Sukanasa

In Hindu temple architecture a sukanasa (Sanskrit: शुकनास, IAST: śukanāsa) or sukanasi is an external ornamented feature over the entrance to the garbhagriha or inner shrine.

[3] In discussing temples in Karnataka local authors tend to use "sukanasi" (the preferred form in these cases) as a term for the whole structure of the antarala or ante-chamber from the floor to the top of the sukanasa roof above.

The vertical face may be the termination of a horizontally-projecting structure of the same shape,[5] especially in temples with an antarala or ante-chamber between the mandapa or public worship hall and the garbhagriha.

[9] Especially in the south, the sukanasa may be topped by a kirtimukha head, the open-mouthed monster swallowing or vomiting the rest of the motif below.

Initially these were a large practical window admitting light to the interior, and reflecting the shape of the curved internal roof, based on timber and thatch predecessors.