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
Other varieties of maņdapas prescribed by APPR, are Subhadrādi 14 (pertaining to porches) 12 in number, Prāggrivādi 16 Nșitrya mandapas 15, Mervādi 25 maņdapas 1 B and Nandanādi 8 maņdapas, 17 APPR. has given vivid description of all these types of mandapas.
Consequently APPR. gives a rich variety of mandapas ranging from the simple four pillared porch (prāggrīva ) to large hypostyle halls. Examples of the latter type are met with in Gujarat from 11th cent. onwards.
Diparņava adds one more group known as Sivanādādi to this list and instructs that it is prescribed by Vsikşārņava (MS) with detailed measurements and there architectural form. 18
Many of the earlier temples have no Maņdapas, to some it is added afterwards i. e. after the completion of the shrine proper it is added as an extention or as a subservient part of the structure. The text Sm. Su.19 gives a clear idea about this. A porch like structure was added in the front 0 garbhagļiha, fulfilling the function of the Mukhamandapa. This Mukhmaņdapa subsequently got known as Kori maņdapa (or antarala ). This small porch like structure is marked by a buttress carried on to the Sukanāsa.
It may be noted here that many of the extant temples such as two small temples on the outskrit of the village Miyani have ardhamaņdapas (porches) in front of their respective shrines.
As for the width of the mandapa the rule laid down by Sm. Su is that it should have the width of the garbhagriha 20 or its width must be equal to the diagonal of the garbhagriha 2 1 14. APPR. CLXXXVII, 15-26. 18. Dīpā X, 60-61. 15. Ibid CLXXXVIII, 1-11.
19. Sm. Su. LXVI, 17. 16. lbid 12-39.
20. Sm. Su. LXVII. 98. 17. lbid 40-44.
21. Sm. Su. LXVI. 8.