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 242

Structural Temples of the Caulukyan Period
At present no temple exists under this name at Dabhoi. But the name of the architect is found incised in the temple now known as that of Kalikāmātā. A later inscription dated 1734. A. D. too, seems to refer to Kalika as the deity of the temple.253 It is possible that the extant temple to the north of the Hiragate represents the old Vaidyanatha temple, and that in course of time the latter may have turned into the temple of Kalikāmātā. However, it is also probable that the ruined shrine, on the southern side of the Hiragate represents the Vaidyanatha temple while the temple on the Northern side may have belonged to Kalikāmātā from the beginning. Tradition ascribes the erection of both these temples to king Viradhavala or Visaladeva. The appearance of the name of the architect of Vaidyanatha temple in the temple of Kālikāmātā may corroborate this assumption.
The Southern portion of the Vaidyanatha temple is practically gone excepting a small portion of the base of the shrine. 25 The northern portion of temple (which is at present known as Kālikāmātā temple), however, is in a much better condition and the sculptures carved on it are interesting. The carving shows four string courses of different patterns. One of them, which is at the top, at once catches the eye of the spectator. The projecting frieze has three principal members: the lower one is carved with half rosettes, the second with chakwas, and the third with a procession of elephants, men, camels, etc.. There is a thin cornice above this string course. The portion above it is more richly carved, the surface being literally overlaid with ornaments. Four balcony windows spring out of this surface resting on richly carved brackets and provided with projecting and sloping roofs. Between the brackets supporting the sill of the window there is carved in bold relief an elephant with his rider surrounded by horsemen, The temple has three storeys, the shrine proper being on the first
253. RD. p. 19, Inscription v. 4.
254. RD. Plt. VII. Here Fig. 129.
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