- Bracket capitals- Sira
- Surmounted by arch- Kutachhadya
- Arch- 3 to 5 curves- like traingular pediment.
- Arch projects from Makara (mouth)/ elephant mouth.
- Kutachhadaya flanked by facetted rectangular block with an Amalaka( Tilaka).
● Literary sources: Epics, Puranas, Sastras, Arthasastras etc.
Shilpashastra of Torana-
- Aparajitprccha- This has seperate chapter on Kirti toran/ Kirti Stambhas. It also details about the dimensions and parts of Toranas, Tilakas & Makaras, arches/ lllikas etc.
- Uttunga- It means pair of pillars. All examples of Gujarat torana are Uttunga type.
● Religious Relevance: Association with temples- identifying temple deity. Eg- Solanki’s of Gujarat were Shaivities, so Shiva depiction could be seen on Toranas.
● Social Importance: It was matter of pride for entire community, as they were identified with their monument. It was a part of festivals-used as Hindolas for Gods & Goddeses- decorated with flowers & leaves.
● Economic Relevance: Rulers patronized these monuments. Inscriptions from Solanki period mentions that whole community had it's material share in Toranas.
1. Vadnagar -
- Situated at north of old town of Mehsana district, which was earlier known as Anandapura, Anartpura, Camatkarapura.
- 2 monumental Kirtisambhas dating back from Solanki period.
- It was constructed as either to commemorate victory over Malwa or attached to temple complex.
- It belongs to Maru Gujarat architecture.
- Ther are approx 40ft. Height, identical in both design & size.
- There are 2 massive elaborate pillars( misraka)- supporting a wide cornice/ patta.
- Material used- red & yellow sandstones.
- Plinth- spreading base- has lozenge design.
- Padma, Grasapatti, Gajathara, Narathara & sculpted broad friezes could be seen.
- There's a cusped arch ‘illika’ from makara mouth- creating an archway.
- Upper storey has traingular arch with seated image of Shiva in the centre.
2. Shamlaji -
- It's locates in front of Harishchandrani Chauri( 9th cent. CE)
- It is the oldest dating Torana of Gujarat.
- Components: ornamental base( pitha) pillars( stambhas), lintel(patta).
- The superstructure is missing.
- Pillars- have mouldings, figures( yakshas, kinnaras, seated human figurines), foilage.
- Ornamental pitta contains niches with deities. Niches have miniature shikharas.
- Shaft of stambhas have purnaghata motif.
- Patta- has heavenly musicians decorated with semi- circular arches emerging from Makarmukhas.
3. Modhera -
- Situated in Sun Temple of Modhera, Patan.
- It lies between Sabha/ Ranga Mandapa and Surya Kunda. At the side of Kunda there's another torana.
- These are similar to Toranas of Vadnagar.
- Pillars are richly carved with numerous mouldings in Maru- Gurjara style.
- Base- Padma, Grasapatti, Gajathara, Narathara.
- Narathara frieze- mostly dancers/ men & beasts, standing human figures, row of male warriors.
- Other mouldings has lozenge designs, kirtimukhas, hanging leaves etc.
4. Siddhpur -
- Located in Rudra-mahalaya temple of Mehsana district.
- It dates back from 10th cent. CE, when Mularaja embellished Siddhpur and Sristhala erected Rudra Mahalaya temple.
- Toranas are of same style of Maru- Gurjara like Vadnagar, Modhera.
- Each pillar has 2 capitals, with Uttunga style pillars, Makar-mukhas, architrave, traingular arched pediment.
- Faceted base- possibly there were kirtimukhas & small seated figures on each face of base.
- Niches- contain standing figures on 4 sides.
5. Kapadvanj -
- It's currently located in Kheda district, on eastern side of square kund( tank) in market place.
- This dates back from 12th cent./ 13th cent. CE.
- Similar to style to Vadnagar, Siddhpur.
- Components: Lllika and cusped arches.
- Pediment has 4 arches, in central there's a Shiva- Nataraja idol.