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 134

A Survey of the Structural Temples of Pre-Caulukyan Times 79 lofty Saiva temples at Valabhi. 32 But none of the old temples seem to be in existence at present.
The Maitraka kings extended their patronage to Buddhist Vihāras which also enshrined images of the Buddha or the Baddhas. Many of the Vihāras mentioned in the grants were built at Valabhi but none of them have survived. In his records, 33 Hjuan Tsang refers to a number of Buddhist Vihāras in Bhārukaccha, Mālavā, Khetaka, Anandapura, Surāșțra and other parts of Gujarat, but we hardly come across the remains of any Vihāras of this period, 3 4
The Jain prabandhas refer to a number of Jain images removed from Valabhi. It implies the existence of some Jain temples in the city. A manuscript of the 'Višeșāvśyakabhāsya'
Valabhi inscriptions mention temples dedicated to goddesses Pānarājya or Pāndurāja ( MG, II. p. 374) and Kottammahikādevī (JBBR AS. xx. pp. 9-10). A reference to Pāņdurājya tirtha in Svabhra region is given in Padma Purāna 6, 166 (E. I, XVI, 17) and Kottammahikādevi (JBBRAS. xx. pp. 9-10 ), Dronasinha (A. D. 502-03 ) granted a village for the maintenance and up keep of the temple of first goddess. He also built a temple of Kottammahikādevi in the boundary of Trisamgamaka (modern Tarsania) (JBBRAS. XX. p. 6). The royal grant, once stopped was resumed and made permanent by Dhruvasena || alias Bālāditya (A. D. 639-40) and repaired the said temple (HIG. I, 67). Jackson narrates that a temple dedicated to Kottardevi existed at Tarsaniya when the copper-plates were found and edited by him; but the query made by Dr. H. G. Shastri does not support the statement (MG. II. 373 ). 32. Some of the old images of the lingas have been enshrined in the modern temples such as temple of Ratneśvara, Buddheśvara, Pragatanātha and Bhidabhanjana etc. at Vala ( MG. II. pp. 368.) 33. Bea!. Records Vol. 2 pp. 242 ff; Water's Travels, Vol. 2, pp. 239 ff. also M. G. II. pp. 396–405. 34. The vihāra noticed by Hiuan Tsang not far from Valabhi is presumably identified with the large cave at Talaja (Puratattava Vol. I. pp. 99 ff.) In that case the vihāra is rock-cut.