Bavka Shiva Mandir- Gujarat

Address

Bavka Shiva Mandir- Bavka, Dahod Taluk Gujarat 389152

Diety

Shiva

Introduction

This Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Bavka Village in Dahod Taluk in Dahod District, in the Indian state of Gujarat. The temple is located on a small hill near Hirlav Lake between Chandwada and Bavka village.

Puranic Significance

According to legend, the temple is said to have been constructed overnight by a Devadasi (temple dancer). Historically, the temple was built during the reign of the last Chaulukya ruler, Bhima II (1178 – 1240 CE). An inscription dated to 1234 CE has been found within the temple.

Special Features

The temple faced damage and looting during the invasions of Mahmud of Ghazni and subsequent Muslim conquests, resulting in the theft of several valuable artifacts. The temple, which faces east and follows the Maru-Gurjara style of architecture, is designed in the Panchayatana architectural style. Panchayatana architecture involves the construction of the main shrine on a raised platform with four smaller subsidiary shrines at the four corners, totaling five shrines in all. However, the main shrine, platform, and all four subsidiary shrines are now in a state of ruin.

The main shrine originally consisted of a sanctum, antrala, and ranga mandapa, but its roof is completely lost, and the side walls of the mandapa are in ruins. The ranga mandapa has an octagonal plan, and the dwarf pillars in the hall are simple. The central pillars that once supported the roof can be found among the scattered ruins in the temple. The shikhara (tower) over the sanctum no longer exists, but it was known for its horizontal geometric and figurative bands, rising to create a Mount Meru-like shikhara, adorned with miniature shrines known as Urushringa. Fragments of the collapsed shikhara and hall can be found nearby. The outer walls and the door of the sanctum are intricately carved with depictions of deities and apsaras in dancing postures, adorned with elaborate ornaments. The temple is renowned for its numerous sculptures, earning it the nickname “Khajuraho of Gujarat.”