Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
Murdeshwara Temple is known for its colossal, 40m high statue of Shiva. Its gopuram is the second tallest in India. It is also the only one where one can take a lift to top floor of the gopuram. [11] Murdeshwar, Karnataka, India: 3 Annamalaiyar Temple East Gopuram (Raja Gopuram) 216.5 [10] 9th century AD; gopuram 16th century Annamalaiyar ...
A gopuram or gopura (Tamil: கோபுரம், Telugu: గోపురం, Kannada: ಗೋಪುರ, Malayalam: ഗോപുരം) is a monumental entrance tower, usually ornate, at the entrance of a Hindu temple, in the South Indian architecture of the southern Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, and Telangana, [1] and Sri Lanka.
The town of Srirangapatna derives its name from the temple is located on an island in the river Kaveri. The temple is linked to major Indian thinkers, particularly the Vedanta and Sri Vaishnavism philosopher Ramanuja. However, the temple is older than the 11th/12th century Ramanuja. The temple houses monastery cells as well as manuscript bandara.
The temple site is on a large island bounded by the Kaveri River and Kollidam River. [4] It is vast and planned as a temple town with Sapta-Prakaram design where the sanctum, gopuram, services and living area are co-located in seven concentric enclosures. Rampart walls were added after medieval centuries that saw its invasion and destruction.
The current temple structure, hall of 1000 pillars, main gopuram (temple gateway tower) and the big compound wall around the temple was built by the king Vijayaraghava Nayak (1532–1575 CE). [6] Raghunathabhyudayam , a doctrine by Nayaks explains the donation of an armour studded with precious stones to the main deity by the king. [ 8 ]
[7] [8] An Aasthaana Mandapa with several artistically carved pillars lead one to the towering 150 feet (46 m) high seven-tiered rajagopuram at the entrance. [4] The granite hill behind the temple is 1,050 ft (320 m) has a shrine of Kasi Viswanatha (Shiva) at the top. The image of Vinayaka (Ganesha) in the temple holds sugarcane and fruits. [9]
The gopuram of the main entrance is 30 m high, smaller than the vimana. [13] The main temple-related monuments and the great tower is in the middle of this courtyard. [ 29 ] Around the main temple that is dedicated to Shiva, are smaller shrines, most of which are aligned axially.
The temple is one of the largest temple complexes in Andhra Pradesh. [citation needed] A 50 m high, seven-storied Rajagopuram was constructed on the east entrance of the temple by Matla Anantaraja, a local chieftain. [3] This structure has Ramayana scenes and portrait of Matla Anantaraja and his three wives carved onto the passage walls. [3]