Shiva Temple, Bavka: Difference between revisions

What links here Related changes Page information Get shortened URL
Created by Monkbot
Last edited March 24, 2026
VisualWikitext
imported>Monkbot
m Task 18 (cosmetic): eval 9 templates: del empty params (1×); hyphenate params (3×);
 
m corrected details also and cleaned formatting
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Infobox building
{{Infobox building
| name                = Bavka Shiva Temple
| name                = Bavka Shiva Temple (Khajuraho of Gujarat)
| native_name        =  
| native_name        =  
| native_name_lang    = gu
| native_name_lang    = gu
| logo                =
| logo                =  
| logo_size          =
| logo_size          =  
| logo_alt            =
| logo_alt            =  
| logo_caption        =
| logo_caption        =  
| image              = Bawka.jpg
| image              = Bawka.jpg
| image_size          =
| image_size          =  
| image_alt          = <!-- or | alt = -->
| image_alt          = <!-- or | alt = -->
| image_caption      =The ruined Shiva temple of Bavka
| image_caption      = The ruined Shiva temple of Bavka
| map_type            =
| pushpin_map_alt    =  
| map_alt            =
| pushpin_mapsize    =  
| map_size            =
| coordinates        = {{coord|region:IN-GJ|display=inline, title}}
| coordinates        = {{coord|region:IN-GJ|display=inline, title}}
| pushpin_map       = India Gujarat#India
| pushpin_map         = India Gujarat#India
| map_caption       = Location in Gujarat
| map_caption         = Location in Gujarat
| map_dot_label       = Bavka Temple
| pushpin_label       = Bavka Temple
| relief              =
| pushpin_relief      =  
| former_names        =
| former_names        =  
| alternate_names    =  
| alternate_names    =  
| etymology          =
| etymology          =  
| status              =
| status              =  
| cancelled          =
| cancelled          =  
| topped_out          =
| topped_out          =  
| building_type      = Hindu Temple
| building_type      = Hindu Temple
| architectural_style = [[Māru-Gurjara architecture]]
| architectural_style = [[Māru-Gurjara architecture]]
| classification      =
| classification      =  
| location            = Bavka village near [[Dahod]], [[Dahod district]], [[Gujarat]]
| location            = Bavka village near [[Dahod]], [[Dahod district]], [[Gujarat]]
| address            =
| address            =  
| location_town      =  
| location_town      =  
| location_country    = [[India]]
| location_country    = [[India]]
| altitude            =
| altitude            =  
| current_tenants    =
| current_tenants    =  
| namesake            =
| namesake            =  
| cost                =
| cost                =  
| height              =
| height              =  
| architectural      =
| architectural      =  
| roof                =
| roof                =  
| top_floor          =
| top_floor          =  
| observatory        =
| observatory        =  
| diameter            =
| diameter            =  
| circumference      =
| circumference      =  
| weight              =
| weight              =  
| other_dimensions    =
| other_dimensions    =  
| structural_system  =
| structural_system  =  
| material            = sandstone
| material            = sandstone
| size                =
| size                =  
| floor_count        =
| floor_count        =  
| floor_area          =
| floor_area          =  
| elevator_count      =
| elevator_count      =  
| grounds_area        =
| grounds_area        =  
| designations        = [[Archeological Survey of India|ASI]] [[Monument of National Importance]] (N-GJ-77)
| designations        = [[Archeological Survey of India|ASI]] [[Monument of National Importance]] (N-GJ-77)
| known_for          =  
| known_for          =  
| url                = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
| url                = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
| embed              =
| embed              =  
| embedded            =
| embedded            =  
}}
}}


The '''Shiva temple''' is located at Bavka in [[Dahod district]], [[Gujarat]], India. It is located on a [[Hillock|knoll]] near Hirlav lake between Bavka and Chandavada village, 14&nbsp;km from [[Dahod]].<ref name="Desai2007">{{cite book|author=Anjali H. Desai|title=India Guide Gujarat|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gZRLGZNZEoEC&pg=PA184|year=2007|publisher=India Guide Publications|isbn=978-0-9789517-0-2|page=184}}</ref>
The '''Shiva temple''' is located at Bavka in [[Dahod district]], [[Gujarat]], India. It is located on a [[Hillock|knoll]] near Hirlav lake between Bavka and Chandavada village, 14&nbsp;km from [[Dahod]].<ref name="Desai2007">{{cite book|author=Anjali H. Desai|title=India Guide Gujarat|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gZRLGZNZEoEC&pg=PA184|year=2007|publisher=India Guide Publications|isbn=978-0-9789517-0-2|page=184}}</ref> It was around 12th-13th century and an example of [[Māru-Gurjara architecture]] and ''[[Panchayatana (temple)|panchayatana]]'' style temple complex.


