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 409

354
The Form of the Jambs and The Lintel.
It is laid down that the jamb should never be a single plain piece but should comprise 3, 5, 7, or 9 parallel vertical sections each adorned with various sculptures on them. The lower most quarter of the jamb is reserved for the insertion of the figure of an image (Ag. P. CIV. 30)of the door keeper, whose form depends upon that of the main deity enshrined. 33 The rest of the jamb should be decorated with auspicious elements such as birds, trees, Svastika, designs, vases, human pairs, lotuses, swans, creepers, foliages and the Avataras of Viṣṇu (especially in Visnu temple). Besides these are recommended the images of the Navagraha panel, Gaṇeśa and the figure represented as being bathed by two elephants, which are generlly found in the existing specimens on the lintels. 34
The Structural Temples of Gujarat
The width of the door and the proportion it bears to the ground plan of the temple are prescribed in three different ways: (1) The whole ground plan of the temple being devided into 64 squares, 8 being on each side, the sanctum should be made of 16 inner squares (i. e. of the whole ground plan ); in the middle of the front side (of 4 squares) of sanctum and covering of its width should be the door for entrance into the shrine. Thus of the length of the whole ground plan of the temple represents the width of the door, 35
(2) The garbha should be divided into equal parts on each side (the whole ground plan being devided into 400 33. APPR. in a separate chapter (CXXXIII) enumerates the list of Dvārpālas to be carved on the door frame of the shrine. Accordingly various deities like, Śiva, Viṣṇu, Brhamā, Sūrya, Gaṇeśa, Gauri (Pārvati) Candikā and Jina (Tīrthankara) have several demi-gods as their Dvārpālas-to be carved on the door-frame of the shrine dedicated to them.
34. Br. Sm. LV. 13-16, also Hay. P. (MS.) as quoted in Haribhaktiviläsa XX.
35. M. P. CCLXXX, 18-19; Br. Sm. LVI, 10-12.
VDh. P. LXXXVIII. 7.