Chapter 5 - The Ground plan of the Garbhagriha

CHAPTER V THE GROUND PLAN OF THE GARBHAGRIHA (1) The Architectural Treatment in the Extant temples Garbhagriha literally means the womb of the temple. It is the innermost sanctury in which is installed the image of the deity worshipped. This inner chamber is enclosed immediately by a wall. Some times it is also enclosed by another parrallel wall, the space between the two walls forming the circumambulatory around the shrine. 1 The garbhagrihas of pre-Caulukyan temples are almost square in plan, Exceptions to this are seen at the Varaha temple at Kadvar and at the temple at Kalsar 2 which have rectangular garbhagrhas. The ground plan of the shrines of the temples at Gop, Sutrapada, Visavada (old temples) Kinderkhada, Pasanavada, Balej, Bilesvar, Srinagar, Ranavav, Srinagar, Ranavav, Bhansar, Khimesvar, Dhrasanvel (Kalikamata temple), Suvan, Pata, Pasthar, Boricha, Pindara, Akhodar, Odadar (old temple), Son Kansari (Sadevanta Savalinga temple) Porbandar (Dhingesvar), Miyani (Small Siva and Ganpati shrines on south of the village), Navidhraved are, internally, almost square. The walls of the garbhagriha, internally irrespective of the shape of the edifice are regerously kept plain. Externally the walls are found either plain from bottom to top or horizontally moulded at the base as well as at the top and sometimes either of it is found moulded. The middle portion of the wall, in case of pre-Caulukyan temples is generally found plain. 1. Somanatha and other Medieval Temples of Kathiawad Plt. XXXIII. 2. MG. II, Plt. VIII.

The Ground Plan of the Garbhagriha 335 The old temple at Visavada, one of the old temples in the group of Sonakansari near Ghumali, the sun temples at Pasthar, Boricha, Pindara, Akhodar and Odadar, all single-celled temples have heavy cornice at the top of the garbhagrha walls over which the superstructure of the temple surmounts. Similarly the walls of the temples dedicated to Siva in the group of temples at Bhansara also consist of heavy cornice. These temples have moulded base which, in many cases, has been burried beneath the ground. The top of the shrine walls of the temple at Gop is adorned with a heavy and a bold reliefed cornice. The bottom. of shrine-walls resting on a plinth is plain. In case of shrines surrouned by pradaksinapatha the walls (internal) of the garbhagriha are kept almost plain. The shrine walls (internal) of the temples at Bilesvar, Dhrasanevel Kalikamata), Srinagar (Siva and Sakti temples) Pasanavada (Gayatri temple), Suvan (Jaganatha temple), Khimesvar are all plain. The walls of the garbhagriha of pre-Caulukyan temples are hardly found broken up vartically and divided into panels and facets. In plan the garbhagrihas of Caulukyan temples like the pre-Caulukyan temples, are, internally in shape either square or rectangular and in moulding regerously plain. corner But the walls outwardly which measured from corner to are modified by addition of certain projections upon them. These projections may be 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 or even more in number. Further all these projections and corners at times are divided into several projections or recessed angles so give the portion occupied by them a more zigzag shape. as to The addition of these projections on external sides of the garbha-walls presents a variety of shapes to the square ground plan of the garbhagrha (and of the temple as a whole ).

