Sky Has No Limits...! So Do I....!

Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple,the largest Hindu temple in the world, the largest temple in India, located in Trichy, Tamil Nadu,India. This article is not about Existence of God. But about the beauty of the architecture of the buildings and carvings.
Even though the field of civil engineering has grown multi-folds with the latest technologies, I wondered how people have managed to build such huge and marvellous buildings called as "Gopuram"...!!!

The style falls under "Dravidian" architecture, where the "Gopuram"s are pyramid gates to the temples.

Facts About the Temple:

Area: 6,31,000 square meters.
Perimeter: 1116 meters.
Date built: unknown--built before 2000 years.
God Name: Sri Ranganatha Swamy.
Goddess Name: Ranganaayaki Thayar.
Location: Trichy.
State: Tamil Nadu.
Country: India.
The temple is enclosed by 7 concentric walls with a total length of 32,592 feet or over six miles. These walls are enclosed by 21 Gopurams (Towers).

The Structure of Dravidian Architecture:
Most-South Indian temples are of the Dravidian style. They basically have 4 main parts. These 4 parts can be found in almost all Temples of Dravidian Architecture..!!

1. The Vimana: This is the main part of the temple, which usually located at the center of the temple, square in construction, which encapsulates "The Lord" in the form of either image or Idol. The upper part is usually of one or two stories of pyramidal roof, may be covered entirely with gold or an alloy of gold.

2. The Mantapams: These are similar to "Porticus", a Latin word--meaning covered entrance to a building. The Mantapams are covered entrance to The Vimana..!

3. The Gopurams: These are typical gate-pyramids, which form the main entrance into the temple's boundary area. These are quandrangular building structures which is similar to a cave, gives access to the Mantapams. These extend towards top as a pyramid incorporating various angels, kings, dancers, poets, other forms of God's idol etc..!!

4. Pillared Halls or Chaultries: mostly called as CHAWADIS. These are small to massive halls accompanying the temples, used for various purposes. Sometimes, the temple management offer these halls for a day or two for marriages or other special ceremonies.

Besides these main parts, certain temples accomodate tanks or wells which contain sacred water. Some temples do have "Teppakullams", which acts as a pond containing water.


The Gopurams, are gate-pyramids, were so huge that these can be compared to the mordern sky-scrappers. These Gopurams are quadrangular entrance to the temple, extending on the top as pyramids. The Gopurams range from small to huge sizes depending on the temples. The small Gopurams may themself have an idol and forming an arch, acting as a shelter for the idol.
These Gopurams are touched up with beautiful & marvellous colors, looks as if those are taken during the sun set & rise, the deep blue ocean, star lit sky, scortching sun, magnificient moon, super nova explosion....etc..!
I at once wondered , how was it possible for people who lived 2000 years ago, able to perform such a beautiful work,witnessed by these paintings and sculptures, which never could be done now. The technology today right from building house on Mars to moon, remote sensing, drilling for oil and gas from ocean beds etc.. has gone so fast and wild, but cannot match with these wonderful works of the people who made these stuffs 2000 years ago. No engineer can construct a building which can stay 2000 years long as these do. And amazingly the paints did not peel off and still looks attractive..
What materials they would have used?
Did they have a spray machine?
Did they have a Numerical controlled painting machine?
Did they had cranes and lifts to carry them to heights?
How did they manage to carve an idol at a heights that reach sky?
All these remain unanswered..!!!
But I believe that these ancient works made by people, 2000 years earlier, must have had a drive which is other than money. It must be the passion & creativity to do so. They must have totally loved their job, with out any expectations, except the dedication, hard work and sincerity. On seeing such sculptures and carvings, I could really see through their love towards their work..!!
These are some of the pictures I took when I went to the temple. Hope everybody enjoyed it and comments are welcome..!!!