shikharan.

1829 J. Tod Ann. Rajast'han I. 670 The pinnacle or sikra rises, like the crown of the Hindú Cybele.

1838 Penny Cycl. XII. 238/1 The body of the temple, or sanctuary,.. over which rises a pyramidical sikr, or roof.

1891 J. Fergusson Hist. Indian & Eastern Archit. ii. ii. 221 The towers or spires called Sikras.., which invariably surmount the cells in which the images are placed.

1927 A. Coomaraswamy Hist. Indian & Indonesian Art iii. 80 In more characteristic examples in the Ganges valley the síkhara and cella together form a tower.

1930 K. T. Shah Splendour that was 'Ind viii. 151 Prof. Macdonell is of the view that the Shikhara is a natural evolution of the Buddhist Stupa. Later critics of India's art treasures are inclined, however, to hold that the Shikhara, with all the symbolism of which it was the concrete and complex expression, was introduced in India by the Vedic Aryans.

1959 Hooykaas & Christie tr. Frederic Indian Temples & Sculpture 297 The temple itself has a sikhara of Khajuraho type.

1972 ‘E. Peters’ Death to Landlords! xi. 158 On the outermost platform of rock, its shikhara tapering into the air..stood the modern white memorial.

1974 Daily Colonist (Victoria, Brit. Columbia) 8 Sept. 13/6 But the most noteworthy aspect of the Khajuraho temple is the shikara, or spire.

1977 Jrnl. Royal Soc. Arts 125 579/1 In the larger temples the śikhara tends to be..surrounded by smaller subsidiary śikharas.