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 APPR. which gives a more elaborate treatment of the curvilinear spire is entirely silent about the pyramidal superstructure. It obviously indicates that the pyramidal form of the superstructure which was in vogue in the pre-Caulukyan period got out of date at the time of APPR. Thus the type of the pyramidal superstructure of the pre-Caulukyan temples is met with in the Sm. Su.
The Sikhara of the Caulukyan temples is curvilinear in shape. Among early works the G. P. deals with this shape and gives the method for arriving at it, but the description of the method is wanting in details. The Sm. Su, also describes the curvilinear spire as Sikharānvita Sikhara and refers to several varieties of it. But a full treatment of the curvilinear type especially specification of the Rekhās appears for the first time in APPR. which adds several varieties to those given in Sm. Su.
From a comparative study of the different types of the Sikharas of the Caulukyan temples in Gujarat it is also gathered that only a few varieties of the temples apply to those given in Sm. Su. while almost all the variety correspond to those described in APPR.
The pillars in the pre-Caulukyan temples are generally square in shape and plain in design excepting the heavy brackets at the top. Early works as well as canonical works refer to some different shapes of pillars, such as square, octagonal etc. The simple treatment given in the early works implies the plajnness of its design. The pillars in the Caulukyan temples are generally square (plain or facetted) or octagonal (plain or facetted) or more frequently composite in shape, displaying various permutations of shapes and embellished with several mouldings. Among these the simple shapes ( square and octagonal) occur among those mentioned in the early works, but the facetted shapes are given only in the canonical works, The square facettled and the octagonal facetted shapes