336 The Structural Temples of Gujarat The walls of the garbhagrihas are also broken up vertically and are, thus, divided into panels and facets. These lines run up from the lowest member (base) to the top of the wall ( often to the summit of the Sikhara). These vertical chases cut up all the horizontal mouldings. The most conspicuous among them are the narrow slits or channels often placed between the different horizontal projections. The prominent projection in the centre is to the total length of the garbhagriha from external corner to corner. The walls of the garbhagriha of the temples of Rudramala at Siddhapura, 3 the Surya temple at Prabhas on Triveni river, that of Bhimanatha,5 the Nilakantha and Jain temples at Miyani, the Nilakantha, Siddhesvar? Siddhesvar' and Bhidbhanjan temples at Visavada, the Ambaji temple at Girnar, the Sitala temple and the central as well as temple near the entrance at the site known as as amthora-mata at Vadnagar and Kankesvara Mahadeva temple at Vasai, Nilakantha temple at Virat, the Jain temple at Bhadresvar, 9 and the sun temple at Kheda in Kaccha externally have only one central projection with recesses at its corner. 8 In most of the Caulukyan temples the walls of the garbhagrha externally are found having double projections. The garbha walls of the sun temples at Modhera,10 Than, 11 on the bank of Hirnya at Prabhas 12 and Kotai (Kaccha)13; Dwarkadhish and Ruksmani temples, Rama & Laksmana temples at Baradia, the Vaisnava temple at Madhavapur, 14 the temple of Pancapandava at Satrunjaya, the 3. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat Plt. XXXVIII. 4. Somanatha and other Medieval Temples of Kathiawad Plt. XXIII. 9. Antiquities of Kaccha and Kathiawada Plt. LVIII. 10. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat Pit. XXXVIII. 11. Somanatha and other Medieval Temples of Kathiawad Plt. XLIV. 5. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat P. 73. 6. Somanatha and other Medieval Temples of Kathiawad PLT. XC. 12. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat, p. 74. 7. Here Fig. 63. 13. Antiquities of Kaccha and Kathiawada Plt. LX. 8. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat Plt. XCVI , 4 14. Somanatha and other Medieval Temples of Kathiawad Plt. XCI.

The Ground Plan of the Garbhagrha 337 Vaisnava temple among group of temples at Odadar, the Saiva temples of Somanath, 15 Sasibhusana, Rudrasvara at Prabhas, the Nilkantha temple at Sunak, 16 the Hatakesvar at Vadanagar; the Siva temples at Taranetar, Manoda, 17 Kanoda, 18 Sander. Sejakapur, 19 Than )1 (Muni bawa) 19. Chaubari, Tukada. Kuchahhadi; the Magaderu 20 at Dhrasanvel, the Gokesvara at Lovarali, the Ranakadevi temple at Wadhawan, the Limboji mata temple at Dalmal, 21 the Harasiddha mata temple at Harasiddh, the Hingolaja mata and right-angular temples 22 at Khandosan, the Vyaghesvari temple at Dhinoj, 23 the double-celled temples at Viramgam and Triple celled temples at Kasara 24 and Parabadi have double projection in the ground plan of their respective shrines. The Jain temples at Taranga (Ajitanatha), 25 Sarotra, 26 (Bavandhavaja), Ranakapura (Chaumukhaji); Vasai (Junagadhi), Miyani, Sejakapura, 27 and the Central shrine among the triple-shrine of Vastupala and Tejapala at Girnar, have double projections at their outer sides. Here, the external total length of the garbha-wall is divided in ratio of 1:2 or 2:3 i. e. the length occupied by either corner is either one half or two-third to that of the portion occupied by the projecting members. Here the double projections on the external side of the garbha-wall are divided into 12 sections in the case of the former ratio and into 10 sections in the case of the latter ratio. The ground plan of the garbhagrihas of the temples of Navalakha at Ghumli 29 and the Jain temples dedicated to 15. Somanatha and other Medieval Temples of Kathiawad Plt VIII. 22. Here Fig. 222. 23. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat XCVI, 3. 17. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat Pit. XCVI, 1, 24. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat LXXXVIII, 1. 16. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat Plt. LXXXII. 18 Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat Plt. XCVI, 3. 19. Somanatha and other Medieval Temples of Kathiawad LXV. 19 a. Somanatha and other Medieval Temples of Kathiawad LIV. 20. Here Fig. 242. 21. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat Plt. LXVI 25. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat Plt. CIX. 26. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat Plt. LXXVII. 27. Somanatha and other Medieval Temples of Kathiawad Plt. LXVIII. 28. Antiquities of Kaccha and Kathiawada Plt. XXXIV. 29. Antiquities of Kaccha and Kathiawada Plt. XLI.

