It is the head of the tower resembling the peak of a mountain and so it is called śikhara. The shape of the śikhara varies, as square, octagonal, circular, house shoe, etc. Depending on the shape of the śikhara, the temple towers are classified as Nagara Vesara, gaja preshtam sala or Dravidam. The Tanjavur Vimāna is brought under Dravida class. The śikhara is the fifth element of the temple aṅga.