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CHRONOLOGY OF GUJARAT
in Ajanta frescos; however, the more elaborate treatment of ornaments relegates it to a later period, may be the end of the 8th century A.D.-(Plate XLV a ).
Limbodra Trimurti Head: The three-faced head only, from village Limbodrā in Rājpiplā territories, being the remnant of a Trimārti, since transferred to the Baroda Museum, supplies a link to the Trimūrti tradition from South-Eastern Gujarat also. It may not be later than the middle of the gth century A. D.-(Plate XLV b).
Sesasayi Vishnu from Mt. Abu :-Śeşaśāyi Vişnu ( mutilated) from the Jagannath temple at Delvādā on Mt. Ābu, appears to be one of the early examples of the Old Western School, which had for its background the Gupta tradition of Central India. Modelling of the figure of Vişņu is comparable to the Virabhadra Siva from Sāmalāji. It has some attendant figures, out of which one by the side of Lakşmi is noteworthy, being very much akin to the Gupta style. The deeply incised beautiful creeper design at the lower end of the panel is assigrable to C. 650 A.D. It seems the Jagannath shrine in the Arbud mandala was an old Vaişņava or Hindu site, which flourished for about six centuries, out of which Vimalaśāha was obliged to acquire land for building the Jaina shrines at a heavy price. An identical sculpture at the new Koțyarka temple, Mahudi, may be remembered here.-(U.P. Shah, Baroda Museum Bulletin, 1957).
Kesisudana from Vala :-The headless sculpture of a stout figure called Krşņa, slaying demon Kesi, as identified by D. R. Bhandarkar in 1910, was obtained from Valā along with other unidentified sculptures. It is allied to the Sāmalāji group of images of Siva and the Mātņikās; but may be slightly later, i. e. about early 7th century. The drapery is simplified here, and the marks of the folds are a bit fainter, with an identical loop in the front at the waist. The Valā sculptures show a happy blending of physical energy or mass with spiritual grace and beauty.-(Plate XLVI b ). Miscellaneous Sculptures :
Sage Udumbara from Samalaji : The massive figure of Sage Udumbara, discovered by M. R. Majmudar at Śāmalāji, lying on the banks of the river Meśvo is most remarkable. The locks of the jața-mukuța are spread out on the sholders and are represented in interwoven ringlets. The yajñopavita runs from the left shoulder and passes through the chest and the pot-belly. This sculpture is datable to the early 6th century A.D., on stylistic grounds.-(Plate XLVII a).
Bhinmal Yaksa : In the massive seated figure, greatly mutilated and with worn out features, is seen the life-size sculpture, probably of Kubera or of a Yakşa, which is still lying near the lake at Bhinmāl. This was mentioned in the 'Note on Bhinmāl' in the Bombay Gazetteer, Vol. 1, in 1896. The features have been broken off, and the left lower arm and leg and both feet have disappeared. This sculpture could be assigned to circa 7th or 8th century A.D.-(Bom. Gaz., Vol. I, Part I, Appendix III, p. 454, 1896).-(Plate XLVII b).
Nagaraja from Vasisthasrama, Mt. Abu : The sculpture of Nagarāja lying at Vasişthāśrama on Mt. Ābu is one of the earliest known specimens. of Nāga worship in Guja
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