Vimana (shrine)
Encyclopedia
Vimana is a term for the tower above the Garbhagriha
or Sanctum sanctorum
in a Hindu temple.
in Dravidian
style may have multiple gopurams, typically constructed into multiple walls in tiers around the main shrine. The temple's walls are typically square with the outer most wall having four gopuras, one each on every side, situated exactly in the center of each wall. The sanctum sanctorum and its towering roof (the central deity's shrine) are also called the Vimana. Generally, these do not assume as much significance as the outer gopurams, with the exception of a few temples where the sanctum sanctorum's roofs are as famous as the temple complex itself.
The Ananda Nilayam
gopuram-vimanam of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple
is a famous example where the gopuram of the main shrine occupies a very special place in the temple's history and identity.
Vimana is a term for the tower above the Garbhagriha
Garbhagriha
Garbhagriha or Garbha griha is the small unlit shrine of a Hindu temple.Garbhagriha or ' is a Sanskrit word meaning the interior of the sanctum sanctorum, the innermost sanctum of a Hindu temple where resides the murti of the primary deity of the temple...
or Sanctum sanctorum
Sanctum sanctorum
The Latin phrase sanctum sanctorum is a Latin translation of the biblical term: "Holy of Holies" which generally refers in Latin texts to the Holiest place of the Tabernacle of Ancient Israel and later the Temples in Jerusalem, but also has some derivative use in application to imitations of the...
in a Hindu temple.
Architecture
A typical Hindu templeHindu temple
A Mandir, Devalayam, Devasthanam, or a Hindu temple is a place of worship for followers of Hinduism...
in Dravidian
Dravidian architecture
Dravidian architecture was a style of architecture that emerged thousands of years ago in Southern part of the Indian subcontinent or South India. They consist primarily of pyramid shaped temples called Koils which are dependent on intricate carved stone in order to create a step design consisting...
style may have multiple gopurams, typically constructed into multiple walls in tiers around the main shrine. The temple's walls are typically square with the outer most wall having four gopuras, one each on every side, situated exactly in the center of each wall. The sanctum sanctorum and its towering roof (the central deity's shrine) are also called the Vimana. Generally, these do not assume as much significance as the outer gopurams, with the exception of a few temples where the sanctum sanctorum's roofs are as famous as the temple complex itself.
Famous Shrines
The kanka-sabai (Golden stage)at Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram is a classical example for vimanas. this particular shrine is entirely covered with golden plates and massive in its structure when compared to the other vimanas constructed during the modern r medieval periods. Historical evidence states that Parnthagachola (9th century Chola Emperor) funded to cover this Vimana with ornamental gold.The Ananda Nilayam
Ananda Nilayam
The glittering gold plated gopuram of the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple is called Ananda Nilayam...
gopuram-vimanam of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple
Tirumala Venkateswara Temple
Tirumala Venkateswara Temple ), is a Hindu temple in the hill town of Tirumala, near Tirupati in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, South India. It is around from Chennai, from Hyderabad, and from Bangalore....
is a famous example where the gopuram of the main shrine occupies a very special place in the temple's history and identity.