Alternative spellings of this word include Utsavarcha.

In Hinduism

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts (shilpa)

1) Utsavārcā (उत्सवार्चा) refers to one of the six kinds of idols, as discussed in the seventeenth chapter of the Īśvarasaṃhitā (printed edition), a Pāñcarātra work in 8200 verses and 24 chapters dealing with topics such as routines of temple worship, major and minor festivals, temple-building and initiation.—Description of the chapter [pratimālakṣaṇa]: [...] There are six kinds of idols, representing types for use on various occasions: karmārcā, utsavārcā, balyarcā, tīrthakautukārcā, nimittasnapanārcā and śayanārcā. The last five in any temple are the best the measurements of these five are given in proportion to the mūlabera-idol. Their postures are also discussed (238-248a). Temples may be classified, indeed, according to the number and types of idols they contain—ekabera and bāhubera and varieties thereof (248b- 260). [...]

2) Utsavārcā (उत्सवार्चा) refers to one of the six varieties of Arcā (images), as discussed in chapter 18 (Kriyāpāda) of the Padmasaṃhitā: the most widely followed of Saṃhitā covering the entire range of concerns of Pāñcarātra doctrine and practice (i.e., the four-fold formulation of subject matter—jñāna, yoga, kriyā and caryā) consisting of roughly 9000 verses.—Description of the chapter [lohajā-pratimānirmāṇa-tālavibhāga]: Bhagavān says He will treat now of the images used for special purposes in temples. There are six varieties of arcā-images classified according to their functional uses—karmārcā (the specific case to be distinguished from the general type-names), utsavārcā, balyarcā, snānārcā, tīrthārcā, svāpottānārcā (1-3). [...]

3) Utsavārcā (उत्सवार्चा) refers to one of the “six icons needed for various practical purposes in pūjā”, as discussed in chapter 14 of the Śrīpraśnasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising 5500 Sanskrit verses covering a number of subjects ranging from selecting a temple site through building and furnishing it to sanctifying and maintaining worship in the sacred complex.—Description of the chapter [karmārcā-ādi-kalpana]: There are six types of moveable icons: karmārcā, utsavārcā, balyarcā, tīrthārcā, snānārcā and śayanārcā. A temple that has and uses in its worship routines all six types is the best kind; one which uses only three is middling; one that has only one is inferior (1-3). The heights of each of the six types is given (4-10). [...]

Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (śilpa)

Utsavārcā (उत्सवार्चा) refers to “images taken on processions during festivals” and represents one of the six types of Jaṅgama or Bimba icons (“images closely linked to the main image”).

context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Arca, Utsava.

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Full-text: Jangama, Karmarca, Balyarca, Tirtharca, Snanarca, Svapottanarca, Svapottana, Shayanarca, Lohajapratimanirmanatalavibhaga, Tirthakautukarca, Tirthakautuka, Nimittasnapana, Nimittasnapanarca, Pratimanirmana, Karmarcadikalpana, Pratimalakshana.

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