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 140

A Survey of the Structural Temples of Pre-Caulukyan Times 85 consists of a cella, an antechamber, a Gudhamanqapa and a porch, The maņdapa is supported by 12 square corbelled and massive pillars. The temple is plain in construction and built of huge blocks of stones. 4 2 2 1
The spire over the cella is pyramidal in shape consisting of twelve thin tiers ( kandorās ), the top-most number being lost. The antechamber is covered by Sukanāsa while the roof of the Gūdhamandapa is flat.
There is also a detached catuṣki located near this temple. It is an interesting peice of architecture. On a stylobate (Pithikā) of this catuṣki there are four 'bhadraka' type pillars (i, e. pillars with central off sets). The lower portion of each pillar bears two niches at two exterior right angular sides; the upper portion of the shaft is adorned with bharaṇi and Sirsa.
From the style of carving on the pillars of both these structures i. e. the temple as well the catuski they seem to be of the same date as that of Roda Temples. 42; 23.
The Old Temple at Than (Dist. Surendranagar ).
This temple is smaller in size. The porch is extinct and the Sikhara is totally collapsed. Except some minor differences this old temple looks very similar to those of Roda. Dr. Sankalia has placed this temple after the one at Sutrapada.42/a But the pieces of the collapsed Sikhara lying scattered about the temple are adorned with carvings (of jālaka ) which have close 42/21. ARAB. 39. p. 8. para 21, For plt. see AB. plt. XXII. 42'22. Shri M. A. Dhaky in his papers on 'The chronology of Solanki temples in Gujarat' (Journal of the Madhyapradesh Itihasa Parishad No. 3, 1961 ( Bhopal) has put this temple along with the temples at Roda group and the old temple at Than etc. in the Formative group of the Early Nāgara phase which he assigns to the early part of the 8th cent. A. D. (Ibid p. 3) 42 a. AG. p. 61.