List of tallest Gopurams


A gopuram or gopura is a monumental tower, usually ornate, at the entrance of any temple, especially in Southern India. They are a prominent feature of koils, Hindu temples built in the Dravidian style. They are topped by the kalasam, a bulbous stone finial. They function as gateways through the walls that surround the temple complex.
The gopuram's origins can be traced back to early structures built under the Tamil kings of the Pallava and Chola dynasties. By the twelfth century, during the Pandya dynasty, these gateways became a dominant feature of a temple's outer appearance, eventually overshadowing the inner sanctuary which became obscured from view by the gopuram's colossal size. It also dominated the inner sanctum in amount of ornamentation. Often a shrine has more than one gopuram.
A koil may have multiple gopurams, typically constructed into multiple walls in tiers around the main shrine.

Tallest Gopurams

Gopurams are widespread in south Indian temples, predominantly in Tamil Nadu.
RankTempleImageHeight
ft		Consecration
Year		NotesLocation
1Ranganathaswamy Temple,
Raja Gopuram		239.5011987 CERanganathaswamy Temple is one of the largest temple complexes in India, covering an area of. It is home to twelve gopurams, the largest being the Raja Gopuram.Srirangam,
Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
2Murdeshwara Temple2402008 CEMurdeshwara Temple is known for its colossal, 40m high statue of Shiva. Its gopuram is the second tallest in India. It is also the only one where one can take a lift to top floor of the gopuram.Murdeshwar, Karnataka, India
3Annamalaiyar Temple
East Gopuram
216.59th century CEAnnamalaiyar Temple covers 10 hectares, and is one of the largest temples in India. It is surrounded by four large unpainted gopurams, one facing each cardinal direction. The eastern gopuram rises to 66m, and is called the Raja Gopuram.Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India
4Srivilliputhur Andal Temple193.510th-16th centuries CESrivilliputhur Andal Temple's gopuram measures eleven storeys high and 59m tall, making it the tallest of its era. During the Madurai Nayak dynasty, lesser figures sponsored religious projects, including the large scale campus. The temple is the emblem of the Government of Tamil Nadu.Srivilliputhur, Tamil Nadu, India
5Ulagalantha Perumal Temple192CEUlagalantha Perumal Temple is dedicated to Trivikrama, the fifth incarnation of Vishnu. Its gopuram is in height. According to legends, The alvars Poigai Alvar, Bhoothathalvar and Peyalvar sang in praise of Vishnu at this temple, and their words later formed the integral part of the Nalayira Divya Prabandham.
One of the special features is that one idol contains the forms of two Gods - front side as Chakratalwar with sixteen hands and the back side as Narasimhar.		Tirukoilur, Tamil Nadu, India
6Ekambareswarar Temple190CEEkambareswarar Temple is the largest temple in Kanchipuram, a highly visible symbol of Pallava dynasty. The entire complex covers an area of 10 hectares and has five courtyards.Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
7Kallazhagar Temple187CEKallazhagar Temple is located in Azhagar Koyil, and is dedicated to Vishnu. In the outer gateway of the temple, there is a massive door that is rarely opened. The inner shrine is dedicated to Karupannaswamy, no image him is present.Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
8Kasi Viswanathar temple, Tenkasi18015th century CEBuilt by the Pandya kings, the massive gopuram of the temple is the second largest in Tamil Nadu. It is also known as Ulagamman Temple. This temple boasts beautiful sculptures and also has musical stone pillars that produce different sounds when tapped with fingers. The name of the town is derived from this temple, meaning "Kasi of the south". The Chittar River nearby is consider sacred, similar to the Ganges.Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu, India
8Annamalaiyar Temple
Northern Gopuram 		1719th century CEAnnamalaiyar Temple covers 10 hectares, and is one of the largest temples in India. It is surrounded by four large unpainted gopurams, one facing each cardinal direction. The northern gopuram is called the Ammani Amman Gopuram.Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India
9Meenakshi Amman Temple170870 CEMeenakshi Amman Temple houses 14 gopurams, ranging from 45m to 50m in height, the tallest being the southern tower at high. The temple has some very old sections but the largest part dates back to 17th century. The four gopuram are decorated with many figures from the Hindu pantheon and can be seen from great distances.Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
10Virupaksha Temple, main entrance gopuram16615th century CEVirupaksha Temple was built during the time of Vijayanagara Empire. It is part of the Group of Monuments at Hampi, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Hampi, Karnataka, India
11Sarangapani Temple16412th century CESarangapani Temple is the largest Vishnu temple in Kumbakonam. The inner shrine is made in the form of a stone chariot, a common feature for temples built under the Chola kings.Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India
12Annamalaiyar Temple
Southern Gopuram
1579th century CEAnnamalaiyar Temple covers 10 hectares, and is one of the largest temples in India. It is surrounded by four large unpainted gopurams, one facing each cardinal direction. The southern gopuram is called the Tirumanjana Gopuram.Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India
13Rajagopalaswamy Temple1541523-1575 CERajagopalaswamy Temple was started by Chola kings. Later, king Vijaya Raghava Nayak of the Vijayanagara Empire added the thousand pillar hall, the outer compound, and the large gopuram. Details of these constructions are recorded on inscriptions inside the temple.Mannargudi, Tamil Nadu, India
14Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Mangalagiri1531809 CELakshmi Narasimha Temple is dedicated to Vishnu. Its gopuram is eleven storeys tall. Mangalagiri means "The Auspicious Hill". This temple is built on one of the eight important Mahakshetrams in IndiaMangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh, India
15Annamalaiyar Temple
Northern Gopuram
1449th century CEAnnamalaiyar Temple covers 10 hectares, and is one of the largest temples in India. It is surrounded by four large unpainted gopurams, one facing each cardinal direction. The northern gopuram is called the Pei Gopuram.Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India
16Ranganathaswamy Temple,
Vellayi Gopuram		14413th Century CERanganathaswamy Temple one of the largest temple complexes in India, covering an area of. It is home to twelve gopurams, the second largest being the Vellayi Gopuram.Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, India
17Sankara Narayanan Temple, Sankaranayinarkoil, Sankarankovil12711th century CESankara Narayanan Temple is located in the town of Sankaranayinarkoil, and is dedicated to both Shiva and Vishnu.Sankarankovil, Tamil Nadu, India
18Nanjundeshwara Temple1209th century CEAlso known as Srikanteshwara Temple, dedicated to Shiva.Nanjangud, Karnataka, India

