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 565

The Structural Temples of Gujarat
externally they have lateral projections on all sides except the front one. The external walls are moulded from base to top from which the Sikhara of the shrine rises. At the base, it has kumbha, antarpatra, kevāla, and jangha mouldings with a paṭṭikā and niches for gods and goddesses at the centre. Over the pitha there is a heavy cornice. The major portion of the spire has perished, the extant portion has mouldings similar to those of the Raṇakdevi temple at Wadhwan. The chases of the lateral projections from the base of the shrine, correspondingly rise towards the apex. The horizontal tiers of the spires are adorned with the Caitya-window ornament gradually diminishing in size at the centre on all the sides.
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The pradakṣiņā is 1.8 ms. wide and has outward projecting kakṣāsanas rested on the dwarf walls, in the centre of each side. From the remains it can be guessed that pradakṣiņā had a sloped roof over it, while aisles arround the maṇḍapa had a flat roof. The central maṇḍapa had a samvarṇa type of superstructure. The pillars, technically known as bhadraka, are square with projecting central portions and terminating into vertical chases through out the shafts of the pillars.
The higher level of the garbhagriha in comparision with the level of the mandapa and the greater heights of the pillars of the nave of the mandapa in comparasion to the height of the pilasters at the aisles, when veiwed to gather, imply that the pillars of the nave were probably surmounted by dwarf pillars supporting the roof of the mandapa. But the roof and the dwarf pillars exist no more at present,
Out of the five small shrines, the four at the four corners are almost square, measuring 1.3 x 1.2 ms. Each of them has a recessed platform attached inside to the backwall. The remaining shrine, on the east of the north-western shrine, measures 1.3 2.3 ms. and contains a recessed platform on all the sides except the front one. The external sides of the walls of these shrines have lateral projections which vertically terminate into chases. These projections and chases correspondingly rise to Sikhara till its apex.