Structural Temples of Gujarat

SR No.: 006728
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kantilal F Sompura
Publisher: Gujarat University Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 1968
Total Pages: 868
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 31 MB

Page 105

50
The Structural Temples of Gujarat sanctum surmounted by a high curvilinear tower and a square maņdapa which is called in Orissa Jagmohana while later on were added in the same axis two other halls known as NataMaņdapa (dancing hall) and Bhoga-Maņdapa (hall for offerings ). These halls were single storeyed structures raised on a plinth and the elevation of each consisted of two parts cubical below and pyramidal above. The tower stood on a similar plinth and upright cubical base, above which its part resolved into the tall curvilinear portion, the flat ribbed disc (amalaka ) and the finial (Kalasa ) as the crowning piece. The Orissa style is characterised by its general astylar construction, plain interior and a lavishly-decorated exterior,
The Parsurāmieśvara temple and the Vaitāl Deul temple (both of c. eighth century ), the Mukteśvara temple (c. 975 ) are some of the earliest examples, but the finest and most majestic of the Orissan temples is the Lingarāja temple at Bhuvanesvara, built in c. 1000. Originally it comprised only the Viman (towered sanctum) and the Jagmohana, while the Nata-and Bhogamandapas were added later. The famous temples of Jagannātha at Puri (11th cent.), the temple of Rājarāni and Ananta Vasudeva are also remarkable. But by far the grandest achievement cf the Orissa School was the Sun temple at Konārka, dating from the middle of thirteenth century. Built on a high plinth, conceived as a wheeled chariot dragged by seven rearing horses, this colossal temple originally consisted of a lofty Vimāna with three subsidiary shrines attached, a large Jagmohana (30-5 X 30.5 ms ) with a pyramidal roof and a detached nața--maņdapa of which oniy the Jagmohana preserved in an extensive courtyard (264 x 164.7 ms.) 1 (ii) The Temples Of Rajsthan (c. 800-1200 A.D.)
The group of small Jain and Brahmanical temples of Osia (near Jodhapur ) dating from 8th to 12th centuries contain two remarkable temples-the temple of Harihar? (c. 8th cent.) and 1. A. I pp. 97-99 2. JABH p. pl. LXXXV opp. p. 135