Tallest ''Vimana''

Vimanas are structures over the sanctum of temples. In Northern India they are called sikharas. In the Nagara style of architecture, the vimana is the sanctum of the temple housing the main deities and they are the tallest part of the entire temple. In many cases within South India, the vimanams are confused with gopurams. In Tamil Nadu, vimanams are present above the garbhagruha or sanctum sanctorum of a Hindu temple and will be relatively smaller in size compared to the gopurams, which are usually present at the entrance of the temple.
RankTempleImageHeight
ft		YearNotesLocation
1Chaturbhuj Temple34416th century CEBuilt by the Bundela Rajputs of the Orchha State in Central India, the temple blends styles of both ancient Nagara architecture and new Mughal influences. The temple is dedicated to Rama and is the tallest temple structure in India.Orchha, Madhya Pradesh, India
2New Vishwanath Temple2501966The Birla family undertook the construction and foundation was laid in March 1931. The temple was finally completed in 1966.Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
3Brihadeeswarar Temple21611th century CEThe Peruvudaiyar Koyil or Brihadeeswarar Temple, also known as Rajarajeswaram, at Thanjavur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is the world's first complete granite temple and a brilliant example of the major heights achieved by Cholas kingdom Vishwakarmas in dravidian temple architecture. It is a tribute and a reflection of the power of its patron RajaRaja Chola I. It remains as one of the greatest glories of Indian architecture. The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Great Living Chola Temples".Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
4Jagannath Temple, Puri2161174 C.EThe Jagannath Temple in Puri is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Jagannath and located in the coastal town of Puri in the state of Orissa, India. The name Jagannath is a combination of the Sanskrit words Jagat and Nath.
The temple was built in the 11th century atop its ruins by the progenitor of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva. The temple is famous for its annual Rath Yatra, or chariot festival, in which the three main temple deities are hauled on huge and elaborately decorated temple cars. Since medieval times, it is also associated with intense religious fervour.		Puri, Odisha, India
5Lingaraj Temple183.711th century CELingaraja Temple is a temple of the Hindu god Harihara and is one of the oldest temples of the Temple City Bhubaneswar, a revered pilgrimage center and the capital of the state of Orissa. The temple of Lingaraja, the biggest of all at Bhubaneswar is located within a spacious compound wall of laterite measuring 520 feet by 465 feet. The wall is 7 feet 6 inches thick and surmounted by a plain slant coping. Alongside the inner face of the boundary wall there runs a terrace probably meant to protect the compound wall against outside aggression.Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, India
6Brihadisvara temple, Gangankonda Cholapuram, Tamil Nadu18211th century CEThe Vimana with its recessed corners and upward movement presents a striking contrast to the straight-sided pyramidal tower of Thanjavur but with octagon shape of Dravidian architecture. As it rises to a height of 182 feet and is shorter than the Thanjavur tower with larger plinth, it is often described as the feminine counterpart of the Thanjavur temple.
The Vimana is flanked on either side by small temples; the one in the north now housing the Goddess is fairly well preserved. The small shrine of Chandikesvara is near the steps in the north. In the north-east are a shire housing Durga, a well called lion-well with a lion figure guarding its steps and a late mandapa housing the office. Nandi is in the east facing the main shrine. In the same direction is the ruined gopura, the entrance tower. The main tower surrounded by little shrines truly presents the appearance of a great Chakravarti surrounded by chieftains and vassals. The Gangaikondacholapuram Vimana is undoubtedly a devalaya chakravarti, an emperor among temples of South India.		Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Tamil Nadu, India
7Somnath Temple1551951Prabhas Patan, Gujarat, India
8Konark Sun Temple130 230 before ruin13th century CEKonark Sun Temple, was built in black granite by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 13th century, the temple is designed in the shape of a colossal chariot with 24 wheels drawn by seven horses and, carrying the Sun god, Surya, across the heavens. It is a stunning monument of religious Kalinga architecture. The large structure seen today is actually the mantapa. Of the main tower, which once stood in the front, only the remains can be seen. This tower was perhaps 230 feet tall, higher than any other temple in India.Konark, Odisha, India

Under construction

Planned height metres NameCompletionCityCountryComment
213 m Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir est. 2024VrindavanIt will be the tallest religious monument in the world once completed. At its potential cost of ₹300 crore it is likely to be one of the most expensive temples in the world.
123 m Viraat Ramayan Mandir est. 2023KesariaWhen completed, it will be the largest religious monument in the world. The Virat Ramayan Mandir will be almost double the height of the world-famous 12th century Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia.
49 m Ram Mandir, Ayodhya est. 2022Ayodhyaa Hindu temple that is being built at the pilgrimage site of Ram Janmabhoomi.
104 m Shri Mayapur Chandroya Mandir Temple of the Vedic Planetarium 2022MayapurAfter completion, the temple will be the biggest in the world, second to Angkor Wat in Cambodia.