Galteshwar Temple

The Galteshwar is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, located at Sarnal village near Dakor in Kheda district, Gujarat, India. The 12th century temple is unique in its style and of its period because it is built in central Indian Malwa style, ''bhumija'', without influence of Paramara architecture and with influence of Gujarati Chaulukya architecture. It has a square ''garbhagriha'' (shrine proper) as well as octagonal ''mandapa'' (dancing hall).

Location

The temple is located at the confluence of the Galta or Galti and Mahi rivers near Sarnal village. The temple received its name from the Galta river.

History

The temple is associated with Galav, the Rishi from Puranas and a devoted king Chandrahas from Hindu mythology.

Hasmukh Sankalia has identified it with the Chalukya architecture based on its circular shrine proper, crucifix-form dancing hall and the ornamentation. Madhusudan Dhaky disputed it and mentioned the Gujarati architectural influence in ''shikhara'' and moldings and decorations on its basement and wall proper. Dhaky opines that the temple may have been constructed by someone who did not have first-hand information of the ''bhumija'' style of Malwa and rather depended on the Gujarat texts which treats ''bhumija'' style in Gujarati architecture. ''Aparajtaprccha'' is one such 12th century Gujarati text based on the Malwa text ''Samarangana Sutradhara''. So the temple must have been constructed in the 12th century. The moldings, decorations, and the sculptures resemble the Kumarapala Temple at Somnath and other shrines built in 12th century during the reign of the Chaulukya ruler Kumarapala.

The temple is the Monument of National Importance (N-GJ-144) protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The ''shikhara'' as well as the ''mandapa'' of the temple collapsed in 1908. The restoration of ''shikhara'' was completed by ASI in September 2021.

Architecture

The Galteshwar temple is a ''bhumija'' style temple which is rarest known of Gujarat. The ''bhumija'' style was the popular style in the regions under the rule of Malwa. The temple is also rare ''ashtabhadra'' or ''ashtashala'' plan ''bhumija'' temple found rarely even in central India such as the temple at Arang. The temple is completely devoid of the Paramara influence. The temple is ''nirandhara'' type having the ''garbhagriha'' (shrine proper) and the ''mandapa'' (dancing hall).

''Garbhagriha''

The shrine proper is located lower to the level of the ''mandapa'' and is square from inside. From outside, the shrine is circular with a diameter of 24 feet with numerous projections and recesses. The recesses have seven niches with the images of Dikpalas, the guardian deities of the eight directions. The front wall of the shrine proper is carved with ornamentation and figures which include different forms of Shiva which are now badly mutilated. The doorway is profusely ornamented with ''rupastambha''s of Abu style. The figures and carvings include ''gandharva''s, ascetics, horse riders, elephant riders, chariots, palanquins and the events of life, from birth to death.

''Mandapa''

The eight-sided ''mandapa'' has several projecting angles similar to Chaulukya temples in Gujarat like the sun temple of Modhera, Somnath temple and Sejakpur temple. The ''mandapa'' is in the crucifix form. It has three ''bhuja''s instead of usual two ''bhuja''s in the rear part.

There are eight inner pillars and sixteen outer smaller pillars which supports the roof of the ''mandapa''. The smaller pillars have the smaller shaft, capital, and the brackets. The inner pillars have a square base with cut corners followed by two small necks. It is followed by the square shaft for the one-third height of the pillar, then octagonal for the half of the height of the pillar, then smaller sixteen sided shaft and then a circular shaft decorated with a band of the ''kirtimukha''s. It is crowned by the capital with dripping leaves ornamentation separated from the shaft by the narrow neck. The brackets have dwarfs and the ''kirtimukha''s. The sub-capital is vase shaped and the brackets is ornamented with dwarfs and volutes. They do not have ''padmashila'' carving. The ''shikhara'' was also ''bhumija'' in interpretation and Gujarat style components such as ''kutastambhika''s and ''shringa''s. The ''surasenaka'' of ''bhumija'' styled ''shikhara'' is also present but its morphology is different than the Paramara style.

Gallery

File:Galteshwar Mahadev Temple Gujarat.jpg, General view of the temple
File:Adhisthana (base) of Galteshwar temple.jpg, Adhisthana (base) of the temple
File:Back view of the Galteshwar temple.jpg, Back view of ''Garbhagriha''
File:Close view of Mandapa, Galteshwar temple.jpg, ''Mandapa'' pillars of the left

Culture

Two fairs are held at Galteshwar every year, on Janmashtami and on Sharad Purnima. The temple is visited by large number of devotees on Mahashivaratri.

References

{{Hindu temples in Gujarat

Hindu temples in Gujarat
12th-century Hindu temples
Cultural history of Gujarat
Shiva temples in Gujarat
Tourist attractions in Kheda district
Archaeological sites in Gujarat
12th-century establishments in India
Monuments of National Importance in Gujarat
Māru-Gurjara architecture