Answer: Shikhara, a Sanskrit word translating literally to "mountain peak", refers to the growing tower in the Hindu temple architecture of North India, and also often used in Jain temples. A shikhara over the garbhagriha chamber where the presiding deity is enshrined is the most relevant and visible part of a Hindu temple of North India.
In South India, the equivalent term is vimana; unlike the shikhara, this relates to the whole building, including the sanctum beneath. In the south, shikhara is a term for the top stage of the vimana only, which is usually a dome capped with a finial.
Explanation: Shikharas can be classified into three main forms:
Latina. The shikhara has four faces, which may include projections or rathas within each face. All the elements run smoothly up the face in a curve. The most common. They are also sometimes called "homogeneous" shikharas, as opposed to the next two types, which may be called "heterogeneous".
Sekhari. The Latina shape has added engaged (united) sub-spires or spirelets called urushringas echoing the main shape. These may run up most of the face. There may be more than one size of these, sometimes called secondary and tertiary. Tertiary spirelets are typically near the ends of the face or on the corners.
Bhumija. The tower has miniature spires, in horizontal and vertical rows, all the way to the summit, creating a grid-like effect on each face. The tower is generally less strongly vertical in overall shape, often approaching a pyramidal shape. Mainly found in the northern Deccan and West India.