==History==
==History==
It was built during the reign of the last [[Chaulukya]] ruler [[Bhima II]] ({{reign|{{circa|1178}}|1240 CE}}).<ref name="Dhaky1961"/> Archaeologist [[Madhusudan Dhaky]] has placed this temple after Nilkantha Mahadeva temple of Miani ([[Vikram Samvat|VS 1260]], 1204 CE). But there is an inscription dated VS 1290 (1234 CE).<ref name="prt">{{cite book|title=Puratan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vi1uAAAAMAAJ|volume=6-7|year=1989|publisher=Department of Archaeology and Museums, Madhya Pradesh|pages=66–71}}</ref> According to local legend, it was built by a ''[[Devdasi]]'' (temple dancer) in a single night. It was damaged by [[Mahmud of Ghazni]].{{better source|date=September 2017}} The temple was neglected for years and several artifacts of the temples were stolen. The temple is inscribed as the [[Monument of National Importance]] (N-GJ-77) by the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] (ASI). It was restored by ASI in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/after-years-of-neglect-shiva-temple-in-dahod-to-get-a-facelift/472543/|title=After years of neglect, Shiva temple in Dahod to get a facelift|last=Pandya|first=Hitarth|date=7 June 2009|website=The Indian Express|language=en|access-date=2017-09-27}}</ref>
The temple was built during the reign of the last [[Chaulukya]] ruler [[Bhima II]] ({{reign|{{circa|1178}}|1240 CE}}).<ref name="Dhaky1961"/> Archaeologist [[Madhusudan Dhaky]] has placed this temple after Nilkantha Mahadeva temple of Miani ([[Vikram Samvat|VS 1260]], 1204 CE). But there is an inscription dated VS 1290 (1234 CE).<ref name="prt">{{cite book|title=Puratan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vi1uAAAAMAAJ|volume=6-7|year=1989|publisher=Department of Archaeology and Museums, Madhya Pradesh|pages=66–71}}</ref> According to local legend, it was built by a ''[[Devdasi]]'' (temple dancer) in a single night. It was damaged by [[Mahmud of Ghazni]].{{better source needed|date=September 2017}} The temple was neglected for years and several artifacts of the temples were stolen. The temple is inscribed as the [[Monument of National Importance]] (N-GJ-77) by the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] (ASI). It was restored by ASI in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/after-years-of-neglect-shiva-temple-in-dahod-to-get-a-facelift/472543/|title=After years of neglect, Shiva temple in Dahod to get a facelift|last=Pandya|first=Hitarth|date=7 June 2009|website=The Indian Express|language=en|access-date=2017-09-27}}</ref>


==Architecture==
==Architecture==
The temple is an example of [[Māru-Gurjara architecture]]. It is an east-facing ''[[Panchayatana (temple)|panchayatana]]'' type temple complex, one central temple with four subsidiary shrines in four [[cardinal direction]]s of it.<ref name="Dhaky1961"/>
The temple is an example of [[Māru-Gurjara architecture]]. It is an east-facing ''[[Panchayatana (temple)|panchayatana]]'' type temple complex, one central temple with four subsidiary shrines in four [[cardinal direction]]s of it.<ref name="Dhaky1961"/>