338 The Structural Temples of Gujarat Neminatha at Girnar.30 and Kumbharia; 31 and the one of the cella dedicated to Malinatha in the triple-shrine of Vastupala and Tejapala temple at Girnar have one more additional projection on the outerwall of garbhagrihas between the double projections cited above. Here the external total length of the garbha wall is divided into 14 parts or sections almost equal in size, out of which 4 sections are occupied by either corner (equally divided) of the ground plan and the rest are distributed among the lateral projections. The central projection occupies six parts, the next on its either side have 4 (equally divisible) and the projections on the side of corners too have 4 (equally distributed on other side) parts. Between the above mentioned external projections the garbha-wall of the temples of Samalaji and Becharaji have double additional projections. That is in the case of these temples there are two more projections added to the usual projections. In this case the wall of the garbhagriha is externally divided into 16 equal parts. Four parts are occupied by the corners on either side, from the remaining 12, four parts are alloted to the central projection and hight to the additional projections equally distributed on the either side between central projection and the corner. The most elaborate variety in plan is octagonal or eight faced ground plan of the temple. In this variety the star-shaped form of the ground plan is approached by laying two squares over each other at angles of 45 degrees to form a plan with eight points, and four at half that angle to produce one of 30. Antiquities of Kaccha and Kathiawada Plt. XXXII. 32. Antiquities of Kaccha and Kathiawada Plt. XXXIV. 31. Brhad Shilpa Shastra II, p. 108.

The Ground Plan of the Garbhagrha 339 sixteen points. 33 Further, each side may have also laternal projections. The ground plan of the temple at Galatesvar ( Saranal ) 34 is eight-sided. Functions of projections :- The treatment of projections and recesses is a matter of absorbing interest to one who views a building as a composition in lights and shadows. The design of mouldings and the relative propositions of their projections are considered so as to fit in with the elaborate play of light and shadows. The intricacy and depth of mouldings, the sharpness and softness of their edges are qualities which lend nicety to structure. The projections and recessions, in otherwords, are designed as light-catching and shadow-throwing devices. (ii) An Indentification with defferent Types Discerned In The Canons. 3 In early works like BrIhat Samhita , 35 Meter P., 36 Agni Purana ,³7 Vk P.38 etc. the site of a shrine is required to be apportioned into compartments by dividing the length and breadth into an equal number of parts. (Viz. 64, 81, 100 etc.) such sites may be of any of the forms square, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, oval, circular etc. 33. ASWI, III, pp. 20-21 & Plt. XVIII. This shape is rare in Gujarat. The ground plan of Suryanarayana temple at Ranakapur is also octagonal. 34. ASWI, VIII, The Muhammadan Architecture of Ahmedabad. Pt. II, plt. LXXXIV. 35. BrIhat Samhita LII, 55-56. 36. Meter P. CCLIII, 19-48. 37. Agni Purana CIV. 1-4. 38. Vishvakarma Prakasha V. 5-23. sites should be divided into According to Visvakarma Silpa, which 8*8, 9*9 and which into 10*10 and so forth, is also explained. It prescribes two forms (viz. 8*8 & 9*9) for Prasadas (shrines ). rajavesbha niveseca grhadini ca vaninam | ekasi padenaiva sakrasthanam camapamet || prasadanvidhan chandamstathayam srastamandapan | ekasiti padenaiva sarvanetanpramayet ||

