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 78

The Shrine and the Temple : Early Phase the base (Adhisthāna and or Pitha). In the beginning the sanctum was covered by a flat roof which was in course of time replaced by a superstructure in form of a spire (Sikhara ) of the pyramidal or curvilinear shape. These vertical parts of the shrine seem to have originated from different sources. This has given rise to several theories about the architectural origin of the Indian shrine. They may be summed up as follows. :13 (1) The citi, The Alter
The Adhisthāna, the Socle or the base of the Vedic altar, the Citi, got itself incorporated in the structural genesis of the Prāsāda as its Jagati, Pitha. These lower parts of the temple is embodied the memory of the sacred ground (vedi ) with its piled up altar (citi) where sacrificial offerings were carried out by the flaming fire. Dr. Stella Kramarisch in * Hindu temple' has emphatically pointed out not only the origin of Socle or base in vedic altar, but the entire prāsāda, according to her is a citi. She Says, “ The Vedic altar survives in the structure of the body of the temple in its lowest and its highest part. In technique and name the Prāsāda, the Hindu temple, shares in the name of the Vedi and Citi. Its total structure moreover when seen from outside has the appearance of a massive pile, and is monument more than a building. The thickness of the walls of the Garbhagļiha; and the often nearly compact superstructure, also reveal that the entire Prāsāda is a Citi. This is confirmed by its very names, Prāsāda, Sadma, Sadana derived from or identical to the word Sadanam itself which denotes the piling of the vedic altar."14 (2) Dolmen.
The flat roofed temple has the dolmen for its prototype. In dolmen the device is that that one larger flat slab of stone, supported by three upright slabs set on edge so as to form a small chember with one side open to serve as an entrance 13. Archaeology in India pp. 93-94; HT. Vol. I p. 145 ff. 14. Dr. Stella Kramarisch; “ Hindu temple " vol. I p. 148.