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Structural Temples of the Caulukyan Period
123 up into the spire providing that element of verticality to its outward appearance which in its present truncated condition, is lacking.
The interior of this enclosed portion is divided equally into two compartments, each consisting of a square of 7.8 meters wide, the front or eastern being the Gadhamaņdapa or assembly hall, containing eight columns around a central octagonal nave, above which is highly ornamental ceiling. Except, however, fof a niche in every bay the enthroning an image of the sun-god, the walls of this hall are plain leading out of this compartment, through a shallow four pillared vestibule, is the shrine chamber a square cella with a processional passage around it. Carved decoration is here sparsely distributed, most of being concentrated on the entrance of the cells. This doorway has its jambs and lintels divided up by mouldings into sections each crowded with figures. 66
In front of the temple is a spacious tank which is known as the Rāma or Sūrya Kunda. It has many terraces and steps that lead down to the water. On its banks and corners are various small shrines in some of which are to be seen the images of Sitalā, Jalāśayi Visņu and various other gods. The interesting and rare sculptures noticed here are those of Candra (the moon) and Rāvana. The Kunda measures 53.8 x 36.6 ms.87
Vimalvasahi : It is built by Vimalaša the minister of Bhima ! at Delvada on Mt. Abu. It measures 42.7 x 57.9 ms, and contains the shrine proper (Mūlagabhāro), Gūdhamandapa, Rangamaņdapa, Nava Coki and 52 devakulikās enclosing the temple. There is the Hastiśālā also. The image of the Mūlanāyaka Rişabhadeva has been consecrated in V. S. 1088 (A. D. 1032 ). There is exuberant carving and ornamentation on outer parts like Navacoki, Rangamaņdapa and cells in the court yard contrasted with much
66. IA, BH. p. pp. 146. 67. AB. p. 10.
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