________________
The Structural Temples of Gujarat
beautiful sculptures of goodesses, damsels and female figures, indicative of temple being dedicated to a goddess, are found. Over the chajja moulding the curvillinear spire of the shrine rises in the usual vertical chases corresponding to those of the walls from base to the top, surmounted by sringas and urusṛingas till the apex is attained, which is adorned with the usual amalaka and a finial.
512
Similar carvings are also seen at the lower mouldings of the exterior of the mandapa and attached porch.
Gavada*
as
The Pancayatana temple of this village is known Jageśvara Mahadeva. The central shrine is surrounded by four corner shrines dedicated to Gaṇeśa, Gauri, Surya and Visnu. The principal shrine consists of the usual components i. e. the sanctum proper and the attached maṇḍapa fronted by a porch. The mandapa is restored but the superstructure over it retains some original portion. The shrine from basement to the apex of the spire is highly ornate. The style of sculptures of pitha, maṇḍovāra and pediments over the bhadra sections of entablature suggest 12th cent. A. D. as its period of construction. The corner shrines, too, are highly ornate from top to bottom. One of them dedicated to Surya is restored to such an extent that it has lost its original charm.
There are beautiful sculptures of Kubera, Śiva in Gajasuravadha attitude, Trivikrama, Sürya, Hariharapitāmahārka etc.
Gunja‡
On the eastern skirt of the village Gunja there lies a tank which is built with a flight of steps on its western side. There is also a temple, jutting out into the tank, facing the * 26. Kms. west to Mehsana.
The village is situated in between N. W. to Visnagar and S. W. to Vadnagar to a distance of near 5 Kms. from both the Rly. stations of Western Railways.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org