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 156

Structura! Temples of the Caulukyan Period
101 A small ante-chamber or porch is formed in front of the shrine,, and the door-way of the latter is elaborately carved on the jambs, lintel and architrave, but it has been much damaged by the iconoclast. The figure sculpture on the middle of the lintel indicates it to be a Saiva temple, and a boldly cut Kirttimukha projects from the upper cornice.
The shrine or garbha-gļiha is 3.3 ms. square inside, and its floor is somewhat lower than that of Sabha-maņdapa. Outside, its walls are much broken up by numerous projections, which lie in a circle of about 7.4 ms. in diameter and among which are seven recesses for images, facing so many of the 8 points of Hindu compass-that on the east being the entrance of the shrine 15
The old temples at Sunak, Delmal and Kasara (in Mehsana District) appear earlier than the Sun temple (A. D. 1026-27) at Modhera. 16
The temple of Nilakantha Mahadeva at Sunak* contains the usual Śiva linga but whether this is the original or not is impossible to say. The doorway of the shrine, on the lintel of which the dedicatory symbol is carved, has been reconstructed, and, in fact much of the temple appears to have been rebuilt.
15. Ibid. pp. 95-96. 16. Burgess. AANG. p. 106.
The temple of Thakkur Mahadeva at Sunak received a grant of land from Karņa I in V. S. 1148 (1091-92 A. D.) El. I, 316. * 14.4 Kms. S. S. W. from Siddhpur & 8 Kms. west from Unjha. ( Dist. Mehsana )
The date of the temple at Sunak has raised interesting controversies. According to Burgess along with the temples at Delmal and Kasara it possibly belongs to the century previous to the date of Sun temple at Modhera ( AANG, p. 106). Dr. H. D. Sankalia, however, ascribes it to the 11th cent. (AG, p. 74) on the basis of the Copper-plate grant of land received by Thakkur Mahadeva temple from Karņa l in V. S. 1148 (1091-92 A. D.) (E. 1. I. 316). Shri A. K. Majmudar on stylistic