List of tallest Gopurams

List of tallest Gopurams

A Gopuram or Gopura, is a monumental tower, usually ornate, at the entrance of any temple, especially in Southern India. This forms a prominent feature of Koils, Hindu temples of the Dravidian style. They are topped by the kalasam, a bulbous stone finial. They function as gateways through the walls that surround the temple complex. The gopuram's origins can be traced back to early structures of the Tamil kings 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. It also dominated the inner sanctum in amount of ornamentation. Often a shrine has more than one gopuram. A koil may have multiple gopurams, typically constructed into multiple walls in tiers around the main shrine.

Tallest Gopurams
Gopurams are wide spread in south Indian temples, predominantly in Tamil Nadu.[1]
Temple Image Height ft 243 [2] Year Notes Location

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

1987 [] A.D.

The Srirangam Temple is one of the largest in India [3] and it houses the tallest gopuram in the country

Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, India

Murudeshwara Temple

236

[4]

2008 A.D. The temple is popular among travellers for the pretty high Siva temple, which is towered over an immense 40m high idol of the deity. The gopuram is [5] second tallest in India

Murudeshwar, Karnataka, India

Annamalaiyar Temple

216.5

[6]

A.D.

The temple covers some 10 hectares, this vast temple is one of the largest of India. Four large unpainted gopurams, one of each cardinal point, front of approaches, with the eastern side rising 13 [7] storeys and an astonishing 66m The 11-storied gopuram has a height of 59m, making it the tallest gopuram of the era. During the period of Madurai Nayaks, the lesser figures sponsored religious projects, including large scale [9] campus. The temple is the emblem of the Government of Tamil Nadu This temple is dedicated to Sri Trivikrama Ulagalanda Perumal, the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This temple tower is one of the tallest, measuring 192 feet in height. The Alwars Poigai Alvar, Bhoothathalvar & Peyalvar sang in praise of Lord Vishnu which formed the integral part of the Nalayira Divya Prabandham. One of the special features is that one idol contains the forms of two Gods - front side as Chakratalwar with sixteen [10] hands and the back side as Narasimhar.

Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India

Srivilliputhur Andal Temple

193.5

[8]

A.D.

Srivilliputhur, Tamil Nadu, India

Ulagalantha Perumal Temple

192

AD

Tirukoilur, Tamil Nadu, India

List of tallest Gopurams

[11]

2
A.D. Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India

Ekambareswarar Temple

190

This is Kanchipuram's largest temple with its tall gopuram, a highly visible symbol of Vijayanagar dynasty. The entire complex covers an area of 10 [12] hecatres and has five courtyards. Alagar Koyil is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. In the outer gateway of the temple, there is a massive door that is rarely opened. Behind the door, Karupannaswamy, the subordinate of Lord Vishnu, although no image of Karuppanaswamy is present. The shrine is dedicated to Karupannaswamy. The complex houses 14 gopurams(gateway towers) ranging from 45-50m in height, the tallest being the [13] southern tower, 51.9 metres (170ft) high The temple has some very old sections but the largest part dates back to 17th century. The four gopurams are decorated with many figures from the Hindu [14] pantheon; they can be seen from great distances.

Alagar Kovil

187

A.D.

Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Meenakshi Amman Temple

170

A.D.

Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Sarangapani Temple

164

A.D.

The temple is largest Vishnu temple in Kumbakonam. The temple shrine, in the form of chariot was the work of the Chola kings during the [15][16] 12th century.

Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India

Rajagopalaswamy Temple

154

1523-1575 King Vijayaragava Naik built the main gopuram, A.D. the thousand pillar hall and the big compound encircling the temple. The details of all these are [17] available in the inscriptions within the temple

Mannargudi, Tamil Nadu, India

Tallest Vimanam
Vimanams are structures over the sanctum of temples, predominantly in Orissa and Tamil Nadu. In many cases the vimanams are confused with gopurams. Vimanams are present above the Garbhagriha or Sanctum sanctorum in of a Hindu temple and will be relatively smaller in size compared to the gopurams, which are usually present at the entrance of the temple.
Temple Image Height ft 216 [18][19] Year Notes Location

Brihadeeswarar Temple

1011 A.D.

The Peruvudaiyar Koyil or Brihadeeswarar Temple, also known as [20] Rajarajeswaram, at Thanjavur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, [21] is the world's first complete granite temple and a brilliant example of the major heights achieved by Cholas kingdom Vishwakarmas in dravidian temple architecture. It is a tribute and a reflection of the power of its patron RajaRaja Chola I. It remains as [22] one of the greatest glories of Indian architecture. The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Great Living Chola Temples".

Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India

List of tallest Gopurams

[23]

3
1174 A.D. Puri, Orissa, India

Jagannath Temple, Puri

216

The Jagannath Temple in Puri is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Jagannath (Vishnu) and located in the coastal town of Puri in the state of Orissa, India. The name Jagannath (Lord of the Universe) is a combination of the Sanskrit words Jagat (Universe) and Nath [24] (Lord of). The temple was built in the 11th century atop its ruins by the progenitor of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva. The temple is famous for its annual Rath Yatra, or chariot festival, in which the three main temple deities are hauled on huge and elaborately decorated temple cars. Since medieval times, it is also associated with intense religious fervour.

Lingaraj Temple

183.7

[25]

11th Lingaraj Temple is a temple of the Hindu god Harihara and is one of Century the oldest temples of the Temple City Bhubaneswar, a revered A.D. pilgrimage center and the capital of the state of Orissa. The temple of Lingaraja, the biggest of all at Bhubaneswar is located within a spacious compound wall of latterite measuring 520feet by 465feet. The wall is 7feet 6inches thick and surmounted by a plain slant coping. Alongside the inner face of the boundary wall there runs a terrace probably meant to protect the compound wall against outside [26] aggression. 13th Konark Sun Temple (also known as the Black Pagoda), was built in Century black granite by King Narasimhadeva I (1236 C.E-1264 C.E) of the A.D. Eastern Ganga Dynasty. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 13th century, the temple is designed in the shape of a colossal chariot with 24 wheels (3.3 m dia diameter each) drawn by seven horses and, carrying the Sun god, Surya, across the heavens. It is a stunning monument of religious (Brahmanical) kalinga architecture.The large structure seen today is actually the mantapa (mandap). Of the main tower, which once stood in the front, only the remains can be seen. This tower (deul) was perhaps 230feet (70meters) tall, higher than any other temple in India.

Bhubaneshwar, Orissa, India

Konark Sun Temple

[27] 130 230 before [28] ruin

Konark, Orissa, India

Notes
[1] 108 Vaishnavite Divya Desams: Divya desams in Pandya Nadu. M. S. Ramesh, Tirumalai-Tirupati Devasthanam. [2] A new Rajagopuram (http:/ / www. frontline. in/ arc9700. htm) Frontline Magazine, 417 April 1987. [3] Yatra2Yatra. Sanjay Singh. [4] Singh 2009, p. 271 [5] South India P.271. Sarina Singh [6] Singh 2009, p. 1069 [7] South India P. 418. Sarina Singh [8] Tourist guide to Tamil Nadu 2007, p. 109 [9] Architecture and art of southern India: Vijayanagara and Successor States, Volume 1, Issue 6P.112. George Michell [10] http:/ / www. indian-heritage. org/ temple/ tirukoil. htm [11] Sajnani 2001, pp. 305 [12] India P.545. Karen Schreitmller [13] Sajnani 2001, pp. 307-308 [14] India P.586. Karen Schreitmller [15] South India P.432. Sarina Singh [16] Temples of South India P.112. V.V. Subba Reddy [17] Power of Passion P. 4. S. Manickavasagam [18] Middle Chola Temples, S.R.Balasubrahmanyam [19] CBSE textbook on Social Studies Class 10 [20] South Indian Inscriptions - VolII, Part I& II [21] http:/ / india. gov. in/ myindia/ facts. php [22] Atlas of the Year 1000 - Page 105 by John Man [23] The Jagannatha Temple at Puri: its architecture, art, and cult.O. M. Starza

