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 APPR.159 refers to the Lāța Style. As shown above the Sm. Su. was perhaps mainly a work of the Lāța school. The first classification of temples made in it contains many names quite different from those found in other works though the general (traditional) system of dividing them into 5 classes according to shape (Round, square rectangular, oval, and octagonal ) has been followed. The similarity, however, of some of these names with those in the Agri P. proves the statement, of the Purāna that the "Lāța temples bear the same name,” ( though not exactly ). What were the characterstics of this earlier period may be guessed from the Hayasissa panca rātram (Ch.-18) The verses concerned may be rendered as follows :
“The Lāta temples are similar to Nāgaras but they differ in the Karma ( construction). Their masūrakas (pedastals) and Kapotakas (mouldings) are square.” The distinctive features are not clear. This is an example of auothers looking on other
159. The Aparājitapşccha confines the Nagari ( Nāgara ) style to Madhyadeśa and further mentions: Lāți and Vairāți ( evidently of the Lāța and Vairāta regions ) as separate styles :
Nāgari Madhyadeśa tu Läti Lāța Prakırttitā I Drāvidi dakṣiṇe bhāga Vairāți tu Svadesajā ||
Lāți and Vaisāți should however, be considered as ramifications of the Nāgara style which was current through out Northern India. (S. K. Sarsavati. 'Origion of Mediaeval temple styles' Indian Culture Vol. VIII. p. 183 f. note no. 2). The Brhta Samihita and other texts (like APPR etc.) on the Science of Architecture specifically mention that the Madhyadeśa was the centre of the Nāgara style and as Dr. Stella Kramarisch has suggested, from this centre under the patronage of the respective ruling dynasties, the specific types of temples built there, were seen to develop local variations of their own, in the countries to the East (Kalinga ) and West (Lāța ) and from the Himalayas in the North to the river Tungabhadra in the South. (H. T. I, p. 292.)