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 372

The Architectural Forms of Temples
Further APPR, also gives particulars about the different regions where the different types of temples were especially prevalent. The Nagara type for instance was common in Ahiraja (i. e. Ahichhatra) Vairājya, Virāta, Kokaṇa, Dandkarṇya and Sanhyadri. The work also cites the types that especially in vogue in Saurāṣṭra and Gurjaradeśa, but unfortunately the line mentioning these types is missing in the text.141
were
In APPR. the Nagara type figures as the first and foremost type of temples. It describes the salient features of this type as follows.
The spire of the Nagara temple is adorned with Sṛngas, Urusrigas, Pratyangas etc. It is constructed of profile (Rekha) of one to three divisions (Khandas). It has Sukanāsa, Āmalaka, Kalasa and Anḍaka Its' ground plan is adorned with various projections running vertically and horizontally from top to bottom. Its vertical member are Pitha, Uppitha, Jangha ( Maṇḍovara) Kūṭachadya etc. It has Mandapa, Vitāna (ceilings) adorned with bell-shaped Samvarna ( or Samaraṇa )142
From the description of twenty temples in Brht. Sam.,143 M. P. 144 and Viśva Karma Prakāśa 145 (the works approx. of 6th Cent. A. D.) etc., it seems that the temples have assumed various forms by this time,
317
None of these works however refers to the Nagara School of architecture, which is found to be one of the principal schools in later canonical works. It is in the Ag. P 146 that
141. APPR. CXII, 12.
Shri P. A. Mankad the editor of APPR. contends that the Nagara type originated in Ahichhatra in Pancala and that it extended southword along with the migration of the Brhamanas of Pancala, who are known as Nagaras ( Appr Int. pp. XXIII-XXVI ).
142. APPR. CVI, 18-25. 143. Br. Sm LVII, 17-31.
146. AG. P. CIV. 11-12.
144. MP. CCLXIX. 26. 145. VKP. VI, 82-86.