Brahma Temple or Brahmaji Mandir is a

Hindu temple A Hindu temple, or ''mandir'' or ''koil'' in Indian languages, is a house, seat and body of divinity for Hindus. It is a structure designed to bring human beings and gods together through worship, sacrifice, and devotion.; Quote: "The Hind ...

dedicated to

Brahma Brahma ( sa, ब्रह्मा, Brahmā) is a Hindu god, referred to as "the Creator" within the Trimurti, the trinity of supreme divinity that includes Vishnu, and Shiva.Jan Gonda (1969)The Hindu Trinity Anthropos, Bd 63/64, H 1/2, pp. 21 ...

Khedbrahma Khedbrahma () is a town and a taluka headquarter in Khedbrahma Taluka of Sabarkantha district, Gujarat, India. It is situated on the banks of Harnav river. The town is connected with mythological history and has been pilgrim site for centuries. ...

Gujarat Gujarat (, ) is a state along the western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the fifth-largest Indian state by area, covering some ; and the ninth ...

, India. It is built in third quarter of the 11th century.

History

The temples dedicated to

are uncommon in India. According to M. A. Dhaky, it was built in third quarter of the 11th century during the reign of

Chaulukya The Chaulukya dynasty (), also Solanki dynasty, was a dynasty that ruled parts of what are now Gujarat and Rajasthan in north-western India, between and . Their capital was located at Anahilavada (modern Patan). At times, their rule extended ...

king

Karna Karna (Sanskrit: कर्ण, IAST: ''Karṇa''), also known as Vasusena, Anga-raja, and Radheya, is one of the main protagonists of the Hindu epic '' Mahābhārata''. He is the son of the sun god Surya and princess Kunti (mother of the ...

Architecture

The east facing Brahma temple is situated in the middle of the village. The spire, ''mandapa'' (dome) and doorway must have been destroyed which are rebuilt later in bricks and mortar. It is built of white sandstone and cement-covered bricks. It is 57 feet long, 30 feet broad, and 36 feet high. The sanctum is 32 feet wide which is ''navaratha'' in ''anga'' and ''hastangula'' in plan and is of fully decorated class. Its ''pitha'' (base), the ''vedibandha'' and the ''mandovara'' (middle part of the wall) is resemble to the temple at Sunak. The lower part of main shrine is intact and is filled with images of gods, goddesses and

apsaras An apsaras or apsara ( sa, अप्सरा ' lso ' pi, अक्चरा, translit=accharā) is a type of female spirit of the clouds and waters in Hinduism and Buddhist culture. They figure prominently in the sculpture, dance, literat ...

. These images in ''jangha'' portion are poorly retouched. The chauri-bearers on ''nandika'' are elegantly carved which are common in 11th century temples. The ''phansana'' roof resembles Vimala Vasahi temple and is crowned with a ''ghanta''. There are images of Brahma in the niches on the three sides. The modern ''

mandapa A mandapa or mantapa () is a pillared hall or pavilion for public rituals in Indian architecture, especially featured in Hindu temple architecture. Mandapas are described as "open" or "closed" depending on whether they have walls. In temples, ...

'' hall has four pillars reused from the original ''mandapa''. They are octagonal and has carvings of bells and chains with band of ''

kirtimukha Kirtimukha (Sanskrit: कीर्तिमुख ,', also ', a bahuvrihi compound translating to "glorious face") is the name of a swallowing fierce monster face with huge fangs, and gaping mouth, very common in the iconography of Hindu temple arc ...

'' faces on the top. The doorway can be original or the modern one. It has floral patterns and minor sculptures. The dedicatory block in the centre has

Ganesha Ganesha ( sa, गणेश, ), also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the best-known and most worshipped deities in the Hindu pantheon and is the Supreme God in Ganapatya sect. His image is found throughout India. Hindu d ...

. The interior has no ornamental carvings. The image of three-faced and four-armed standing Brahma is 1.8 m (5' 6") high. There are goose on either sides of the image. The image seems later installation or the older image plaster with cement to merge broken parts.

Gallery

File:Brahmaji Temple of Khedbrahma8.jpg, Idol of Brahma and his two consorts Gayatri and Savitri File:Brahmaji Temple at Khedbrahma.jpg, Entrance File:Brahmaji Temple of Khedbrahma12.jpg, Exterior File:Brahmaji Temple in Khedbrahma.jpg, ''Mandapa'' of the temple

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Brahma Temple, Khedbrahma 11th-century Hindu temples Hindu temples in Gujarat Khedbrahma Brahma temples Sabarkantha district Māru-Gurjara architecture

History

Architecture

Gallery

See also

References