The entrance tower or the 'Gopura' 'Gopuram' in Tamil. These are invariably majestic structures at the main entance of the temples in South India. Sometimes there are four of them one each of the four directions. The gopurams are studded with the statues of Gods and Godesses and have scenes of stories from the epics depicted thru statues. The Gopurams are quite colourful and the colour combibations a photographers delight.
This is the Gopuram aka 'Raja Raja Tiruvasal' of the Brihadeeshwara temple in Tanjavoor. A Chola era masterpice built during the reign of the mighty Chola king Raj Raja in 1010. Not so tall as the Vimana of this temple which is really towering at about 220 feet plus but gigantic and majestic all the same.
I have always wanted to photograph this majestic Gopuram against the warm and golden colour of the setting Sun when the Gopuram gets bathed with a shower of the golden light. I think Brihadeeshwara heard my prayers and my wish was granted. That day there were innumerable groups of children who had come to see this magnificent temple. Good sign that the scools are arranging excursions to this temple. I am sure the kids would have appreciated the magnificence of this temple. Hopefully they may come back again for a deeper study. I decided to take this shot with the stream of kids getting past the tower.
