Srivilliputhur Andal Temple Gopuram -- Tamil Nadu State Emblem HD Wallpaper
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About this image
The magnificent gopuram of the Srivilliputhur Andal Temple soars 192 feet into the blue Tamil Nadu sky -- one of the tallest temple towers in South India and the single most recognizable symbol of the state, appearing on the official Tamil Nadu state government emblem. Every inch of its surface is alive with painted stucco sculptures: gods, goddesses, celestial beings, mythological scenes, and sacred symbols, arranged in the traditional register system of Dravidian temple architecture where each tier tells a different story. Srivilliputhur is where Andal was found as an infant beneath a tulasi plant by the priest Periyalvar, where she grew up composing the Thiruppavai and Nachiyar Tirumozhi, and where her worship has continued unbroken for over twelve centuries. The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams -- the sacred sites celebrated by the Alvars in their devotional hymns. The gopuram itself was built by the Madurai Nayak kings in the 16th-17th centuries, though the temple's origins are far older. Its selection as the Tamil Nadu state emblem in 1956 was a recognition of its cultural significance beyond religion -- it represents Tamil architectural achievement, artistic heritage, and devotional tradition all in one towering structure. The engineering of a 192-foot stone and stucco tower in pre-modern India, without steel reinforcement, is itself a testament to the mathematical and engineering sophistication of Tamil temple builders. Palm trees frame the base, and the blue sky above seems to exist primarily as a backdrop for this extraordinary monument. Free HD download.
