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Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Annamalaiyar Temple – Fifth Prakaram – Raja Gopuram

Annamalaiyar Temple – Fifth Prakaram – Raja Gopuram
The tower located on the eastern side between the sixth outer Prakaram and fifth Prakaram is the tallest of all the towers in this temple. This is widely known as Raja Gopuram. It stands in splendid dignity at the foot of Annamalai Hill overlooking the town with its immense height and grandeur.


It is 217 feet in height with 11 storeys. It is The Raja Gopuram, built by Krishnadevaraya lavishly with the sculptured art of that period and the second tallest temple tower in South India.


The main entrance to Arunachaleswarar Temple is via the east gate i.e. the Raja Gopura. The Gopura was built by Krishnadevaraya in 1516 A.D., and completed by the King of Tanjore, Sevappa Naicken in 1590. The Raja Gopura is 11 stories in height (217 feet) and is the tallest Gopura in this Temple.


The Gopura of the Tanjore Temple built by Chola Rajaraja is 216 feet in height and it is believed that King Krishnadevaraya intentionally built the Raja Gopura at Arunachaleswarar Temple one foot higher so as to eclipse the big tower in Tanjore Temple. The Raja Gopura provides the main entrance to Arunachaleswarar Temple.


On the northern wall of the entrance there are two figures. The upper one is believed to represent King Krishnadevaraya. In the Temple to the left of the main Gopura, is also a statue of the Gopura Ganapati.



The Raja Gopuram’s base is 135 x 98 feet and believed to be later than the southern base of Thirumanjana Gopura. The spire is said to have been completed by Sevappa Nayak of Tanjore about 1690 A.D. Although the spire seems to have little pilaster, only a small amount of brick work is actually exposed.