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The Structural Temples of Gujarat
At Modhera, at the head of the steps of the Kunda on the western side stand two richly carved shafts of the pillars of the Kirtitoraṇa. The existing parts of the pillars are richly carved. The capitals of the pillars, the entablature, pendiment, and an arch are extinct. 12
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The Kirtitoraṇa in Rudramahalaya at Siddhpur is north to the east porch.13 It was practically intact when Forbes wrote his Rasamālā. but was denuded of many of its beautiful components such as principal sculptures in the pediment and the beautiful garland like arch. in 1869 A.D.14
the Somanatha temple (extinct). The preserved peice represents a side fragment of the arch and contains a devi in standing posture with two female attendants, one of which is a Chowrie bearer. Over the ringed pillaster in a niche there is a seated figure of Śiva. The torana emerging from the mouth of a makara, contains a Swan course superimposed by 8 pallava course. The niche has a pediment and a sringa as its superstructure.
In front of the Saśībhūṣaṇa temple at Prabhas there is an extant toraṇa base, which is nearly 1 meter below the present ground level. The base measures near IX 1 meter at the bottom. Possibly, there was a toraṇa similar to that of torana at Somanatha ( extinct ).
12. AANG. Plt. VII.
On the north of this torana stands another pair of pillars indicative of another torana. It implies that there was possibly another corresponding torana on the south as well.
13. AANG. Plt. XLIV. Here Fig. 214/c. According to the ground plan of the temple (AANG. Plt. XXXVIII) another similar torana ought to have been in south to the west proch. Burgess guesses the possibility of having third one either between the Nandi pavilion and east proch or on the top of the steps leading down to the river. ( AANG. P. 67 ).
14. AANG. p. 68.
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