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 Many ancient shrines have got this prototype shape. The flat roofed temples have no śikharas or spires. Technically, such Prāsādas or temples are known as 'Chhädya Prāsādas' covered by chhādya of many varieties, i. e, some may be doble roofed or triple roofed, "Rucākadi Prāśāda, elaborately described in 49th chapter of " Samrāngaņa Sūtradhāra of king Bhojadeva, are Chhādya Prāsādas and has many varieties. Even today the shrines of this class survive in many parts of India, especially in Bengal. These Prāsādas i. e. temples owe thair origin to the Dolmen. The dolmen shrine constitutes the aboriginal temple of this day even many śaiva Shrines of this type have been discovered by the Archaeological Survey. 15 (3& 4) The Shed of Initiation And The Tabernacle.
" While the primeval shape of the dolmen is architecturally the proto-type of the sanctuary enshrined in the Hindu temple, other closed types of sacred buildings, also have preceded the Hindu temple. They too have lent their meaning and added their shape to the cube of the Garbhagriha. They are the vedic shed of initiation and undatable "Tabernacle” made of bamboo or branches of a large palm leaves only, in which divine presence is known to dwell while being worshipped.
The Vedic shed of initiation is an Aryan element which contributed in the origin and development of the temple, while
Tabernacle' is a non-Aryan element which also has contributed in the growth of the temple. Even to this date we have a proto-type of Taberanacle in our 'Satyanārāyaṇa-Kathā, in which without any image, we simply invoke the divine presence and in our glorification and veneration thereof, we decorate it with leaves, especially with those of Kadali, Āmra, Asoka etc. and give shape of a pavilion. These decorations and ornamentations have served as the motif for the later decorations and ornamentations in the Temple.
Both these institutions i. e. the institutions of the shed of initiation and the tabernacle, one Aryan, the other non-Aryan; 15. Stella Kramarisch H. T. p. 153, fn. No. 61 and p. 150, fn. No. 53.