A Gopuram or Gopura or Vimanam, is a monumental tower, usually ornate, at the entrance of a temple, especially in Southern India. This is a prominent feature of Hindu temple architecture.^[1] It is topped with the sikhara's amalaka (a bulbous stone finial). They function as gateways through the walls that surround the temple complex.^[2]

The gopuram's origins can be traced back to early structures of the Pallavas and by the twelfth century under the Pandya rulers these gateways became a dominant feature of a temple's outer appearance, eventually overshadowing the inner sanctuary which became obscured from view by the gopuram's colossal size.^[3] It also dominated the inner sanctum in amount of ornamentation. Often a shrine has more than one gopuram.^[4]
Therefore, a Hindu Temple may have multiple "Vimanas", typically constructed into Multiple Walls in tiers around the Main Shrine. The Temple's walls are typically square with the outer most wall having Four Vimanas, one each on every side, situated exactly in the Center. The Roof of the Sanctum Sanctorum is also called The Vimanam. Generally, these do not assume as much significance as the Outer "Vimanam"s (Temple Towers) with the Exception of a few temples where the Inner Shrines' Roofs are as famous as the Temple itself. The Ananda Nilayam of The Tirumala Temple is one such famous Example where it occupies a very special place in The temple's History and identity as well.

Contents 1 Architectural features 2 Examples 3 Footnotes 4 External links 5 References

[edit] Architectural features

A gopuram is usually rectangular in form with ground-level wooden doors, often richly decorated, providing access. Above is the tapering gopuram, divided into many storeys which diminish in size as the gopuram tower narrows. Usually the tower is topped with a barrel vaulted roof with a finial.^[3]

Gopurams are exquisitely decorated with sculpture and carvings and painted with a variety of themes derived from the Hindu mythology, particularly those associated with the presiding deity of the temple where the gopuram is located.

[edit] Examples

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The 'Rajagopuram' Gopuram of Murudeshwar in Karnataka is 249-feet tall and 21 floors and the tallest Gopuram in the world. The magnificent 123-feet long statue of Lord Shiva in the backdrop lends the gopuram a majestic look. The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, Tamilnadu state is the second tallest Gopuram in South India. This Gopuram, known as the Rajagopuram (the royal temple tower), rises from the base area of around 13 cents (32500 sq ft) and goes up to 196 feet (60 m), moving up in eleven progressively smaller tiers.

The Gopuram of Sri Andal Temple in Srivilliputtur is the third highest temple tower in Tamilnadu. It is 60 m (192 ft) high and has thirteen progressively smaller tiers. This Gopuram is the centerpiece of the state symbol of the Government of Tamilnadu.

Gopuram of the Virupaksha Temple at Hampi	A gold overlaid gopuram at the Kamakshi Amman Temple, Kanchipuram	Side-view of the second gopuram(Palli Gopuram) at the Ekambareswarar temple, Kanchi	Main gopuram at the Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kanchi
Gopuram of the Annavaram temple at Annavaram	Temple gopuram at Tirumala	Top of a gopuram at Madurai

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Gopurams

• Gopura row brings caste sentiments to the fore
• Gopuram photo

[edit] References

• Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dhallapiccola