Rajaraja Cola built the outer gopuram in 1010 AD It was called Keralantakan vasal after one of his titles. It is a five storeyed structure; the first three storeys are built of granite stones and the upper storeys are built of brick and mortar. The first floor carries niches for housing stone images of various gods originally but the south and northern faces house some sculptures like Daksinamurti and Brahma while the other are empty. An insight into the engineering skill and the technique of constructing multi stored buildings under the Colas could be had, by climbing, the first storey.

The stucco figures on the upper tiers of the gopuram were added in the 17th century, by the Nayaka rulers of Tanjavur. On the Eastern face are Kali, Urdhva Tandava and aspects of Siva and his family. Krsna and Visnu and his manifestations are figured inside, on the western face. 

Rajaraja Cola built the outer gopuram in 1010 AD It was called Keralantakan vasal after one of his titles. It is a five storeyed structure; the first three storeys are built of granite stones and the upper storeys are built of brick and mortar. The first floor carries niches for housing stone images of various gods originally but the south and northern faces house some sculptures like Daksinamurti and Brahma while the other are empty. An insight into the engineering skill and the technique of constructing multi stored buildings under the Colas could be had, by climbing, the first storey.

The stucco figures on the upper tiers of the gopuram were added in the 17th century, by the Nayaka rulers of Tanjavur. On the Eastern face are Kali, Urdhva Tandava and aspects of Siva and his family. Krsna and Visnu and his manifestations are figured inside, on the western face.