Vimana (architectural feature)

[1][2] In North Indian temple architecture texts, the superstructure over the garbhagriha is called a shikhara.

However, in South Indian Hindu architecture texts, the term shikhara means a dome-shaped crowning cap above the vimana.

[3] A typical Hindu temple in Dravidian style have gopuram in the four cardinal directions i.e. East - main entrance, North and south - side entrances, West - only opened on auspicious days where it is believed we will go directly to Heaven.

The sanctum sanctorum and its towering roof (the central deity's shrine) are also called the vimana.

Historical evidence states that during the ninth century, Parantaka I funded covering this vimana with ornamental gold and it retains its glory even today.