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 Matsya Purāņa refers to a general classification of temples into three types Jyestha, Madhya and Kanistha-according to the difference between the sizes of the temples and Llngas. 111
It also describes 20 kinds of varieties of temples and enumerates their corresponding names. 112 They are similar to those enumerated by Br. Sm.
The Bhavisya Purāṇa113 strickly follows the types of temples discussed by Matsya Purāna.
Agni Purāņa divides temples into five classes according to the different shapes of the ground plan and subdivides each class into nine varieties, the grand total of the varieties being ultimately 45. After enumerating the corresponding names of the types the work states that these names apply to Lāta and others.
Garuda Purāņa 115 follows the scheme given by Ag. P. with slight differences in certain names of the types of the temples.
Visnudharmottara Purāṇa116 enumerates as many as 101 types of temples, 100 in adhyāya 86 and one Sarvotobhadra in ad. 87. The first variety namely Himavata seems to be the main type of which the remaining 99 are variations.
Vişvakarmā prakāșa enumerates 20 types of temples. 117 111. M. P. CCLXIX. 26. 112. They are :- Meru, Mandāra, Kailasa, Kumbha, Simha, Mriga, VimānaChhandaka, Catursra, Astāšra, Sodaśra, Vartula, Sarvabhadraka, Simbasya, Nandana, Nandivardhan, Hansa, Vrisa, Suvarņesa, Padmaka, and Samudgaka. Ibid. 27-30. 113. Bh. P CXXX. 25-35. 114. Ag. P. CIV. 11-22; Vide Table 'A' below. 115. G. P. XLVII, 21-32. 116. VD. P. Pt. III, LXXXVI, LXXXVII, LXXXVIII. (17. VKP. VI; 82-84.