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 398

The Ground Plan of the Garbhagļiha
343 The horizontal projections upon the garbha walls are cut up by vertical chases giving rise to several panels and facets on the garbha walls. Vertically all the panels resulted from the projection of outer walls run up to the upper most part of the garbha walls (which correspondingly run directly upto the apex of the śikhara). The most conspicuos among these vertical chases or slits resulted from small projection are technically known as Pāṇitāras' or Varimārgas, 5 3
The garbha-wall having the central ( bhadra ) projection only, on its three sides, is technically said Ekanāsikā.54 The external side of the wall being divisible into 8 sections, 4 sections alloted to the central bhadra and the remaining 4 divided in two equal parts alloted to the corner on either side of the bhadra, the tala (ground plan) of the garbhagļiha is known as Aștadha ( Athai). This may be illustrated by the Sun temple at Prabhas on river Triveni. 8 8
53. They are also known as 'Jalāntaras, Udkāntaras' Salilāntaras. etc. These projections are also described by the works known as Kşirārņava (MS), Jñānaratnakoşa (MS) and Dipārņava as stated by the editor Sri. P. O. Sompura (Dipā, IX, 1-101 & f. n. 2.). He describes these projections as being raised from the base of the Sikhara and not from the base of the temple. But as stated above APPR. states its rise from the base of the temple.
In extant temples the practice is found both ways. Some temples display the rise of these projections from the very base of the temple correspondingly reaching to its apex; while in other temples they rise from the base of the Sikhara leaving the portion below quite plain.
The practice both ways followed by extant temples is found supported by the canonical compilation Śilpa Ratnākara (N. M. Sompura ) III, 95–102. 54. Vide here Fig. 243, a. 55. For other illustrations vide p. 336 above.