Eternal India Encyclopedia

Eternal India encyclopedia

ARCHITECTURE

rests on a large plinth. In addition to the 1st porch (ardhamandapa), there are two large mandapas (and vimana) which is characteristic of North Indian sikhara. These elements are distinguishable by their separate roofs, each successively higher. The central pyrami- dal roof has a number of peaks clustered to the central one (unlike in Orissa). Another distinguishing feature is the porches projecting from the side of the mandapa and sides partially illuminating the sculpted interiors. These are placed high above eye level. The use of pillars and lavishly sculpted interiors in the Khajuraho temples distinguish them from other North Indian styles. The Solankis of Gujarat (950-1304) was another Rajputan dy- nasty who rose to importance at the time of the weakening of the Gurjara Pratiharas. The Solanki patronage of religious establish- ments, cities and temples is well known through the inscriptions. Most of their structures were dismantled by the Muslims and

religion dictated that they acquire their means through peaceable occupation, such as banking and trading than through spoils of war. It is situated (altitude 1220 m) in the midst of forests which include many varieties of trees such as silk, cotton, mango, bamboo, euca- lyptus, wild pomegranate, coral, date-palm etc. Abu is an ancient site and is the only hill station in Rajasthan. The climate is pleasant and there is lavish vegetation. Here are the famous Dilwara Jain temples, masterpieces of

the temple build- ing art. Accord- ing to legends the four Agnicula or Fireborn Rajput clans were brought into existence here at Ganmukh, a spring that now flows through a sculptured cow's head. Here

Brahmin priests in remote, legendary times are said to have cre- ated these warriors out of a fire-pit to rid the earth of demons. The clans created were the Chauhans, the Paramaras, the Pratiharas and the Solankis. The Dilwara temples are set on a hill in the midst of a grove of mango trees. The shrines, built between the 11th and 13th C are fa- mous for their rich intricate carvings in marble. A centre of Jain pil- grimage, the temples are absolutely flawless from the architect's point of view. The Adinath temple, the older of the two main shrines, is dedi- cated to the first of the Jain Tirthankaras. It was built by Vimal Shah, a minister of state. It is constructed entirely of pure white marble. The marble was imported from the Makrana mines. The main shrine has elaborate makara toranas or scroll arches in the hall, the pillars of which are entirely covered with fine carvings of nymphs and musicians. The inner sanctum contains a figure of Adinath in the posture of meditation. The domed ceiling of the hall has a flower pendant encircled with large female figures in dancing poses. All round the shrine runs a covered cloister, its pillars also carved, its ceiling divided into innumerable sections each again cut and carved in different patterns. Along the corridor are niches housing statues of the Tirthankaras and each niche again has deli- cately carved figures and designs on its facing. There are 52 such niches. The Neminath temple built by two brothers, Tejapala and Vas- tupala, is dedicated to the twenty-second Tirthankara. It is a fabu- lous work of art. The temple porch has a dome having a pendant of marble. The pendants appear to sprout from partly opened lotuses. The entire temple has been cut out from a single rock. In a long hall are several figures mounted on elephants some of black marble. Behind the mounted figures are niches, each containing two or three figures almost lifesize of a donor and his wife. The exquisite carvings show the fine texture of the Muslim drapery and the delicate designs of the shadow and drawn - thread work.

reused; others collapsed and the marbles were used as lintel. Increased sculptural decorations of temples, greater size and com- plexity in plan and form, taller sikharas, growing stylisation of figures, variety in figural pose, complicated iconograpy were the basis for the developments. The Nilakanta Mahadev temple is well preserved and is lavishly decorated. The Sun temple at Modhera was constructed during the rule of the Solanki King Bhimdev I (1026-27 A.D.) The temple complex consists of a prasad, a sabha mandap and a kunda, a reservoir called Ramakunda, one of the loveliest temple tanks in Western India. The shrine faces east in such a way that the rising sun at the equinoxes shines straight into ~ the shrine through the doors of the mandap. The image of the main deity, the Sun God, is missing. The niches in the inner side of the surrounding wall of the prasad contain twelve images of the Sun-God fashioned in the Iranian style. The outside of the walls is profusely carved with figures of deities, human beings, animals, scenes of amour and war. The Somnath Temple at Patan cannot be eliminated from a study of Solanki architecture. Three temples, each built over the ruins of the former, occupy the site and testify to its destruction by Mahmud of Ghazni. JAIN TEMPLES Equally notable are the Jain temples on Mt. Abu in Rajasthan. As a Jain city it ranks among the finest and was built over a period of time reflecting the sustained patronage of wealthy Jains whose