Ayudha
The Ayudha is a Sanskrit term meaning "weapon" or "instrument of war." In temple architecture, it refers to the symbolic weapons placed atop the Ämalaka (the ribbed, circular crown above the shikhara or spire). These ayudhas represent divine power, protection, and authority. Often associated with the deity enshrined in the temple, they serve both religious and decorative purposes, enhancing the temple’s sacred and martial symbolism.