DWARAMS OF SRIVARI TEMPLE AT TIRUMALA
The 13th century temple complex of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala has been extended, renovated and refurbished over several centuries. The Mahadwaram popularly referred to as the Padi Kavali Maha Dwara or Outer Gopuram stands out as a spectacular specimen of tall structures of all Hindu temple shrines in the country. Standing on a quadrangular base its architecture belongs to the later Chola period. The grand gopuram comprised of several Tamil inscriptions of the 13th century and speak of the glory of the rulers and the richness of the culture and society of those days. There are a number of stucco figures of Vaishnava gods like Hanuman, Kevale Narasimha and Lakshmi Narasimha on the gopuram indicating the prevalence of the Vaishnavite cult of worship in the region. “The TTD has a special wing set up to take care of maintenance and repairs of all the structures in the Main shrine which include several sub temples, Mandapams and Dwarams (Gopurams)” says the Temple Dy.E.O Sri...