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Vol-1, XXix
SŪRYOPĀSANĀ IN PRE-AHMEDĀBĀD....
95
Ganganātha Mahādev
Ganganātha, the Shaivite temple, is located in the Parikshitnagar settlement in the Baherāmpurā area of this city. This area is about more than a Kilometre distance in the west of the famous Kānkria reservoir. This Shiva temple is decorated with dome. Adjoining the Ganganātha temple in the east there is another temple in which beautiful but defaced Sürya icon is visible. Made of marble stone this image is in the standing position and in sambhañg posture. It is measured as 112x62 centimetre. Its both hands hold the lotus but they are rubbed. On the backslab or the frame (i.e. Parikar) of this large image there are ten seated Surya images. There is indistinct figure carved on both the sides of the head of this image. Near the feet of it seven defaced horses are sculptured. Dañda, Pingal, Ushā, Pratusha and lotus women are seen as Ayudhapurushas. Sūrya image holds dagger on its waist and dressed in Udichya costume. Stylistically, it belongs to not earlier than 12th century A.D.
Kāmnātha Mahādev
On the outskirts of the Raipur Darawājā on the way to Kāñkariā reservoir, there is a shaiva temple known as Kamnātha Mahādev. In this temple complex, the main temple is that of Kamnātha facing to the west. On the north-west wall of this main temple there is two-armed sūrya icon of sand-stone facing the north. Its size is 77x39 centimetre and standing in sambhang posture. This image inlayed in the niche which has round pillars having sprouted head. It is dressed in Udichya costume and having whole shoes. There is a girdle (Katimekhalā) on the waist of the image. Kavacha is carved on its chest and it has adorned with necklace. Wearing a crest-crown this image is defaced. Having adorned with ear-rings this Sürya image holds lotus in both the hands. On the right side of this image there is a woman figure in three joints (Tribhang) and is in standing position. Its face is rubbed. May be it is a figure of either Ushā or Prathushā. The crown on its head is also defaced and indistinct. Its right hand is on the waist and the left is raised as Abhaya Mudrā (fearless mark). There is also a small figure, on the left of the Surya image, whose right hand holds staff and left hand is laid on its waist. This figure is in Tribhang. This Sūrya icon belongs to the end of the 10th century A.D.
