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 523

The Structural Temples of Gujarat
Members of Vimala, Vastupala and Tejapala's ancestors and family, riding on elephants, and horses in Hastiśāla in front of the Vimala temple and on the back of Lunavasahi; are the examples of protrait sculpture of this period. These figures give some idea of the dress of a section of a people of contemporary Gujarat.
468
The Narathara (the moulding of human figures) though not found in the pre-Caulukyan temples, is common in the medieval temples of Gujarat. It is well illustrated on the basements of the Caulukyan temples as Ruhavi, Sander, Motab, Shamalaji, Modhera etc.
The men and women therein seen to represent persons on a royal highway, as it is sometimes called Rajavithi. How and why a narathara came to be sculptured on the basement wall cannot be definitely explained. But it seems that the idea was taken from the practice of portraying a procession of men and women on the gateway of Buddhist stūpas.+4
Amorous Couples (or Mithuns) figure on many of the Caulukyan temples. These figures are the descendents of the gay, dancing, often nude figures. Dancing and amorous figures are found on the walls ( Janghas) of the shrine and maṇḍapa, usually on either side of the panels of Gods and Goddesses. Many of them are of singular beauty. They are found on the temples at Modhera, Abu (Lunavasahi and the Jain temples near Achalesvara), Vadnagar (Hatakeśvara), Dwarka (Trikamaji temple in the vicinity of Dwarkadhisa temple, Rukamani temple), Bhutia vasana (near Patan), Khandosan, Siddhpur (Rudramala), Kamboj, Mandrapur, Motab, Taranga etc. Specimen of amorous couples seem to be best preserved on the old shrine at Motab and dacning figures in the temple at Modhera. 45
44. AG. p. 121.
45. The decoration of buildings by the representation of Mithuns had become a favourite practice of sculptures through out India. The injunction fЯga faqa' was carried too far. The Jagannatha, Konāraka and other temples in Orissa, the Khajuraho temples (Madhya Pradesa) the Hoyasala temples at Halebid (Mysore) are marked with such figures.
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