deity in a temple |
| Pasam | Bond, impurities (ANavam, kanmam, mAyai) which bind the pashu |
| Pashu | Creature, any life, all of us - any living being |
| Pathi | The Lord, Supreme, Master, Eternal |
| Patikam | Sacred song in praise of God (generally refer to the works of the Saivite Nayanmars) |
| Payasam | Sweet Pudding |
| Pazha Panchamirtham | In the above if the fruits like mango, jack, banana are added this fruit pa~nchamR^itam could be got |
| Pooja | A form of ceremonial worship offered to the deity |
| Poosari | A priest who does pooja at village temples |
| Prabandham | The celebrated Vaishnavite poetic compilation of the works of the Alwars |
| Pradhakshina | Circumambulation, coming around (a deity) taking right turns |
| Pradhosham | Evening of the 13th phase of the moon, 90 minutes before and after Sun set. It is considered auspicious for worshipping shiva in all Saivite temples - when thousands congregate for worship. |
| Pradishta | Installation |
| Prakaram | The verandah or passage around the Sanctum Sanctorum |
| Pranava | Om |
| Pranavam | The sacred syllable "OM" |
| Pranayama | Breath control / Exercise |
| Prarthana | Outward / social (worship) |
| Prasadam | Anything given to devotees after being symbolically offered to the deity |
| Prathiyahara | Drawing back, withholding (from material ties) |
| Prithvi | Earth |
| Pryachittham | Atonement / Expiation |
| Puja | Worship |
| Purana | Religious legend (There are eighteen in number) |
| Purushartha | Objectives of human, four in number - dharma, artha, kAma, moxa |
| Pushkarani | Pond / Temple tank |
| Pushkarini | The sacred temple tank |
| Raja Gopuram | The main temple tower, and usually the loftiest of all towers in a temple, crowning the main entrance to the temple, in the outermost of enclosures |
| Rakshasha | Demon |
| Ratham | Chariot |
| Rishabam | A bull |
| Rishi | Rushi / Sage / Seer |
| Rudhra | A form of Lord shiva, as deva of destruction. One of the Trimurti |
| Rudhraksha | rudra + axa translates to the eye of rudra. This is a beed from a tree. This is considered to have emanated from the eye of Lord Shiva when He burnt the tripura asuras. This is one of the holy symbols worn by Shaivites along with Holy Ash. This is worn as a single beed or as garlands of beeds. |
| Rudhraksha | Rudraksha beed held sacrad by shaivtes, appeared fromthe eye of rudra |
| Rudrakshamaalai | A roasary neck ornament made of the berry of a particular sacred tree considered to be special in Shiva |
| Saapa-Vimochanam | Deliverance from a curse |
| Sadagopam | A small metal head-cover on which Vishnu's feet are engraved and which is placed over the head of worshippers in Vaishnavite temples |
| Sadhaka | Accomplisher / Practitioner |
| Sadhana | Accomplishment / Practice |
| Sahasra Dhala | Padma thousand patal mystic lotus beyond the six chakras |
| Sahasranama Archana | A form of archarana or worship uaually offered to the deity with a recital of 1008 names (see archana, ashtotram, laksharchanai) |
| Saiva | A part of Hinduism which abodes Lord Shiva |
| Saiva Sidhdhantha | The shaivite philosophy that bloomed in thamiznAdu. |
| Samadhi | Complete absorption of thoughts (into the Supreme Being), the final stage of ashtanga yoga |
| Samayakkuravar | The four stalwarts sambandhar, appar, sundharar and Manikkavasagar who by their glorious hymns (which are part of thirumuRai) gave an excellent energy and vitalisation to the Shaivam in Tamil Nadu |
| Sambandar | Tirugnanasambandar, one of the foremost, as well as the youngest of the 63 Nayanmars; associated closely with Sirkazhi, Tiruvothur and several other shrines. |
| Samhara | Dissolution |
| Samhita | Compilation |
| Samsara | Circuit of worldly life |
| Sandanakaappu | Smearing the idol with sandal-wood paste |
| Sankhya | One of the six systems of Hindu philosophy, attributed to sage Kapila |
| Sanyasa | Renunciation |
| Sarukkam | Chapter |
| Sayanam | Reclining posture |
| Sayaratchai | Worship service in the evening |
| Sayujyam | Absorption |
| Shakti | Power, The Goddess (The female part of the God) |
| Shankhu | The conch-shell |
| Shanku Chakra | The counch called pAnchajanya and the disc called sudarshana in the hands of Lord ViShNu are the important symbols of Vaishnavites. These two are printed as emblems in the artefacts associated with Vaishnava. |
| Shasthra | Instructional scripture |
| Shiva | Perfect / Auspicious / The Supreme God |
| Shivacharya | Priest, who shows the way to Lord shiva |
| Sidhdhi | Attainment |
| Simha | Lion- a common vahanam or mount used in temples |
| Sivacharyas | The priests in temples belonging to the Saivite sect (see also Gurukkal) |
| Sloka | Verse |
| Slokam | Praising the deeds of the God |
| Smirithi | Remembrance / Social law book |
| Somavaram | Monday |
| Spear / Vel | The spear is the renowned weapon of Lord Skandha. So this is a very respected symbol of the devotees of Lord Subramanya. |
| Srichurna | The vertical three lines (or at times single red line) that is worn by the Vaishnavites is called shrI chUrNa. The two outer lines will be in the white color and the middle one in the red. The red line is normally with kumkum or the red sand at the base of the tulsi plant. This custom has been introduced in the later parts of time by rAmAnuja as vaiShNavite symbolism. vaiAhNavas not belonging to rAmAnuja sampradAya (for example mAdhvas) do not follow this custom. |
