Ranganatha Temple, Srirangam
Like most temples in India, this gopuram displays a palace model in the center of its upper course. It happens so often that most people hardly even notice it. But what does it mean? Well, people everywhere imagine their gods live in heavenly palaces, much like earthly kings, and look down from heaven upon their worshipers. But in India there is a different kind of fractal metaphysics involved, in the idea that every point in the universe is a potential seed of the divine.
The white and orange markings to the right and left of the entranceway are Vishnu tilak. For comparison, the photo on the right shows another Vishnu tilak from inside the temple. I like to call these "tuning forks," although that is just because I am very naughty.
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