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 the canons and use of architecture were in decadence. This is also shown by the ill-proportioned size of the front porch. To this may be added the fact that it is not a typical sun-temple, because it has Gaņeśa on the lintel of the shrine door-way, and the niches round the shrine have figures of Laxami-Nārāyaṇa, Śiva-Pārvati and Brhama-Sarsyati.
As shown by the plan, it consists of a shrine with a Pradaksiņāmārga and Güdhamaņdapa, and has a small porch in front. Inside, the shrine is very simple and has a small image of sūrya. Its door-frame has on one side a panel of gods; the shaft is otherwise bare; above the lintel there is a panel of Navagrahas, and on the lintel itself there is an image of Ganapati,
Outside, the shrine walls are simple, compared with those at Modhera. The only ornament is the aśvathara on the pitha (base); the kumbhi has niched-gods and goddesses, separated by intervals. So also the janghā of the wall has fewer figures. Above this there is a band of kirtimukhas, and the cornice. Like the Modhera temple the pradaksināmārga has no windows, but niches which contain figures of gods and goddesses.
The mandapa has a row of six pillars in the centre, and four pilasters on each side which once supported the roof above. The central ceiling of this roof has lost its middle portion, but the remainder is decorated with kirtimukhas which is totaly dissimilar from the earlier decoration 10/a
The Sikhara is interesting too. Not only the shrine but also the porch-Sikhara is surrounded by a group of smaller Sikharas up to some height; while on the main Sikhara figures of Surya and others are found up to a height never noticed in other temples except those which are known to be late 11
10/a. Here figs. 135, 136 11. AG. pp. 91-92.