What is "shikhara"

Shikhara ( IAST: ), a Sanskrit word translating literally to "mountain peak", refers to the rising tower in the Hindu temple architecture of North India. Shikhara over the sanctum sanctorum where the presiding deity is enshrined is the most prominent and visible part of a Hindu temple of North India.

In South India, the equivalent term for "shikhara" is " vimana".

These are not to be confused with the elaborate gateway-towers of south Indian temples, called " gopurams", which are perhaps the most prominent features of those temples.