gopuram
(also gopura, Tamil: கோபுரம்) Main gateway; the imposing temple-gateway (cf. dvara); the storeyed structure over the entrance or entrances through the enclosing walls th the premises of a temple, palace or city.
The principal is the one on the east; there ought to be a gōpuram also on the south; those on the north and the west are optional.
The door vayil or vasal (வாயில் or வாசல்) is ordinarily twice as hight as it wide. The height is often considerable. The two shutters (flaps of a door) are made of wood and have partitions.
Gopura (Brihadesvara Temple in Thanjavur)
