A lesser - known edifice of the late Gupta period is the 6th century Shiva Temple located in the obscure village of Sakour. Archaeological excavations conducted in this village have uncovered coins of Maharajadhiraja Shri Samudragupta, Maharajadhiraja Shri Chandragupta and Maharajadhiraja Shri Skandagupta indicating that this village must have been an important seat of learning,... Continue Reading →
Badoh and the neighbouring village of Pathari formed a part of the ancient town of Badnagar (Vatanagara), a prosperous trading hub in the days of the Gurjara - Pratiharas. As per inscriptions found, this region was dotted with temples belonging to the olden days though countless of them have either disappeared entirely or are buried... Continue Reading →
Coined the 'Khajuraho of Sariska' and 'Khajuraho of Aravalli', the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple situated atop a hillock in the midst of stunning natural beauty is a prized architectural gem of the ancient times. This temple located deep inside the protected Sariska Tiger Reserve is believed to have been established by the Pancha Pandavas. According... Continue Reading →
The Baroli group of Temples, one of the earliest temple complexes in Rajasthan has received much admiration from historians, artisans, architects and archaeologists for its sublime beauty and elegance. Since its discovery during the British Raj, this temple complex has been researched in detail, photographed and written about in many publications. The oldest, largest... Continue Reading →
Sringar Chauri, an elegant ranga mandapa is the last structure built in the Badoli group of Temples. Deemed to be the finest of its time, this late 10th century edifice is largely accepted to be an extension to the famous Ghateshwara Temple. This pillared hall on plan has a square space in the middle with... Continue Reading →
The Trimurti Temple (also known as the Sadashiva Temple or Maheshwara Temple or Trimurti Shiva Temple) in the Baroli group of Temples is perhaps one of the most underrated temples of its time. Listed as Temple No. 4 by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), this 10th century temple is a fine example of the... Continue Reading →
The Seshashayan Temple listed as Temple No. 2 in the Baroli group of Temples by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is a 10th century edifice of the Gurjara – Pratiharas. This temple stands near the Shiv Temple built in the middle of the ancient kund. The original temple in plan had an ardha mandapa,... Continue Reading →
Listed as Temple No. 3 in the Baroli group of Temples by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the 10th century Shiv Temple seated in the middle of an ancient kund is an outstanding example of artistic excellence, architectural mastery and unique sculptural art. This temple built by the Gurjara – Pratiharas in the typical Nagara... Continue Reading →
The Ganesha Temple listed as Temple No. 8 in the Baroli group of Temples by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is a stunning 10th century edifice. This temple built by the Gurjara – Pratiharas in the typical Nagara style of architecture is a fine example of understated elegance and exquisite craftsmanship. This south... Continue Reading →
One of the most beautiful temples in the Baroli group of Temples is the 10th century Ashtamata Temple. This temple built by the Gurjara - Pratiharas in the typical Nagara style of architecture is an outstanding example of subtle elegance combined with exquisite craftsmanship. The temple also known as Mahishasura Mardini Temple faces east... Continue Reading →
The Baroli group of Temples located in the sleepy village of Baroli is an excellent example of 10th century temple architecture. Built by the Gurjara - Pratiharas in the typical Nagara style, this temple complex is one of the earliest of its kind comprising of nine temples built as per the tenets of the Shilpa... Continue Reading →
The mighty Jhalas became a formidable force in the Saurashtra region by the late 11th century and formed seats of power at Santalpur, Halvad and Kankavati. They established the capital city of Dhrangadhra in the mid-18th century which eventually became a princely state till Independence. Dhrangadhra has been of tremendous interest to historians, archaeologists... Continue Reading →
Perhaps, one of the deepest stepwells in Gujarat, the Bhamaria vav located a little away from the hustle and bustle of Sojali village has remained in obscurity for centuries. This 15th century vav was built as a pavilion inside an existing well-laid out garden. Though the stepwell and the surroundings are in ruins today, the imposing... Continue Reading →
One of the earliest stepwells or vavs of Gujarat is the 11th century Mata Bhavani ni vav located at Asarva in Ahmedabad. This east-facing vav was built by the Solankis and renovated by the Vaghelas in the 14th century before being confiscated by the Gujarat Sultanate. Interestingly, this vav is one of the longest along the east -... Continue Reading →
Stepwells built in Akhanda Bharat since the ancient times offer valuable insight into the social and cultural propensity, religious practices and architecture and art of that period. These vavs are ingenious edifices built with locally available materials and display a rare harmony of structural soundness and architectural excellence. It is very uncommon to find stepwells... Continue Reading →
Gujarat is dotted with innumerable stepwells that offer a glimpse into the religious and social practices, cultural traditions and customs and art and architecture of that period. Though a fair number of these have either fallen into a state of disrepair or disuse, there is a spirited movement across the state by several heritage enthusiasts... Continue Reading →
One of the lesser-known stepwells built in the 12th century by the valorous Siddharaja Jayasimha of the Solankis is the Brahma Kund in Sihor. This magnificent structure has in fact also great spiritual significance and has even been mentioned in the Puranas thereby, suggesting that this stepwell was built around an ancient kund. As... Continue Reading →
A forgotten edifice of perhaps the 9th - 13th century which was a golden period in the history of the Baroda State is the Prachin Mandir where the Hazira stands today in Danteshwar. The Baroda State, traditionally rich in culture, history, art, architecture, literature and philosophy was ruled by valorous Hindu kings for centuries. ... Continue Reading →
Gujarat's famed nyay ka prateek (symbol of justice) is the thousand-year-old Malav Talav in Dholka built in the 11th century (perhaps 1050 CE) by the chaste and wise Maharani Minal Devi of the Solanki dynasty. Maharani was revered by one and all for her philanthropy, kindness and virtue. She was perhaps one of the... Continue Reading →
Bhadra, now known as Ahmedabad under the patronage of the mighty Paramaras was considered to be the grandest city of Western India with magnificent temples, halls, dharmashalas and palatial quarters. A cursory glance at the edifices in Malwa and surrounding areas of west central India between the 9th -14th century will give you an idea of... Continue Reading →
Anahilapataka, modern-day Patan is a treasure trove of magnificent edifices from the 9th century onwards. This prosperous city was established in the 8th century by Raja Vanaraja of the Chavda dynasty and became the capital of the Chaulukya dynasty also known as the Solanki dynasty between the 10th to 13th century. The city really... Continue Reading →
Bharuch, on the banks of the sacrosanct Narmada River is one of the oldest cities in Western India of immense historical, geographical, economic and spiritual importance. This ancient city has been revered by yogis, saints and tapasvis in scriptural commentaries and finds mention in important Hindu texts. This grand seaport has been a thriving commercial... Continue Reading →
Ahmedabad, the seat of power for centuries is dotted with beautiful temples built by the Chaulukya dynasty also known as the Solanki dynasty and the Vaghelas. This prosperous town on the banks of the Sabarmati River came under attack from the Delhi Sultanate and was finally ruled by the Gujarat Sultanate for years. The... Continue Reading →
Dholka, a merchant's haven during the reign of the valorous Chaulukya dynasty also known as the Solanki dynasty and the capital of the Vaghelas is the sacred land of King Virata of Matsyanagar or Viratdesh in the Mahabharat where the Pancha Pandavas and Divya Janani Draupadi spent a year in agyatvas. This ancient city used to be dotted with temples, halls, palatial... Continue Reading →
sahasa.in 