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 283

228
The Structural Temples of Gujarat At Broach there are three old sites dedicated to Devi worship belonging probably of 15th or 16th Cent. A. D. Simhavāhani or Sindhavai Mātā temple is perhaps the oldest one. The Vallabhabhatt Devi temple is of V. S. 1662 (A, D, 1606). The temple of Ganganātha Mahadeva has old images of Ambamāta and Umiyāmātā. Ambāji is described as Kankeśvari Mātā in Revāpurāņa.85
Samalaji (Dist. Sabarkantha) is at present associated with Vişnu worship but originally the site was pre-eminently Saivita 8 6 probably under the influence of the Lakulisa cult. The present shrine of Samalaji is a mediaeval one, dating possibly from 16th Cent, A. D. The image in the sanctum obviously represented the Trivikrama, form of Vişnu which was later known as Ranchhodaji in Gujarat and Rajasthan. The temple is full of ornamental sculptures inside as well as outside. The carvings contain images of Gods and Goddesses and illustrations of some incidents from the Rāmāyaṇa and from the life of Kșişhņa. 8 7
There is a small shrine on the way to Mesavo river from the samalaji temple where a late Gupta standing Gaņeśa image is still in worship. 85. G. H. Desai, ‘Bharucha Saherano Itihāsa'. (1914 ) pp. so ff. 86. From the compound of the temple a beautiful old Bull, vigorously carved has been recovered. It obviously dates from c. coth ent A. D. and is one of the best animal sculptures of Gupta age. Opposite the Samalaji shrine is the Khakachoka area. On one end of this Chowk there is a temple of Trailokyanātha where a beautifal Saivite sculpture, obviously not originally belonging to the shrine, is in worship. Another almost similar sculpture was found from the adjacent small shrine. This sculpture as well as the aforesaid Bull have been removed to Prince of Wales Museum, Bombay. To the north of Khaka chowk, is a small Śiva shrine (Kāśiviśveśara temple ) with an Ekmukha-Śiva-Linga, in the sanctum still in worship. The linga (of Schist ) dates from c. 7th cent. A. D. (SSR. p. 36). 87. AFIS. Plts. XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII, IX. Nos. 35 to 42. Here Figs. 146-150.