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 168

Structural Temples of the Caulukyan Period
113 inserted into the new temple, which contains bold carvings of the Avatāras of Vişņu and a panel of Navagrahas above the door lintel.
At Khandosana (Dist. Mehsana) there is an old temple47/1 in the vicinity of the temple dedicated to Hingolajā Mātā. Formerly it lay hidden in the bush. But the structure is now cleaned. On noticing the architectural form of the temple it becomes obvious that this temple is definitely older than the Hingolajā Māta temple which belongs to the 12th century A. D. In plan it closely resembles the Kasara sanctuaries mentioned above. The temple has got two garbha-gộihas arranged at a right angle and provided with a common mandapa in the middle. One of the sanctuarjes faces West while the other faces South. The entrance to the Maņdapa is accordingly on the West as well as on the South. Each sanctuary measures 1.8 X 1.8 ms. and the top lintel of the door-frame bears a panel of the nine planets, with Gaņeśa in the centre. The two door-jambs contain figures of females carrying water-pots, probably, representing Gangā and Yamunā. The central Mandapa measures 4.3 X 4.3 ms. The Maņdapa is covered with a ceiling marked with a lotus petal design in the centre. Above the ceiling lies the usual Samarāņa. The garbhagļiha has each a śikhara above it. From the architectural style the temple may be assigned to the 10th cent. A. D.
Mula Dvarka (Dist. Junagadh) is marked by a soliditary dilapidated shrine48 standing on a rock and not used in worship. The shrine cannot be anterior to the loth Cent. A. D.49
47/1. Here Figs. 69, 222. 48. The situation of this shrine, curious to say, corresponds the description of the old Dvārkā given in Bhāgvat Purāņa, in that it is the only structure left on the spot. When Dvārkā was submerged in sea after the passing away of Lord Kșişhņa only one building is said to have been spared. (XI 31. 23 ) 49. ARAB. 34-35 pp. 16-17; plt No. IV.