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 248

Structural Temples of the Caulukyan Period
193 Bhavanātha or Bhuvaneśvara Mahādeva temple at Desan* is an old one. It was many times rebuilt in the past as the existence of temple and Kunda, 277 is mentioned in the inscription278 of V. S. 1354 (A. D. 1298) in the Sun279 (now Rāmaji) temple in the compound which, according to above inscription was built in the time of Karņa Vāghela. There is a large image of bull of grey stone marble 1.5 m. long, lying in the compound, which must surely have been belonged to an earlier temple. 280
Sculpture and panels present various forms of Vişņu and depict several scenes from Kșisņa's life. Some of the stray sculptures may represent the temples of Vişņu or Kșişņa having been erected during the rule of Caulukyan and Vaghela danasty in Gujarat. The Anāvadā stone inscription281 of Sārangadeva of V. S. 1348 ( A. D. 1296) attests to the existence of Kțișna worship in Gujarat
Temples built during 13th cent. A. D.
Dhinjoj (Dist. Mehsana) has an old temple of Vyāghreśvari now known as Khamalãi.
This temple faces the east and seems to have been rebuilt. The portions of the original left undistrubed are the maņdapa and the pillars, which are of old pattern, The dome is in Muhmedan style. The course in the basement, ususlly filled by a close line of elephants, is here almost plain but divided up by half pillarettes into small spaces, in a very few of which
* 28-8 kms. N.E. of Himatnagar. ( Dist. Sabarkantha) 277. The Kunda is a famous place of miraculous cure for leprosy. 278. AFIS. p. 47. 279. In the inscription the sun temple is named as temple of Munjālaswāmīdeva. 280. AFIS. pp. 19, 20. Plt. XXIX. no 56. 281. Ind. Ant. XLI. pp. 20-21.