Shikhar (spire)

A shikhar, also known as a spire, is the tall, tapering feature that crowns traditional Hindu and Jain temples. Typically built with intricate carvings and architecture, it symbolizes the temple's connection to the divine and points upward toward the heavens. The shikhar often contains a sacred relic or symbolic representation and serves as a visual focal point, emphasizing the spiritual significance of the structure. Its design varies across cultures and regions but generally aims to inspire reverence and elevate the temple’s presence within its surroundings.