
Sculpture is still permeated with much of the dynamism and sensuousness of Gupta times, with an appended element of baroque overstatement, while the actual material of the temple lends itself more sculptural treatment. Highly observational, diverse, prosperous and even flamboyant, sometimes scattered, the temple architecture, and to a lesser amount, sculpture of the Gupta period is the most stirring in all Indian art, and in western India it can be still be seen in comparative large quantity.
A number of interesting and normally tiny shrines in Saurashtra, in the southwest corner of
Gujarat, may include the oldest surviving structures in western India-unless. They are predominantly bhiimiprasadas, somewhat pyramidal, with tiers of kapotas, exemplifying storeys and a baffling assortment of other components- in the corners, small square pavilions, normally in the southern form, alternate with amalakas, and on certain occasions the superstructure is topped by a Dravida shikhara. Gavasakas, simple, unembellished, and of a size and audacity quite unknown at the time elsewhere in India, lend these temples a stark individualism, though the common effect of their plain walls, without recesses or expression and with trivial or no carving, is rather terrible. In at least two temples (Nos.2 and 5 at Bharyasara) the superstructures are more Dravidian (southern) compared to Nagara (northern), moreover, sanctums and hall are nearly enclosed by a single rectangular wall, even where there is a more conservative Nagara superstructure.

The temple at Gop has three protrusions on a side, incorporating recesses. A frieze of garyas is another early western Chalukya feature. The entryway appears to have been unadorned. Its inimitable and exceedingly graceful superstructure, comprising two sloping rectilinear roofs superimposed, the lower bearing two tremendous gavasakas to a side, the upper one a single one, is the earliest instance of a phamsana roof. The slight sculptural ruins at Gop comprise images of Lord Vishnu and a Skanda, two door keepers, a Rama, and a seated woman in one of the gavasakas of the roof. The style suggests a late 6th century date and, as with some of the other temples, a link with the early western Chalukyas.
The Shiva temple at Kusuma, west of Mt. Abu, known as the Ramachandraji, is still a work of enormous essence and exquisiteness. It has similarities with early western Chalukya temples of the 7th and 8th centuries comprise the central pillars with brackets supported by the protruding busts of youthful figurines. Nothing beats the excessive marble sculpturing developed by the Jains at their temples. The jain temples have large statues of their tirthankaras enshrined in the sanctum. Jain temple architecture is characterized by its profusion of sculpturing. The best examples are at
Mount Abu and Ranakpur. Ranakpur consists of a fortified complex of temples that arose in Mewar. The temple of Adinath is characterized by its excess sculpture.
Dwarakadhish Temple of Gujarat is dedicated to Lord Krishna. It consists of sixty carved pillars and a number of sculptures that depict the influence of various dynasties such as the Guptas, Pallavas and Chavdas (referring to Chavda Kingdom) that ruled Dwarka over the years.
The
Sun Temple, Modhera, Gujarat is dedicated to sun God that was built during the rule of Solanki dynasty. This temple is also known for its erotic sculptures.
Hinduism,
Buddhism and
Jainism have presented erotic motifs in their art. Intimate scenes have been displayed, at the exterior walls of the main temple itself.
The Kailasanathar Temple is located in
Maharashtra and the structure seems to belong to the Pallava kingdom. The arcades have huge sculpted panels and alcoves containing enormous sculptures of several deities. Lower stories of the
Nandi Mandap are solid structures, decorated with elaborate illustrative carvings. The grand sculpture of
Ravana who is shown trying to lift Mount Kailasa is remarkable.
(Last Updated on : 03/04/2012)