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BHŪMIJA CLASS TEMPLE AT GALATEŚVARA, SARNAL
MAULIK HAJARNIS*
Gujarat is rich in its Archaeological, Historical and Cultural heritage. It has an abundant wealth of temples, sculpture and antiquities. As far as our northern Indian temples are concerned, the Sekhari and the Bhūmija are the two composite modes of the Nāgara style. Both these modes can be seen as a development of the Latina śikhara. Bhūmija is the national style of 'Mālavā”. Bhūmija profusely grace the art horizon of the temple architecture of this country. In Rajasthan and Maharashtra also, there are a considerable number of Bhūmija temples. But in Gujarat, there are only three temples which belong to the Bhūmija class-Ranamukteśvara temple, Makani; Limkheda Triple Shrine temple and Galateśvara temple, Sarnal.
At attempt is made here to discuss the Galateśvara temple, in its proper Bhūmija context. Galateśvara is situated in the kheda district and it is about 8 kms. to the east of Taluka head-quarter 'Thāsarā'. It is a legend that Galateśvara (Sarnal) is an ancient "Candrahāsanagari”. It is also believed that during the 10th 11h century it was a centre of trade and commerce. It is one of the pañca-tīrtha of Dakor. Skandapurana mentions this place. At the foot of the entrance of this
* Architect, 18/212, Parishram Apartment, Nr. BimaNagar, sattellite Road, Ahmedabad-380015.