This temple considered as the finest temple of its period. The temple constructed by sandstone is now in ruined condition. It stands of the plinth (''jagati'') and stylistically its similar to the temple at Sunak, though larger in size. The hall (''rangamandapa'') is also ruined. The ''jalaka'' work as well as the curvature of the minor ''shringa''s of spire (''shikhara'') resembles that at Miani which helps in establishing its date. Other helping factors include the types of sculptures and decorations. The dwarf pillars of the hall (''mandapa'') are simple. The roof of the temple is destroyed.<ref name="Dhaky1961">{{cite journal|first=Madhusudan A.|last=Dhaky|author-link=Madhusudan Dhaky|year=1961|editor-last=Deva|editor-first=Krishna|title=The Chronology of the Solanki Temples of Gujarat|url=http://vmis.in/Resources/digital_publication_popup?id=136#page/68|journal=Journal of the Madhya Pradesh Itihas Parishad|publisher=Madhya Pradesh Itihas Parishad|publication-place=[[Bhopal]]|volume=3|pages=65}}</ref><ref name="prt"/><ref name="(India)1972">{{cite book|author=Gujarat (India)|title=Gujarat State Gazetteers: Panchmahals|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nx8bAAAAIAAJ|year=1972|publisher=Directorate of Government Print., Stationery and Publications, Gujarat State|pages=91, 758}}</ref> The fragments of collapsed spire and the hall are scattered nearby.<ref name="Desai2007"/><ref name="Sompura1968">{{cite book|last=Sompura|first=Kantilal F.|title=The Structural Temples of Gujarat, Upto 1600 A.D.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dXTqAAAAMAAJ|year=1968|publisher=Gujarat University|page=173}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sadhanaweekly.com/Encyc/2016/3/11/Sunrise-Dahod-s-Brilliant-Taluka-s-Speciality|title=ઊગતા સૂર્યના પ્રદેશ દાહોદના તેજસ્વી તાલુકાઓની વિશેષતા|date=11 March 2016|website=Sadhana Weekly|access-date=2017-09-27}}</ref>
This temple considered as the finest temple of its period. The temple constructed by sandstone is now in ruined condition. It stands of the plinth (''jagati'') and stylistically its similar to the temple at Sunak, though larger in size. The hall (''rangamandapa'') is also ruined. The ''jalaka'' work as well as the curvature of the minor ''shringa''s of spire (''shikhara'') resembles that at Miani which helps in establishing its date. Other helping factors include the types of sculptures and decorations. The dwarf pillars of the hall (''mandapa'') are simple. The roof of the temple is destroyed.<ref name="Dhaky1961">{{cite journal|first=Madhusudan A.|last=Dhaky|author-link=Madhusudan Dhaky|year=1961|editor-last=Deva|editor-first=Krishna|title=The Chronology of the Solanki Temples of Gujarat|url=http://vmis.in/Resources/digital_publication_popup?id=136#page/68|journal=Journal of the Madhya Pradesh Itihas Parishad|publisher=Madhya Pradesh Itihas Parishad|publication-place=[[Bhopal]]|volume=3|pages=65}}</ref><ref name="prt"/><ref name="(India)1972">{{cite book|author=Gujarat (India)|title=Gujarat State Gazetteers: Panchmahals|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nx8bAAAAIAAJ|year=1972|publisher=Directorate of Government Print., Stationery and Publications, Gujarat State|pages=91, 758}}</ref> The fragments of collapsed spire and the hall are scattered nearby.<ref name="Desai2007"/><ref name="Sompura1968">{{cite book|last=Sompura|first=Kantilal F.|title=The Structural Temples of Gujarat, Upto 1600 A.D.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dXTqAAAAMAAJ|year=1968|publisher=Gujarat University|page=173| isbn=9780861862450 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sadhanaweekly.com/Encyc/2016/3/11/Sunrise-Dahod-s-Brilliant-Taluka-s-Speciality|title=ઊગતા સૂર્યના પ્રદેશ દાહોદના તેજસ્વી તાલુકાઓની વિશેષતા|date=11 March 2016|website=Sadhana Weekly|access-date=2017-09-27|archive-date=2017-06-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603073821/http://www.sadhanaweekly.com/Encyc/2016/3/11/Sunrise-Dahod-s-Brilliant-Taluka-s-Speciality|url-status=dead}}</ref>


