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 489

The Structural Temples of Gujarat
Floral and geometrical designs are found on ceilings in the porches of the temples at Gorad and Vadanagar. In the former a conventionalized flower is placed inside a square; in the latter stylized floral design is cut out in very bold relief inside a parallelogram.
434
Many of the ceilings on the corridor of the devakulikās in the Vimala temple at Abu depict the scenes from the lives of Tirthankaras, Hindu Mythology etc. In the same way the ceilings of the corridor of Tejapalas temple at Abu, depict the scences from the lives of Tirthankaras, figures of dancers, and purely geometrical patterns.
The story of the great renunciation of Neminatha, the 22nd Jain Tirthankara, is carved in a ceiling panel of the corridor in the Tejapala's temple at Abu.
The ceiling is divided into seven horizontal sections. Each section depicts a part of the story beginning from the bottom.
Sec. I. Shows the dancers and musicians who led the marriage procession of Aristanemi.
Sec. II. The battle between Krishna and King Jarasandha, with Aristanemi in a chariot.
Sec. III. The musicians, army and clansmen.
Sec. IV. (from right): 1st, the arrival of Arist; IInd, animals tied for slaughter; 3rd, marriage pandol, called cori, a square tent-like bower constructed with seven earthern pots supported by stands of plantain trees, and decorated with festoons and garlands; 4th and 5th, the elephants guarding the entrance of the palace and horse stables, 6th gate way to the palace of Rajimati; 7th: The two storied palace with the chamberlain announcing to Rajimati and her friends the arrival of Arist.
Sections V, VI. VII face upwards, chronologically first comes sec. VI, then VII and lastly V.