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Vol-1, xxix
BULL AND NANDI IMAGES OF GUJARAT
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A.D. The hump is prominent. On its other side of the bull is a gana tying a garland around its body while in the front was perhaps a vessel of sweet balls (modakapatra). This and the other bulls noted above illustrate fine local breed of Kankareji and other bulls of western India. (P1.VII)
Another early bull also belonging to the same date which hails from Śāmalājī, is now exhibited in the Baroda Museum.56 Unfortunately its mouth, horns and the hump are mutilated. The ghugharmālā composed of rattle boxes and fly whisk (ghurghur-cāmaramālā) chain and the head-band are similar to those shown in the other two Nandi images from Śāmalājī .
The present writer has discovered a group of schist sculptures of Ksatrapa, Gupta and Post-Gupta period at village Totu near Bayad in the Sabarkantha district. Totu Nandi with pedestal suggests a Saiva temple in this area. Its hump is prominent. The dewlap folds are realistically rendered. They can be compared with the similar dewlap lines found on the neck of Nandī from the Ranchhodji temple, śāmalājī which is presently in the Prince of Wales Museum, Mumbai. The Muzzle parts of the end, nostrils, horns and tamas figure etc. are multilated. The broad temple portion is highly worn out. But still part of the head-band is visible. A metal chain encircles the neck. A ghurghur-cāmaramālā passes from the back of the hump. It can be ascribed to c.6th cent. A.D. or slightly later.57 (P1.VIII)
A colossal figure of Nandi is lying in the Sāndheśvara temple at Sandhida. The village in near Bhavnagar, Saurashtra. Nandi's mouth and horns are partially broken semicircular incised dewlap lines and prominent hump are significant. It is chiselled with schematic emphasis. According to Dhaky and Gaudani, this technique comes closer to the Pallava in southern India.58 The Impressionist mass, the well-proportioned limbs together with firm lines and curves result in a very powerful image of a bull with its inner essence turned inside out. An equally schematic ghurghur-camaramālā does not distract from the quality of its intrinsic vigour.59 A tight chain encircles the neck. (P1.IX)
A colossal Nandi in the Siddheśvara śivālaya, Valabhipur belongs to Maitraka period. The missing head has been repaired by a crude replacement. The entire body has been painted out.60
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Nandii in the Rāja-Rájeśvara Mahādeva temple, Kayavarohan is a small figure (47x59x37 cms.). But it is notable for its strength, inner vitality and some
