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

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The Structral Temples of Gujaratu in the east and their Kingdom included almost the whole of Gujarat except parts of South Gujarat. They reigned for about three centuries. (the fall of their power being dated v. s. 845 (A. D. 788).
The Maitrakas were generally followers of Sajvism. They issued a number of grants of lands to Brahamans. A few of the grants recorded in their copper-plates were made to temples of Mahadeva, 29 Āditya, 30 and Goddesses.31 The ruins of the old city of Valabhi, have yeilded a number of big images of the linga and nandi which also imply the existence of several 29. In Surastra at Vatapiada a temple dedicated to Śiva was built by one Harinātha, Śilāditya Dharmaditya (A. D. 609) granted two pieces of land and a vāpi (step-well) to the said temple. (Ind. Ant. IX, 238; MG. pt. II, 368). In the copper-plate of Dhruvasena ll, there is a reference as to the temple known as Bhatrisvara in the Koņaka Pathaka of Khetaka Ahāra, (MG. ft. Il. p. 370; HIG. vol. I No. 64)
A Gurjara record of the Maitraka period refers to the temple of Āśramadeva at Kemajju which is represented by Kimoja near Kavi in Broach District. In the vicinity of the village there exists a temple of Āśameśvara corresponding to Aśramadeva. The temple enshrines an old lirga of Siva but the construction of the temple is of recent origin. (Ind. Ant. Vol. V. p. 109-10; MG. Pt. II. p. 370) 30. The existence of Sun-worship and Sun-temples is supported by the copper-plate of the year 292 (611-A. D.) issued by King Silāditya | alias Dharmāditya to a Sun-temple at Bhadreņiyaka (Saurastra ) (El. xxi. 116; HIG. vol. I, 59. A). The Dhank grant of this king which records the gift of land dedicated to Mahādeva temple at Vațapadra, also mentions a vāpi belonging to the temple of Adityadeva while enumerating the four borders of the plots donated (Ind. Ant. IX. 238, HIG. I. 57). 31. A temple of goddess Sankarikā in Sirvātānaka-sthali in Saurastra is referred to in a copper-plate of Dharasena III ( c. 621-627 A. D., WMR. 1925-26 p. 14; JBBRAS. (NS) 4, 185; El. 21. 183; HIG. | 61) aid a copper plate of Silāditya IV ( c. 685-710 A. D.) refers to Mātristhānaka Ksetra i. e. temples dedicated to Goddesses in Madasarasthali, Saurastra (JBBRAS (NS) I. 53; HIG. I. 65).