The outer walls and the door of sanctum is filled with carvings of deities and celestial beings (''[[apsara]]''s). They are mostly in 64x95x36 cm in size. It has numerous erotics sculptures, earning it the name, ''[[Khajuraho]] of Gujarat''.<ref name="Desai2007"/><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/news-hf/MGUJ-DAH-OMC-khajuraho-temple-of-gujarat-had-been-built-in-10th-century-5015893-PHO.html|title= દાહોદ પાસે આવેલ બાવકાનું શિવ પંચાયત મંદિર એટલે 'ગુજરાતનું ખજૂરાહોનું મંદિર'|date= 8 June 2015 |publisher= [[Divya Bhaskar]]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150607225227/http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/news-hf/MGUJ-DAH-OMC-khajuraho-temple-of-gujarat-had-been-built-in-10th-century-5015893-PHO.html|archive-date= 7 June 2015|access-date=27 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Sharma|first=Preeti|title=Gendering of Art through Religious Symbolism: Mapping Depictions of Feminine Sexuality in Hindu Temple Architecture|journal=Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences|volume=18.1 & 2 |year=2015|url=https://www.inflibnet.ac.in/ojs/index.php/SHSS/article/download/2990/2229}}</ref>
The outer walls and the door of sanctum is filled with carvings of deities and celestial beings (''[[apsara]]''s). They are mostly in 64x95x36 cm in size. It has numerous erotics sculptures, earning it the name, ''[[Khajuraho]] of Gujarat''.<ref name="Desai2007"/><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/news-hf/MGUJ-DAH-OMC-khajuraho-temple-of-gujarat-had-been-built-in-10th-century-5015893-PHO.html|title= દાહોદ પાસે આવેલ બાવકાનું શિવ પંચાયત મંદિર એટલે 'ગુજરાતનું ખજૂરાહોનું મંદિર'|date= 8 June 2015 |publisher= [[Divya Bhaskar]]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150607225227/http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/news-hf/MGUJ-DAH-OMC-khajuraho-temple-of-gujarat-had-been-built-in-10th-century-5015893-PHO.html|archive-date= 7 June 2015|access-date=27 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Sharma|first=Preeti|title=Gendering of Art through Religious Symbolism: Mapping Depictions of Feminine Sexuality in Hindu Temple Architecture|journal=Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences|volume=18.1 & 2 |year=2015|url=https://www.inflibnet.ac.in/ojs/index.php/SHSS/article/download/2990/2229}}</ref>
Line 73: Line 72:
==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed">
<gallery mode="packed">
File:0092723 Mahadev temple, Bavka Dahod Gujarat 050.jpg|Entrance of the sanctum
File:Bavaka,shiv mandir at dahod,gujarat india (4).jpg|from north side
File:Bavaka,shiv mandir at dahod,gujarat india (3).jpg|from front
File:Bawka Shiva temple- dahod.jpg|temple from behind and foundation of a former shrine
File:Bavaka,shiv mandir at dahod,gujarat india (5).jpg|Sculpture
File:Bavaka,shiv mandir at dahod,gujarat india (5).jpg|Sculpture
File:Bavaka,shiv mandir at dahod,gujarat india (6).jpg|Sculptures of elephants
File:Bavaka,shiv mandir at dahod,gujarat india (6).jpg|Sculptures of elephants
File:Bavaka,shiv mandir at dahod,gujarat india (7).jpg|Sculpture
File:Bavaka,shiv mandir at dahod,gujarat india (7).jpg|Sculpture
File:Bavaka,shiv mandir at dahod,gujarat india (4).jpg|from north side
File:Bavaka,shiv mandir at dahod,gujarat india (3).jpg|from front
File:Bawka Shiva temple- dahod.jpg|from behind
</gallery>
</gallery>
{{commonscat}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
{{Hindu temples in Gujarat}}


[[Category:Hindu temples in Gujarat]]
== External links ==
[[Category:Destroyed temples]]
{{commons category}}{{Hindu temples in Gujarat}}
 
[[Category:Monuments of National Importance in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Monuments of National Importance in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Dahod district]]
[[Category:Dahod district]]
[[Category:Cultural history of Gujarat]]
[[Category:13th-century Hindu temples]]
[[Category:13th-century Hindu temples]]
[[Category:Shiva temples in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Shiva temples in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Māru-Gurjara architecture]]
[[Category:Māru-Gurjara architecture]]
[[Category:Hindu temples sacked in the Muslim period in the Indian subcontinent]]

Latest revision as of 09:23, 24 March 2026

Bavka Shiva Temple (Khajuraho of Gujarat)
The ruined Shiva temple of Bavka
Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 399: Malformed coordinates value.
The ruined Shiva temple of Bavka
General information
TypeHindu Temple
Architectural styleMāru-Gurjara architecture
LocationBavka village near Dahod, Dahod district, Gujarat
CountryIndia
CoordinatesCoordinates: Missing latitude
Invalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function
Technical details
Materialsandstone
DesignationsASI Monument of National Importance (N-GJ-77)

The Shiva temple is located at Bavka in Dahod district, Gujarat, India. It is located on a knoll near Hirlav lake between Bavka and Chandavada village, 14 km from Dahod.[1] It was around 12th-13th century and an example of Māru-Gurjara architecture and panchayatana style temple complex.

