Gold as a decorative material for exteriors/interiors

How many of us would think Gold as a decorative material for exteriors/interiors of a building? Well, lemme give my answer - very few!! Nevertheless, you do find buildings/temples/monuments and the likes, plated with gold, at least some portions if not the whole structure. Although gold is a precious metal and comes with a high cost, its characteristics like non-corrosive, ductile, malleable, shiny looks etc., makes gold a good option for exteriors as well. I've visited couple of temples made of gold and I must confess its a treat to watch those structures with the glittering yellow metal. I've listed some of the structures plated with gold and there are more palaces and structures:

1. Tirupati - Thirumala Balaji/Venkateswara Temple
2. Vellore - Sripruam - Lakshmi Narayani Temple
3. Chidambaram Natarajar Kovil
   
4. Amrissar - Harmandir Sahib - Golden Temple
5. Goa - Basilica_of_Bom_Jesus - Interiors decorated with Gold
6. Japan- Kyoto - Kinkaku-ji
   
7. Jerusalem - Mosque - Dome of the Rock
8. Moscow - Cathedral of the Annunciation
9. Rome - St Mark's Basilica
10. Iraq - Al-Askari Mosque
    

When you talk about temples in India and gold, not mentioning Panchaloha would make the point incomplete. As it was a common practice to make the idols of the deity with a mixture of 5 metals. This alloy form is called Panchaloha comprising - Gold, Silver, Bronze, Copper and Iron.

Srikanth Ramu