Shitala Mata Temple, Butapaldi

Hindu temple dedicated to Shitala in Gujarat, India

23°40′10″N 72°21′24″E / 23.6694°N 72.3567°E / 23.6694; 72.3567ArchitectureTypeMaru-Gurjara architectureCompletedc. 12th centuryTemple(s)1

Shitala Mata Temple is a c. 12th century Hindu temple dedicated to goddess Shitala located in Butapaldi village of Mehsana district, Gujarat, India.

Architecture

The east-facing Shitala Mata temple was built in about 12th century.^[1] It has three parts: mandapa, antarala and garbhagriha (sanctum). The platform has friezes of kirtimukha, elephants, humans and deities. The doorframe of the sanctum has images of Vishnu in five niches in top section and while images of Laxmi in niches in the side sections. On the exterior walls of the sanctum, there is an image of Parvati in south niche and the images of Mahishasurmandini (Chamunda) in north and west niches.^[2] The vedika (altar), kakshasana (seatings), small pillars and the ceiling of the mandapa are decorated with fine carvings.^[1] A bust of an image is enshrined in place of the original image in the sanctum which is worshiped locally as Brahmani or Shitala Mata.^[1]^[2]

It is a state protected monument (S-GJ-286).^[3]

Gallery

Shikhara
Friezes on the platform
Karotaka (ceiling) of mandapa
Mouldings of kakshasana (seatings)
Mahishasurmardini in west niche
Doorframe of sanctum
Images in sactum

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Gujarat State Gazetteers: Mehsana District. Directorate of Government Print., Stationery and Publications. 1975. p. 84.
^ ^a ^b "Information Board at the Shitala Mata Temple, Butapaldi". Department of Archaeology, Government of Gujarat.
^ "પુરાતત્વ ખાતાના રાજ્ય રક્ષિત સ્મારકોની યાદી" [List of State Protected Monuments of Archaeology Department] (PDF). Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities Department, Government of Gujarat. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.