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 554

Appendix A
499 12 pillars in three rows. The mandapa is open on all sides but it is covered with a flat roof.
The garbhagriha has a spire over it. The spire is composed of horizontal tiers with a square moulding at the base and three successive mouldings having rounded edge at the upper pațți and a shape of torus at the lower portion with a recess between these two mouldings, each successively diminishing in size till reaches the apex, which is crowned with an amalaka and a finial. The interesting point to be noted about the spire is that each side of the spire is adorned with a vertical series of four heavy caitya-arches at centre, the arches gradually diminishing in size as they go up. On account of this ornamentation the square base of the spire attains an effect of being projected at the central portion. 20 This device is also found in many other temples of Saurastra, such as those at Suvan, Ranavavy 1 etc. (2) The Gāyatri temple 2 2
The temple is situated 1.9 kms S. W. of the village. The temple is dedicated to goddess Gayatri. From the occurance of the recessed block marked with the lotus petal design23 and added upon the cornice above the front door of the temple it may appear that the temple was originally dedicated to the Sun. But this saliant feature may also apply to the temple of Gāyatri who is closely associated with the Sun god. 20. Here Fig. 17
21. Here Figs. 8, 20 22. Here Figs. 18,19 23. This additional block is found among the detached ruins of Sun temples at Pasanavada and Pata. There the recessed block contains standing figures of the Sun god in the recesses in all its sides and is adorned with the design of an open lotus at the top. The common occurance of this block at the Sun temples of the two different places implies that it was probably a special feature of the Sun temples in this region during this period. The recessed block stands in situ in this temple so adorned with usual lotus petal design but the Sun figures have been extinct by this time.