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 at Gop, but the workmanship is coarser, the caitya niches being left blank are without the rich detail. Instead of the straight sloping corners, seen between the niches at Gop, we find here ornamental curves similar to the heavy mouldings in early Chalukyan and Dravidian building of approximately the same age. The Caitya-niches however, still preserve the single loop and have not yet developed into the triple loop or Trefoil form as in the Sutrapada temple, but we have here the ribbed amalasāra beneath the finial as in the last. 4 2
During my recent visit to Saurashtra I came across some* unnoticed temples along the Western Coast of the peninsula. Architecturally these temples have in plan and design a close affinity with the temples of Sutrapada and Visavada. They all, probably seem to have been built during this period. Many of these temples are dedicated to the Sun and some to Siva or Sakti. They are either singular or grouped into four or five or sometimes even more then seven temples in number.
The temples dedicated to the Sun at Balej 4 2/1, Pata 42 %, Suvan421 (Varvada), Srinagar 4 2/4, Pindara 4 215, Boricha 4216, Akhodar4 217 and Pasanavada 4 218 are singular. Of these the Sun temples at Pindara, Boricha and Akhodar comprise only single square cells, while those at Balej, Pata, Suvan (Varvada), Srinagar and Pasanavada consist of square garbhagļihas at times surrounded by Pradaksiņāpathas and single Maņņupas attached to them in front, giving a rectangular shape to the whole structure. The garbhagriha is usually square in plan while the mandapa is either square or rectangular. Each of these temples
42 SMTK. pp. 44-45 * For a detailed description vide Appendix 'A' 42 1. Here Fig. 6.
42/2. Here Fig. 7. 42/3. Here Fig. 8.
42/4. Here Figs. 10, 11. 42/5. Here Fig. 13.
42/6. Here Fig. 14. 42/7. Here Figs. 15, 16.
42/8; Here Fig. 17.