List of tallest Gopurams

[24] Vedic Concepts (http:/ / www. shrifreedom. com/ VyasaSJC/ lessons1VedicConcepts. htm) "An example in Sanskrit is seen with the word Jagat which means universe.] |accessdate=2006-09-12 [25] Land and people of Indian states and union territories: in 36 volumes. Orissa .S. C. Bhatt, Gopal K. Bhargava [26] Ramesh Prasad Mohapatra (1986) Page 69. Archaeology in Orissa Vol I. B. R. Publishers, Delhi ISBN 81-7018-346-4 [27] http:/ / www. eodisha. com/ height-of-sun-temple-konark-in-orissa/ [28] http:/ / konark. nic. in/ maintemple. htm

References
Chand, Attar (1987), The great humanist Ramaswami Venkataraman, Delhi: Gian Publishing House, ISBN81-212-0106-3. Sajnani, Dr. Manohar (2001), Encyclopedia of tourism resources in India, Volume 2 (http://books.google.com/ books?id=nxtnsT8CdZ4C&pg=PA305&dq=ekambaranathar+temple&hl=en&sa=X& ei=HM0gT_vjA8PDgQfP0qztCA&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=ekambaranathar temple&f=false), Delhi: Kalpaz Publications, ISBN81-7835-014-9. Singh, Sarina; Lindsay Brown, Mark Elliott, Paul Harding, Abigail Hole, Patrick Horton (2009), Lonely Planet India, Australia: Lonely Planet, ISBNABN 36-0005-607-983 Check |isbn= value (help) . Tourist guide to Tamil Nadu (2007), Tourist guide to Tamil Nadu (http://books.google.com/ books?id=nGxbJqdEQrwC&pg=PA109&dq=srivilliputhur&hl=en&sa=X& ei=PMkpT6LQIeHo2gXCu9nsAg&ved=0CFQQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=srivilliputhur&f=false), Chennai: T. Krishna Press, ISBN81-7478-177-3.

Article Sources and Contributors

Article Sources and Contributors

List of tallest Gopurams Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=572613772 Contributors: Alan Liefting, Bmohanraj91, Diptiprakashpalai, FlagSteward, Gareth Griffith-Jones, Jayarathina, John of Reading, Kwamikagami, Magentic Manifestations, Ravichandar84, Readanything1729, ShelfSkewed, Shyamsunder, Ssriram mt, Wavelength, Woohookitty, 12 anonymous edits

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File:Srirangam Temple Gopuram (767010404).jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Srirangam_Temple_Gopuram_(767010404).jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Contributors: sowrirajan s from Chennai, india Image:Murdeshwar temple gopuram.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Murdeshwar_temple_gopuram.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Contributors: Nilesh Kodikal Image:Arunchaleshvara Temple - Tiruvannamalai - India 02.JPG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Arunchaleshvara_Temple_-_Tiruvannamalai_-_India_02.JPG License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: Adam Jones Adam63 File:Srivilliputhoor-Aandaal-Temple.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Srivilliputhoor-Aandaal-Temple.jpg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: Matrix108 File:Thirukovilur temple tower.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Thirukovilur_temple_tower.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: User:Bmohanraj91 Image:Ekambareshwarar7.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Ekambareshwarar7.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: User:Ssriram mt Image:Azhagarkovil1.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Azhagarkovil1.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: Ssriram mt Image:Meenakshi-Temple-bw.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Meenakshi-Temple-bw.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Contributors: Iamkarna File:Gopuras in Kumbakonam - India.JPG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Gopuras_in_Kumbakonam_-_India.JPG License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: Adam Jones Adam63 Image:RajaGopalaSwamyTemple.JPG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:RajaGopalaSwamyTemple.JPG License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: Raji.srinivas (talk). Original uploader was Raji.srinivas at en.wikipedia Image:Big Temple-Temple.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Big_Temple-Temple.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.5 Contributors: Original uploader was Fastsix at en.wikipedia Image:Jagannath Temple, Puri.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Jagannath_Temple,_Puri.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: User:Amartyabag File:Lingaraj Temple bbsr8.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Lingaraj_Temple_bbsr8.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Contributors: User:Tinucherian File:Sun Temple Konark 11087.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Sun_Temple_Konark_11087.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported Contributors: G.-U. Tolkiehn

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