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 (1) Among the earliest Śaiva images is that of Gaņeśa. It is found seated in the Caitya window on the west-side of the Sikhara of the temple at Gop. It is usually found in the door lintel of pre-Caulukyan as well as Caulukyan temples. Its standing figures are in niches of the old temple of Than and the Sun temple on Hiranya river at Prabhas. The earliest Siva image so far available is found on the door frame of the Kadvar temple. The other Saivite images like Uma-maheśvara ( Kadvar, 3 Ghumali4 and Kapadvanj5 ), Andhakasuravadhamūrti (Sunaks etc.) are also found. Dancing postures of Śiva are often met with in temples of Gujarat such as at Sunak,? Piludra, Khandosana. etc. The Bhairav mūrtis are also found at Anandapar, 8 Somnath' ( extinct). The figure on the wall at Modhera now worshipped as a Kālabhairava is not a figure of Agni as Bargess thought.10 The images of Lakulisa are found at Miyani (Nilakantha) and Achalesvar (Mt. Abu).
Figures of Parvati 11 and Mahākāli 12 are found in the Kālikāmātā temple at Dabhoi. Figures of Mahisāsurmardini are found common in the old temples of Gujarat, as for instance at Sunak, 13 Khandosana etc.
The interesting figures of a goddess riding on an ass, are found at Modhera 14 and Sejakpur.15 Locally it is known as Śitalā-mātā ( a goddess of small pox ). 1. ASIWC, 1920-31, plt. xxxiii. 2. SMTK plts, XXXII, & XXXIV. 3. SMTK. plt. XXXV. 4. SMTK. plt. XXVI; also Fig. 60 now in the Rajkot museum. 5. Now in the prince of Wales Museum, Bombay. 6. AANG. Plt. LXXXV. Fig. 7. lbid. Fig. 3
12. Ibid. pl. XIV, fig. 1. 8. SMTK. p. 60.
13. AG. Fig. 61. 9. lbid. plt. VII.
14. AANG. p. 80. AG. Fig. 62. 10. AANG. p. 77.
15. SMTK. p. 58. 11. Burgess, Dabhoi, pl. xv.