History[edit | edit source]

The temple was built during the reign of the last Chaulukya ruler Bhima II (r. c. 1178 – 1240 CE).[2] Archaeologist Madhusudan Dhaky has placed this temple after Nilkantha Mahadeva temple of Miani (VS 1260, 1204 CE). But there is an inscription dated VS 1290 (1234 CE).[3] According to local legend, it was built by a Devdasi (temple dancer) in a single night. It was damaged by Mahmud of Ghazni.[better source needed] The temple was neglected for years and several artifacts of the temples were stolen. The temple is inscribed as the Monument of National Importance (N-GJ-77) by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). It was restored by ASI in 2009.[4]

Architecture[edit | edit source]

The temple is an example of Māru-Gurjara architecture. It is an east-facing panchayatana type temple complex, one central temple with four subsidiary shrines in four cardinal directions of it.[2]

This temple considered as the finest temple of its period. The temple constructed by sandstone is now in ruined condition. It stands of the plinth (jagati) and stylistically its similar to the temple at Sunak, though larger in size. The hall (rangamandapa) is also ruined. The jalaka work as well as the curvature of the minor shringas of spire (shikhara) resembles that at Miani which helps in establishing its date. Other helping factors include the types of sculptures and decorations. The dwarf pillars of the hall (mandapa) are simple. The roof of the temple is destroyed.[2][3][5] The fragments of collapsed spire and the hall are scattered nearby.[1][6][7]

The outer walls and the door of sanctum is filled with carvings of deities and celestial beings (apsaras). They are mostly in 64x95x36 cm in size. It has numerous erotics sculptures, earning it the name, Khajuraho of Gujarat.[1][8][9]

Gallery[edit | edit source]

  • Entrance of the sanctum
    Entrance of the sanctum
  • from north side
    from north side
  • from front
    from front
  • temple from behind and foundation of a former shrine
    temple from behind and foundation of a former shrine
  • Sculpture
    Sculpture
  • Sculptures of elephants
    Sculptures of elephants
  • Sculpture
    Sculpture

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Anjali H. Desai (2007). India Guide Gujarat. India Guide Publications. p. 184. ISBN 978-0-9789517-0-2.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Dhaky, Madhusudan A. (1961). Deva, Krishna (ed.). "The Chronology of the Solanki Temples of Gujarat". Journal of the Madhya Pradesh Itihas Parishad. 3. Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Itihas Parishad: 65.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Puratan. Vol. 6–7. Department of Archaeology and Museums, Madhya Pradesh. 1989. pp. 66–71.
  4. ↑ Pandya, Hitarth (7 June 2009). "After years of neglect, Shiva temple in Dahod to get a facelift". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2017-09-27.
  5. ↑ Gujarat (India) (1972). Gujarat State Gazetteers: Panchmahals. Directorate of Government Print., Stationery and Publications, Gujarat State. pp. 91, 758.
  6. ↑ Sompura, Kantilal F. (1968). The Structural Temples of Gujarat, Upto 1600 A.D. Gujarat University. p. 173. ISBN 9780861862450.
  7. ↑ "ઊગતા સૂર્યના પ્રદેશ દાહોદના તેજસ્વી તાલુકાઓની વિશેષતા". Sadhana Weekly. 11 March 2016. Archived from the original on 2017-06-03. Retrieved 2017-09-27.
  8. ↑ "દાહોદ પાસે આવેલ બાવકાનું શિવ પંચાયત મંદિર એટલે 'ગુજરાતનું ખજૂરાહોનું મંદિર'". Divya Bhaskar. 8 June 2015. Archived from the original on 7 June 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  9. ↑ Sharma, Preeti (2015). "Gendering of Art through Religious Symbolism: Mapping Depictions of Feminine Sexuality in Hindu Temple Architecture". Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences. 18.1 & 2.

External links[edit | edit source]

Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shiva_Temple,_Bavka&oldid=472416"
Discover more