Symbolically, the entrance of a temple or Gopura represents the feet of the presiding Deity. All devotees everyone bow downs to touch the floor at the entrance of the temple, the entrance floor representing the Deity’s feet, before stepping into the temple, towards the sanctum. Leaving the world of contraction behind. 

Initially, temples were built on the outskirts of the village or city but with shifting time Temple became the landmark of the land. A land was recognized by its Palaces or temples. As palaces were a major target during an invasion or assault, temples became the primary landmark for travelers and passengers.

During those days the temples graciously welcomes travelers and provided them shelter and protection to travelers during their long journeys. They eased the traveler’s burden, it was a place of peace, and travelers used to rest. Before they commence on their journey they would pay their respect to the deity and begin.

In order to make the location easily recognizable for the travelers, taller Gopurams were built, making them visible from large distances. This paved the way for colossal Gopurams. The taller they were the further away they were visible. 

As a kingdom became increasingly more prosperous, so do the threat of invasion from neighboring countries and their invading armies, the temple cities were haste to expedient to erect a series of protective walls to defend and safeguard their temples, cities, and palaces. The Gopuras constructed on the gateways leading from one enclosure to the next, initially, served as watchtowers for defense.

With moving times, the temples getting a lot of attraction, they became the focal point for the city, as the age of temple city arrived. During these times the cities we heavily expanded upon, so were the temples, they were gold plated, structures remodeled and temple grounds expanded. Temple also represented their hosting King and his Kingdom’s wealth. To showcase their wealth further they would expand the grounds of the Temple and build bigger, more majestic Gopurams. 

Between the 12th and 16th centuries, Hindu temples increasingly became the center of the city, becoming the Hub of Urban life. Gopurams received heavy emphasis, they were heavily decorated, showcasing the culture, design, and skills of the time. As they served as Gateways became a prominent feature of the Temple’s exterior appearance and overshadowed the main Sanctuary, as they became obscured from view under the colossal size of the Gopuram. It also dominated the inner sanctum in the amount of ornamentation.