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
shrine remains. Of the middle one also only the shrine remains standing; on the walls are carved a figure of Surya on the west face, and Śardūlas in the recesses, Varaha has fallen of from the South wall, and there is a figure of Ganapati on the lintel, which seems to have been used in Saurastra, on Sun temples as well as those of Śiva. Of the third temple a portion of the porch as well as the shrine remains. Over the head of the shrine door are carved the nine-grahas. On the north wall outside is Nṛisinha, and on the west Viṣṇu, both much time-worn.
To the N. E. of this group are fragments of two other temples facing west. These are very simple and much plain temples. 55
*Kheda (Khedakot) has an old Śiva (Lakheśvara) temple of, perhaps, the end of the 10th cent. A. D. thrown down by the earthquake. The shrine still stands, and measures 2.6 ms. square inside, with walls 0-9 ms. thick, surrounded by a pradkṣiṇāpatha, or path for circumambulation, 0-9 m. wide, the Vimana measuring 7.4 ms. over all. This temple has been built partly of red and partly of yellowish very hard stone. Of the mandapa which was 5.7 ms. wide, only a part of the north wall with one window in it is left; all the rest is a heap of ruins, and the amlasila of the Sikhara lies outside, a block about 2 ms. in diameter. The sculptures on the walls are not numerous, but have been superior to the usual run of such work and the elaborate ornamental work on the faces of the spire has been largely undercut; it represents the Caitya window, repeated over a triangular face, with human figures between. Of these triangles of sculpture there are eight on each side, gradually diminshing in size as they rise higher and higher, one behind another, like so many gable ends. The corners of the shrine are surmounted by miniature spires,
55. AKK. pp. 214-215.
*20.8 Kms. south of Bhuj in Kaccha. It is an ancient Kapilakota, the capital of Rā'Lākhā.