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 67

12
The Structural Temples of Gujarat
In the second phase of the stupa extensive repairs were done to the upper platform constituting the Pradakṣiņā-patha. 31 At places, the round projecting drums were straightened. Decorated bricks were used at indiscriminately. A portion of the apse of the stupa was exposed.32
(e) The Stupas of S. E. India (c. 200 B. C.-c. 4th cent. A. D.)
Between the second century B. C. and fourth century A. D. were built numerous stūpas along the Krisna in S. E. India on sites of 1. Jaggayyapeta 2. Bhattiprolu 3. Gudivadā 4. Ghantaśālā 5. Garikapada in Krisņā district and 6. Padda maddur 7. Pedda Gangam 8. Amaravati and 9. Nägärgunakoṇḍā in Guntur district.33 These stupas consisted of brick built hemespherical domes on a low base and were characterised by rectangular projections from the base of the dome at four cardinal points, the projections supporting a row of five ornamental pillars. The earlier examples at Bhattiprolu and Gudivada were of solid brickwork while those at Amaravati and Ghantasala with the interior radiating brick walls, with a hub and spokes, the spaces between the walls being filled with earth-packing, before the outer brick casings was constructed. The Stupas were finished with plaster and most of the larger ones were embelished at the base with sculptured marble panels, the example at Amaravati being particularly noted for them. The Superstructure of the Stupas is invariably missing, but it can be visualized by contemporary plastic representations on dimensions, the Amaravati marble friezes. 34 As regards their diameter ranges from 9.1 ms. for the smallest example at Jaggayyapeta to upwards of 30.5 ms, for those at Bhattiprolu, Gudivada, Ghantasala and Amaravati, the last having an
31, Indian Archaeology 60-61 pl. xi B.
32. lbid p. 10
33. IABH, p. pp 45, 48; plt. xxviii A. Fig. 2 opp. p. 45
34. J. Burgess. The Buddhist stupas of Amaravati and Jaggayyapeta (London, 1887) Pl. 1