Gopurams are
magnificent temple entrances in the middle of the temple's outer walls in the
Dravida style of temple architecture, which was mostly dominant in southern
India.
Temples created in the Dravida style are typically shorter
than temples erected in the northern Indian Nagara style, but they make up for
it by sprawling over large areas and establishing cities in their own right.
There are normally four gopurams, one for each of the
cardinal directions; in some instances, these gopurams are 10 storeys tall and
visible from miles away.
The gopurams were originally designed as defensive entrances
to limit entry to the temple, but they now serve a more aesthetic purpose.
Gopurams make a statement about the authority of the
resident deities (and their client kings) by dominating the skyline surrounding
the temple, much like the spires of Gothic cathedrals; they have also served to
educate the devout, since they are generally adorned with sculptures depicting
mythical subjects.
Discover more about Hindu Art, Architecture, and Iconography here.
You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.
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