Gopuram (Tower of a Hindu's Temple)

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AGopuram 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.Itis topped with the sikhara's amalaka (abulbous stone finial).They function as gateways through the walls that surround the temple complex.

The gopuram's origins can be traced back to earlystructures of the Pallavas and by the twelfthcentury under the Pandyarulers these gateways became a dominant feature of a temple's outer appearance,eventually overshadowing the inner sanctuary which became obscured from view bythe gopuram's colossal size.[3] It also dominatedthe inner sanctum in amount of ornamentation. Often a shrine has more than onegopuram.

Therefore, a Hindu Temple may have multiple"Vimanas", typically constructed into Multiple Walls in tiers aroundthe Main Shrine. The Temple's walls are typically square with the outer mostwall having Four Vimanas, one each on every side, situated exactly in theCenter. 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 wherethe Inner Shrines' Roofs are as famous as the Temple itself. The Ananda Nilayamof The Tirumala Temple isone such famous Example where it occupies a very special place in The temple'sHistory and identity as well.

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Gopuram of Thirumala Temple



Top of Gopuram at Meenakshi Temple, Mathurai