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
was in memory of Tripurantaka's benefactor Ganda Bṛhaspati, whose wife was named Uma; this lady too was not ignored since the third was built for her spiritual welfare and called Umeśvara; the remaining two temples, namely Tripurantakeśvara and Ramesvara were built after the names of the founder and his wife for the increase of their spiritual merits. Except one none of these temples exists.
The one extant temple in the group of temples built by Tripurantaka is situated at N. W. corner of the Somanatha shrine. It is suggested by Cousens (SMTK. p. 29) as one of the temples restored by Ra Mahipaladeva, the Cudasama king of Junagadh (early 15th cent. A. D.). Only the basement of this temple now survives.
In the reign of Bhima II, Sridhara, one of the officers, built temples of Kesava and Rohinisvāmī at Somanatha pattana 219 The name of the latter temple suggests that it was dedicated to Balarama (Balabhadra ), brother of Krisna.
In Vadali;* there is the Vaidyanatha temple. The temple has two inscriptions one of the inscriptions, dated V. S. 1264 (A. D. 1298), speaks about the rebuilding of its mandapa. The other inscription, dated V. S. 1329 (A. D 1273) on a stone pillar in the compound is about a grant to the temple.220
The temple is completely plastered with stucco. But the beautiful sculptures on pitha and mandovara exhibit its original form. The spire is of Ekānḍi type. The temple consists of
219. Sridhara's Devapaṭṭana Prasasti, El, II, 439; also Bhav. inscrip. Lines 34-36. p. 197; Fig. No. 163.
*11.2 kms. north of Idar: The place was known as Vata-palli in 12th cent. A. D.
220. AFIS. p. II Inscription on p. 45-46.