Which famous architectural temple is in the south?
One of the most famous architectural temples in the South, and a world-renowned example of Dravidian architecture, is the **Brihadeeswarar Temple** in **Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu**.
Here is what makes it so famous:
* **Architectural Marvel:** It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built entirely of granite by the Chola Emperor Raja Raja Chola I in the early 11th century.
* **Towering Structure:** Its *vimana* (the tower above the main shrine) is approximately 66 meters (216 feet) high, making it one of the tallest temple towers in the world.
* **Engineering Feat:** The *kumbam* (the bulbous structure) at the very top of the *vimana* is said to be carved out of a single piece of granite weighing around 80 tons, and its placement at such a height centuries ago remains a subject of architectural wonder.
Other notable and famous architectural temples in South India include:
* **Meenakshi Amman Temple** in Madurai, Tamil Nadu (famous for its towering, colorfully sculpted *gopurams* or gateway towers).
* **Shore Temple** in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu (one of the oldest structural stone temples in South India, from the Pallava dynasty).
* **Virupaksha Temple** in Hampi, Karnataka (a stunning example of Vijayanagara architecture).