INDIAN HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The gopura is generally constructed with a stone base and a superstructure of brick and pilaster. It is rectangular in plan and topped by a barrel-vault roof. The exterior walls are covered with sculpture.

Detailed explanation-2: -A gopuram or gopura ( Telugu: , Tamil: , Malayalam: , Kannada: ) 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, and Sri Lanka.

Detailed explanation-3: -In old times, the towering gopurams used to serve as landmarks for the travellers and they had a scientific purpose as well. Due to their great height, they used to act as lightning conductors and also receiver of cosmic energy which was eventually transmitted to the deity inside the sanctum sanctorum.

Detailed explanation-4: -As most of the temples are well established and got a greater form by the 15th century, the later rulers of Vijayanagara and other kingdoms concentrated on the development of already established temples by constructing large gopurams and mandapa structures and adding them to the existing temple site.