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 192

Structural Temples of the Caulukyan Period
137 cells possibly in situ have been turned into a mosque about 5.3 ms. in length. At the back of the court there is also one cella with a spire over it. 103
The work known as Upadesatarangini of Ratnamandira, 15th Cent. A, D and a Kavita by Lalla Bhatta, though in an exaggarative tone, describe the temple of Rudramahālaya having 1700 pillars, 1800 female sculptures and nearly 17000 figures of elephants and horses in different poses carved in Narathara an Gajathara bands around the Pitha i. e. basement of the temple. It also narrates that Siddharāja placed the life-size sculptures of Aśvapati, Gajapati and Narapati praying to the God in the temple, 104
While narrating the completion of Rudramahalaya Merutunga states that the height of the temple was twenty three cubits. 105
The next great achievement of Siddharāja was the excavation of the Sahasralinga lake which was so named because it contained a thousand Śiva linga shrines around it. Some of them were, however, dedicated to other deities also. The Dvāśraya refers to the shrine of Daśāvatāra (ten incarnation of Vişņu ) as built by Siddharaja.106 The Sarasvati Purāņa locates it on the South-west of the Sahasralinga lake.109 The Dvāśraya records that lake contajned 108 shrines of goddesses and a tample of Daśāvatāra in addition to 1008 shrines of Siva. 108 The Purāña refers to some other shrines as well. In the centre of the lake was an inlet, upon which was erected a temple of Rudreśvara.
103. Ibid. pp. 50-60; also plts. XXXVIII, VI, XXIX. 104. K. B. Dave. Kumar No. 400. pp. 213-214. 105. P. C (Guj. Translation ). p. 90. 106. DV. XV, V. 119. 107. Sarasvati Purāņa, XVI, V. 162. 108. DV. XV, W, 114, 117-119.