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 Structural Temples of Gujarat
alludes the temple of Santinatha at Valabhi, but none of the old Jain temples also exist at present.35 However, some of the existing old temples in Gujarat seem to have been constructed during the Maitraka period. The celebrated temple of Somnath at Prabhas was reconstructed several times during Caulukya period, but the original temple seems to have been constructed during the reign of Maitrakas. 36 Even the stone temple was subsequently demolished so frequently that the existing remains of its structure could hardly give any distinct idea of its original form during the Maitraka period. The Muslim chroniclers give some description of the temple and the image enshrined in it but it does not good hold in detail. The traditional account of the large linga and the lofty temple gives some idea of the magnificence of the temple but does not supply adequate data about its architectural form.
The Surviving temples of the period of the Maitraka Gurjara rule (c. 470 A. D.-788 A. D.) are the old Sun temples at Sutrapada, Visavada38 and Than in Saurastra, a group of temples at Roda and old sun temple at Samalaji in Sabarkantha District.
The temple at Sutrapada39 (Dist. Junagadh) explains the plan of the shrine at Gop where the outer walls of the
35. MG. II, pp. 422-423, 493
36. It's version in stone seems to have been built at the beginning of the Caulukya period on the model of the wooden prototype which is generally assigned to the Maitraka period. (SMTK. p. 18; Munsi K. M. Guj. and its literature p. 76; BG. I. 164; D. K. Shastri "Śaiva Dharamano Samkṣipta Itihasa' pp. 147-148; GMRI. pp. 202-203) The assumption is corroborated by the remains of the pre-Caulukyan basement unearthed by the excavation at the site of the old temple of Somnatha (Somnatha, Souvenir p. 89)
37. Nearly 13 Kms. from Somanatha patan, along the coast to SE. 38. 24 Kms. to N. W. of Porbandar.
39. SMTK p. 41 plts. XL & XLI. Here Figs. 3 & 218