340 The Structural Temples of Gujarat In canonical works fundamental shapes-square (Vairaja) rectangular (Puspaka), round (Kailasa) oval (Manika) and octagonal. (Trivistapa) of the ground plan prescribed by Puranic works like Agni Purana , G. P. etc. are observed. 39 In the extant temples the first variety i. e. temples with square ( Vairaja ) garbhagrihas seems prevailing. Even the ground plan of the garbhagrha having the octagonal shape externally has square 40 garbhagriha internally. This is illustrated by the garbhagriha of the temple of Galatesvar (Sarnel)41 The five fundamental shapes prescribed by canonical works deal with the general shape of the ground plan (Ksetra) of the temple as a whole and not only with the ground plan of the garbhagrha. So in the case of temples having rectangular or octagonal shape, the ground plan of the garbhagriha at times is obviously found square, Nearly all the extant temples in view of the component parts that they comprise are rectangular in their general appearance but from the view point of the shape of the ground plan they are mostly square ( with few exceptions ). In canonical works the square shapes (Ksetra) of temples are divided into several sections or parts ranging from 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 30, 44 and so on, all comprising the device for achieving the square ground plan of the garbhagriha; for instance the ground plan of the Rucaka type 42 is divided into 4 parts out of which 2 parts are alloted for garbhagriha and the remaining 2 for walls enclosing 39. Samarangana Sutradhara XLIX, 3, 7-8; Aparajitapriccha CLV, 1-21. 40. The square is the fundamental form of an Indian Architecture. Baudhayana Sulva Sutra (1. 22-28) has prescribed the rules how by the help of the cord (Sutra), the square could be drawn. Three further methods are also prescribed in Sulva Sutras of both Baudhayan and Apastamba (Hindu Temple Vol. 1. p. 22). 41. ASWI, III, plt. XVIII. 42, Samarangana Sutradhara XLIX, LV, LVI, LVII, etc.

The Ground Plan of the Garbhagriha 341 garbhagriha i. e. here the ground plan comprises 16 equal parts, out of which the central 4 are reserved for the garbhagrha. The remaing 12 parts cover the walls of the garbhagriha.48 This may be illustrated in several temples of pre-Caulukyan period as well Caulukyan. The rectangular garbhagrha is termed 'Puspaka'. According to one canon 44 it is divided into the ratio of 2:1 i. e. the length of the garbhagriha is twice the width. According to another 45 it should have 5 parts in length (Ayama) and 4 parts in breadth (Vistara). But the rules given here seem not followed by the two extant examples of this shape. The garbhagriha at Kadvar measures 7*2-8 meters the ratio being almost 5:2. Here the width is found to be in ratio one half of that prescribed in Aparajitapriccha The garbhagrha at Kalsar is 4.3 *2.6 meters, the ratio almost being 8:5 It comes near the ratio given in Samarangana Sutradhara It will be interesting to note here that Aparajitapriccha even though classifying certain varieties of temples having rectangular shrines under the heads of various types of temples, prescribe a definite rule that except temples belonging to Daruja and Valabhi Type,46 the rectangular shape of the shrine may be avoided. Prasadamandan considers the rectangular garbhagrha as a defective one. 47 The device of dividing the ground plan in several parts such as 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 etc. serves two purposes, firstly it locates the position and size of the garbhagriha, circumambulatory and internal as well as external walls as the case may be; 43. Samarangana Sutradhara LVI, 45,; Aparajitapriccha, CLV, 3-4 / This is also prescribed by early works Agni Purana XLII, 1-2; Meter P. CCLXIX, 1-2. 44. Samarangana Sutradhara XLIX, 124 46. Aparajitapriccha CXXVI, 25 (i) 45. Aparajitapriccha CLV. 12. 47. dosadam garbhamayatma Pasada-mandana III, 3.

