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 456

CHAPTER XIII THE ARCHITECTURAL TREATMENT OF THE SIKHARA (i) The śikhara of the Extant Temples
The śikhara (spire ) is one of the characteristics which indicates the order or style to which the temple belongs.
As it is seen abovel śikhara of the pre-Caulukyan temples is stepped-out pyramidal in shape composed of horizontal layers (Chādyas ) one over the other. Right from the Gop temple having a spire of two layers, it has got gradual progress in the number of layers, till the land mark is reached at Bilesvar temple which has six layers adorned with series of Caitya-arch ornaments flanked by amalaka quoins at either corner of each layer. Temples having flat roofed superstructures are discribed as Chādya prāsādas in Sm. Su.. They may be Dvi-Chadya or Tri-Chadya and sometimes even more chadyas superimposing each chadya. On this analogy we find some points of similarity in the pre-Caulukyan temples with those of Chadya-prāsādas propounded by Sm. Su. ( XLIX ) known as Rucaka type.
Some of the pre-Caulukyan temples in Gujarat indicate the following different stages of transition from the pyramidal form to the curvilinear from of superstructure,
(a) The beginning of the transition may be traced in the modification of the right-angled steps into sloped steps relieved by a series of round-edged cornices. This is illustrated by the old sun temples at Boricha? and Kinder-kheda 3 and an old temple at Odadar;# the tiers numbered four in the case of the 1 Vide Ch. 4 above.
3. Here Fig. 39. 2. Here Fig. 14.
4. Here Fig. 36.