| Sthala Puranam | The legend regarding the origin of a sacred place |
| Sthala Puranam | History of the Place / Temple |
| Sthala Vriksha | Abode tree |
| Sthala Vruksham | The sacred tree connected with the legend of the temple |
| Sthalam | A sacred centre |
| Sthapana | Installation |
| Sthupi | Pillar |
| Sudhumna | Central nadi very important in yoga |
| Sunai | Water-fall |
| Sundarar | Sundaramoorthy Nayanar, one of the foremost of the 63 Saivite Nayanmar saints, associated closely with Tiruvennainallur and several other shrines. |
| Swadhitanam | Base / Mystical circle (chakra) |
| Swaroopam | Form of the almighty |
| Swayambu | That which comes of its own accord; that which is untouched by a tool; several of the Shiva Lingams adorning the sancta of temples, are believed to be natural mounds, held sacred for centuries. |
| Tapas | Penace |
| Tevara Patasala | A school to teach Tevara hymns of the Nayanmar saints |
| Tevaram | Collection of the hymns of the foremost of the Saivite Nayanmars, Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar; set to music; these ancient hymns have had a profound influence on the growth of Karnatic Music, and are even now sung in temples as part of worship. |
| Thamiz | One of the very old language spoken in the southern most state of India, called Tamilnadu |
| Thattva | Fact /Philosophy |
| Theertha | Holy water |
| Theertham | Sacred tank of the temple |
| Theerthavari | A festival during which the deity is immersed in holy water (see Aaraattu) |
| Theppa Utsavam | Float festival in which festival images of deities are led in procession in a float (Theppam), in the temple tank amidst the chanting of hymns and the playing of music. |
| Ther | The temple car or chariot |
| Thirumanjanam | Ritual bath for the image of a deity (see abhishekam) |
| Thirumurai | The hymns composed by the famous thamiz shaivite devotees during the first millenium. Highly adored text of thamiz shaivites |
| Thirunakshathram | One of the 27 asterisms under which a saint or a great person is born |
| Thiruppavai | A set of 30 verses in Nalayira Prabandham by Sri Andal in praise of Lord Vishnu. These hymns are held in great reverence in South India. |
| Thiruvadi | Sacred feet of the deity |
| Thiruvaimozhi | Devotional verses by Saint Nammalvar |
| Thrimurthi | The Hindu holy trinity - Brahma, Vishnu and Sivan - Involved in Creation, Sustainance and Destruction of lives respectively. |
| Thrishoolam | The sacred trident |
| Thrisula | The tri headed spear (trident) - one of the renowned weapon of Lord Shiva. So this is the second important emblem of Shaivites after nandi. As the Goddess shakti also holds this trident, this is the symbol that is held high by the devotees of shakti as well. |
| Thrisula | Trident |
| Tilaka | This is the dot most of the Hindus have at the eye-brow junction. This could be of sandal or red kumkum or a mix of both. This junction is one of the very significant chakra, called in spiritual terms AGYA chakra. This is a very sensitive point. So the tilaka is kept at this point. |
| Tiruvacakam | Poetic work of Manikkavacakar dedicated to Shiva. |
| Tiruvempaavai | A composition of 20 hymns by Manikkavacakar - at the grand Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar temple; sung ceremoniously during the winter month of Markazhi |
| Uchikala Pooja | Mid day worship service |
| Ugram | Fierce,powerful, angry |
| Upachara | Honour / Courtesy |
| Upadesa | Close advice / Initiation |
| Upanishad | Philosophy of Vedas / Vedanta |
| Upasana | Service / Attendance |
| Urchavam or Utsavam | Festival |
| Urdhuva Thandavam | The cosmic dance of Lord Siva with one leg lifted in which He defeated Goddess Kali |
| Ushadkala Pooja | Early morning worship service |
| Utharayanam | The Sun's progress - North of Equator (January-June) |
| Utsava Murthy | An idol taken in procession and worshipped on festival days |
| Vadakalai | A sect among Vaishnavites |
| Vahanam | Divine Mount |
| Vaikanasa Agamam | A Vaishnava Agama |
| Vamana | Dwarf, the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu |
| Varaha | A Boar, the third incarnation of Lord Vishnu |
| Varam | Boon |
| Veda | Holy teachings of the GOD to the humanbeings. The 4 type of vedas are Rugh, Yajur, Sama and Adharvana |
| Vedanta | Conclusion of veda, upanishad |
| Veera Saivam | The movement that strengthened the shaivite roots in the masses of karnataka. Revolutionary in thrashing away some of the old customs like caste etc. |
| Vel | A spear or lance of Lord Muruga |
| Vidhanam | Procedure |
| Vidhi | Order / System / Fate |
| Vigraham | Image of a deity |
| Vimana | Superstructure over sanctum sanctorum |
| Vimanam | The towered roof of a Sanctum; there are several types of vimanams such as the gajaprishta, ashtanga and sabha vimanams. |
| Vishnu | The Lord of sustainance. Worshiped by vaishnavam |
| Vishuddhi | Fifth mystic chakra |
| Vratha | Penance |
| Yaga | A special sacrificial ceremony (see homam) |
| Yagasalai | The place in which a sacrificial ceremony is observed |
| Yama | Personal discipline |
| Yanthra or Peetam | The seat on which the deity is placed |
| Yoga | The Art / Science of unifying thoughts (to something) |
| Yugam | An age of the world. There are four Yugas of time namely Kritha Yuga, Thretha Yuga, Dwapara Yuga and Kali Yuga, each of which runs into several lakhs of years. |
Sri Venkateswara Temple |
