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 As regards the orientation of temples in relation to the places which they surrounded, it is hardly possible at present to ascertain howfar the canons were observed in the case of old temples, since the present site of the place does not necessarily represent its original site.
But the orientation of the extant temples may be compared to that prescribed in the different works on architecture. In the beginning the Aparājitapracchā enjoins that the sun temples should face the east, 9 but later on it permits that Sürya like Brahmā, Vişnu, Śiva and other deities may face east and west as well.10 The latter canon is also prescrtbed by the Prāsādamandana. 11 It may be noted here that most of the extant sun temples in Gujarat face east. while a few others face west.
The temples of Brahmä, Visņu and Siva also are expected to face east and west.12 The temple of Brahma at Khedbrahma faces east. As for the temples of Vişņu the pre-Caulukyan temple at Kadvar faces east, while the later temples of Dwarkadhisa at Dwarka and of Vişņu at Odadar face west. However the Rāma and: Laxamaņa temples at Bardia face north and south respectively.13 This forms an exception to the general rule given in Aparajitapracchā and Prāsādamandana. But it may be applied to the general rule given in the Mānasāra to the effect that the temples of Vişņu may be built in the four quarters and that generally they should face the village. 14
9. APPR. CXXXIV, 2. 10. lbid. 7. 11. PM. II. 37. 12. APPR. CXXXIV, 7. 13. At present there are no images in these temples. 14. Mānasāra, IX, 129.