While pilgrims mainly pay visits to temples for their religious beliefs, it’s not always the same with tourists. Not every temple in the world attracts thousands on a daily basis, but the ones that do, generally boast of stellar architecture.
Numerous temples in South India are frequented by both local and foreign tourists for their architectural brilliance. And the one thing that truly stands out when it comes to South Indian temples is the gopuram. But what exactly is a gopuram?
Simply put, a gopuram is the tower that is generally found at the entrance of numerous South Indian temples. There are many myths surrounding gopurams. While some say they have mainly served as landmarks, others say that they channelize cosmic energy! No matter what you choose to believe, a grand gopuram is always a treat to behold.The temples with the tallest gopurams in South India are generally found in the state of Tamil Nadu. But do you know which Tamil Nadutemples on a South India tour boast of the tallestgopurams? Let’s find out!
Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram
Where better to start than the temple town of Kanchipuram? Once upon a time, Kanchipuram used to serve as the capital of the Pallava dynasty. Even though the city has faded in terms of importance as the years have passed, it is still an important religious destination.
Ekambareswarar Temple is regarded as the most important religious landmark in the town, and it has existed since the 7th Century AD. Dynasties such as Chola, Pallava, and Vijayanagara all contributed to its construction. The temple gopuram boasts of a height of 172 ft., which makes it the grandest spectacle in the temple town. Apart from the towering gopuram, this temple, dedicated to Hindu Lord Shiva, also houses a mango tree that is claimed to be over 2500 years old!
Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Tirukoilur
The Ulagalantha Perumal Temple in the town of Tirukoilur is dedicated to Shri Ulagalantha Perumal, Lord Vishnu’s fifth incarnation. The temple boasts of Tamil Nadu’s joint third-highest gopuram at a height of 192 ft. and is regarded in Hinduism as one of the five holiest temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Other deities worshipped here include Lord Rama, Lord Venugopala and Goddess Lakshmi.
Construction of the temple was originally started by the Chola Dynasty. As time passed, the Vijayanagara and Madurai Nayakar dynasties also contributed immensely. The temple, also known as Sri Thiruvikrama Perumal Temple, is noted for its Dravidian architectural style.
Srivilliputhur Andal Temple, Srivilliputhur
A temple that features on the official seal of the Tamil Nadu Government must be an important one, and it’s fair to say that there are very few temples in the state that command as much respect as the Srivilliputhur Andal Temple. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple is a haven for Hindus, and in particular, the followers of the Vaishnavite sect. The temple’s gopuram measures 192 ft. in height, and shares the honour of being the joint third-highest gopuram in the state.
It is not certain as to when the construction of this temple started. According to inscriptions found within the temple, it is believed that the Chola, Nayak, and Pandya Dynasties all had their parts to play in the construction of the temple.
Annamalaiyar Temple, Tiruvannamalai
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Annamalaiyar Temple is spread out over 10 hectares, and is one of India’s largest temple complexes. While most temples just have one gopuram, the Annamalaiyar Temple boasts of four, with the largest one measuring an astonishing 217 ft. The interiors of the temple complex feature an additional five gopurams, along with the temple’s main highlight, a hall with a thousand pillars, which boasts of intricate carvings.
The Annamalaiyar Temple dates back to the 9th Century, and several inscriptions found in the temple premises have lead experts to believe that it was the Chola Dynasty that started the construction of this iconic temple. The work of the Cholas was furthered by the Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva, and Vijayanaga Dynasties.
Sri Ranganathswamy Temple, Srirangam
As far as temples go, there aren’t any larger in India. And as far as gopurams go, no other temple in Tamil Nadu can boast of a taller one. At a height of 237 feet, Sri Ranganathswamy Temple’s tallest gopuram towers over the temple complex, which is spread out over a massive area of 156 acres. The gopuram features eleven tiers, and progressively becomes smaller with increasing height.
Archaeological inscriptions found in the temple complex point to the contributions made by the Chola, Hoysala, Pandya, and Vijayanagara dynasties to the construction of the temple. According to said inscriptions, the temple is thought to have been built between the 9th Century and the 16th Century. If you book a South India tour in the December-January period, make sure to visit this temple for the 21 day festival of Margazhi, which is known to attract over a million visitors each year.Waytoindia.com organises South india tours to suite all budgets for which.
The towering gopurams and temples of Tamil Nadu are sure to cement a place in your memory for a long time to come. Have a great trip!
