Dear Mahinda,

> Actually kuu.ta.m has a clear meaning, i.e., top, peak.
> Gaha-kuu.ta.m should be the highest point of the roof,
> at which the rafters meet. I think,but am not sure, that
> the ridge-pole, resting on a cross beam,props up and
> supports the rafters where they meet together. I have
> such a pole in one part of my house!

I found the following in the entry for ka.n.nikaa in the online CPD:

" b. (t.t. archit.) a ka.n.nikaa roof-plate; ~ denotes a
circular wooden roof-plate (cf. the term ka.n.nika-
ma.n.dala, q.v.) crowning a peaked roof (like a kind
of coping stone), into which the rafters (- gopaana-
siis) are fitted, thus holding them together and sup-
porting them (cf. the term gopaanasiibhaaravaha quali-
fying ~); "

It continues on with more and there is mention of the term being used
as a synonym for kuu.ta.

I don't have such a roof-plate at the peak of the pyramidal-shaped
roof of my cottage here in Canada.The main roof frame is made up of
four 2x4's that slope upward from the four corners of the building's
walls and meet together at one point forming the peak. The ends here
are shaped so that they all fit together snugly. It's a very strong
roof that can withstand the heavy weight of snow and ice in the
winter.

Best wishes,
Jim