Prastara ( sa, प्रस्तर, prastāra, extension, flat top) is a sort of

entablature An entablature (; nativization of Italian , from "in" and "table") is the superstructure of moldings and bands which lies horizontally above columns, resting on their capitals. Entablatures are major elements of classical architecture, and ...

in the

Hindu temple architecture Hindu temple architecture as the main form of Hindu architecture has many varieties of style, though the basic nature of the Hindu temple remains the same, with the essential feature an inner sanctum, the ''garbha griha'' or womb-chamber, where ...

Overview

It is a horizontal superstructure of bands and moldings above column capitals, sometimes functions as a parapet of a story. Prastara is both functional and decorative element located above the

architrave In classical architecture, an architrave (; from it, architrave "chief beam", also called an epistyle; from Greek ἐπίστυλον ''epistylon'' "door frame") is the lintel or beam that rests on the capitals of columns. The term can ...

of the temple. Being the third part of the building counting from the bottom, prastara is a very important element of the overall architectural composition of the temple.

Meaning

In the Dravidian context, prastara signifies a meeting place, where the two divisions of the temple, ''prasada varga'' (the Earth) and the ''pada varga'' (the Heaven), meet each other.

Parts

Prastara consists of several parts from bottom to top: uttara, valabhi ( stringcourse above uttara), and kapota ( dripstone). Kapota is usually shaped as a pigeon's head.

References

Hindu temple architecture {{hindu-temple-stub