342 The Structural Temples of Gujarat secondly it prescribes the parts to be utilised by lateral projections on the external side of the garbha or circumambulatory or both. In Caulukyan temples the walls, outwardly which measure from outer corner to corner, are modified by addition of certain projections upon them. These projections, technically are known Nasikas 8. The corner lines of the garbha wall are are called Karnas 49 or Mulanasikas. And on this Mulanasika several projections called Nasikas are added. These nasikas may be 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, or even more in number. The technical names given to Nasikas are bhadra, 50 pratiratha, 51 nandi. 52 When the shrine is enclosed by pradiksana, the inner wall enclosing the shrine proper is known as antarbhitti in relation to the external wall which is called bahyabhitti. In such a case the projections either run parallel to both the walls or the inner wall is given a less number of projections or it is even left. entirely plain. * The projection at the centre is called bhadra. It is followed by a projection 'pratiratha' on its either side The projection called nandi is placed either between bhadra and pratiratha or between pratiratha and kona or between bhadra, pratiratha and kona ( i. e. mulanasika ). Further all these projections and karnas ( corners) at times, are further divided into several projections or recessed angles which give the portion occupied by them a more zigzag shape. The addition of these projectians on external sides of the garbha-walls present a variety of shape to the square ground plan of the garbhagriha. They will give rise to three (Tri), five (Panca), seven (Sapta) and even more projections to the wall of the shrine. 48. Also called Falana. 49. Also called Kona. 50. Also called Sala. 51. Also called Padhara 52. Also called Karnika or Uparatha.

The Ground Plan of the Garbhagrha 343 The horizontal projections upon the garbha walls are cut up by vertical chases giving rise to several panels and facets on the garbha walls. Vertically all the panels resulted from the projection of outer walls run up to the upper most part of the garbha walls (which correspondingly run directly upto the apex of the sikhara). The most conspicuos among these vertical chases or slits resulted from small projection are technically known as 'Panitaras' or Varimargas.^{3 3} The garbha-wall having the central (bhadra) projection only, on its three sides, is technically said Ekanasika.54 The external side of the wall being divisible into 8 sections, 4 sections alloted to the central bhadra and the remaining 4 divided in two equal parts alloted to the corner on either side of the bhadra, the tala (ground plan) of the garbhagriha is known as Astadha (Athai). This may be illustrated by the Sun temple at Prabhas on river Triveni. 55. 53. They are also known as 'Jalantaras, Udkantaras' Salilantaras. etc. These projections are also described by the works known as Ksirarnava (MS), Jnanaratnakosa (MS) and Diparnava as stated by the editor Sri. P. O. Sompura (Dipa, IX, 1-101 & f. n. 2.). He describes these projections as being raised from the base of the Sikhara and not from the base of the temple. But as stated above Aparajitapriccha states its rise from the base of the temple. In extant temples the practice is found both ways. Some temples display the rise of these projections from the very base of the temple correspondingly reaching to its apex; while in other temples they rise from the base of the Sikhara leaving the portion below quite plain. The practice both ways followed by extant temples is found supported by the canonical compilation Silpa Ratnakara (N. Meter Sompura) III, 95-102. 54. Vide here Fig. 243, a. 55. For other illustrations vide p. 336 above.

344 The Structural Temples of Gujarat The double projection i. e. that of 'bhadra' and 'pratiratha' upon the mulanasika (corner line) technically is known as Trinasika, 56 In this case the external side of the garbha wall being divisible in either 10 or 12 sections, the Tala (ground plan) is known as Dasadha or Dwadasdha (Dasai or Barai) respectively. The plan with double projections (those of bhadra and pratiratha) have been illustrated by many of the Caulukyan temples of Gujarat, as for instance the ground plans of the shrines of Modhera, Sander, Sunak, Harasiddha, Kasara etc.57 The triple projection of bhadra, pratiratha and nandi upon the mulanasika ( corner line) is, technically, known as Pancanasika, 58 and the tala (ground plan) being divided into 14 parts or sections, is known as Caturdasadha ( Caudai ). This ground plan is illustrated by the shrine of the temple at Ghumali. 59 When an additional nandi projection is added to the triple projection described above the projection is called 'Saptanasika'; 6 0 and the tala (ground plan) being divided into 16 equal parts is called Sodasa Tata (Solai ). This may be illustrated by the ground plan of the shrines at Samalaji and Becharaji. 56. Vide Here Fig. 243, b. 57. For other illustrations vide pp. 336-337 above. 58. Vide Here Fig. 243, c. 59. For other illustrations vide pp. 337-338 above. 60. Vide here Fig. 243, d.