The Sompura community

The Sompura community is a traditional community of stone masons and sculptors who are known for their skill in building temples in India. They are considered to be the descendants of Lord Vishwakarma, the divine architect, and engineer of Hindu mythology. According to legend, Lord Vishwakarma, who is also known as the patron deity of architects and craftsmen, taught the Sompura community the art of temple building. The Sompura community is also said to have built many of the most famous temples in India, including the temples of Khajuraho, the Sun Temple in Konark, and the Somnath temple in Gujarat.

The Sompura family has been building and repairing temples in the state of Gujarat for over 1000 years.

The Sompura family has been building and repairing temples in the state of Gujarat for over 1000 years, They are among the last traditional stonemason communities of India, and practice their craft through oral traditions and customs, passed down through generations.

Sompura’s skill is not limited to the construction of Hindu temples only,

Their skillset is not limited only to the building of Hindu temples but also Islamic structures and Jain temples, making it one of the most renowned masonry and sculpture communities in the country. Their architectural style has been well-preserved over the centuries and many of the temples they built are considered to be architectural masterpieces.

Nowadays they are also working on modern architectural and engineering projects, such as the Sabarmati Riverfront Development project in Gujarat, and many more, preserving their heritage and culture.

The Sompura community is known for its expertise in various architectural styles and techniques,

The Sompura community is known for its expertise in a variety of architectural styles and techniques, including the traditional Indian style of temple architecture known as the Nagara style. This style is characterized by a tall, curvilinear spire that rises above the temple, and is often decorated with intricate carvings and sculptures. The Sompura’s are also known for their expertise in the Dravidian style of temple architecture, which is characterized by a pyramidal tower with a series of smaller towers on top.

Another important aspect of Sompura’s work is the intricate carvings and sculptures that adorn the temples they build. The Sompura community is known for its skill in creating detailed and lifelike sculptures that are rich in symbolism and meaning. Many of the temples that the Sompura’s have built over the centuries are adorned with carvings of gods and goddesses, mythical creatures, and other figures from Hindu mythology.

Additionally, their knowledge and understanding of the construction materials and techniques, including the correct way of quarrying, carving, and installing the stone, is highly remarkable. They are able to work with different types of stone, including granite, sandstone, and limestone, and are able to create structures that can withstand the test of time.

The Sompura community’s contribution to the preservation and promotion of Indian temple architecture and sculpture cannot be overstated. They have passed down their skills and knowledge through generations, and continue to keep the traditional techniques alive today while adapting to modern needs.

There are many famous temples in India that are believed to have been built by the Sompura community,

There are many famous temples in India that are believed to have been built by the Sompura community, but here is a list of 10 of the most notable ones:

1. Somnath Temple, Gujarat:

This temple is considered to be one of the most sacred shrines in Hinduism and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed to have been built by the Sompura community in the 11th century.

2. Sun Temple, Konark, Odisha:

This temple is dedicated to the sun god Surya and is known for its intricate carvings and sculptures. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and it is also believed to have been built by the Sompura community in the 13th century.

3. Modhera Sun Temple, Gujarat:

This temple is also dedicated to the sun god Surya and is known for its impressive architecture and intricate carvings. It is believed to have been built by the Sompura community in the 11th century.

4. Kailash Temple, Ellora, Maharashtra:

This temple is considered to be one of the most impressive rock-cut temples in India. It is carved out of a single rock and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed to have been built by the Sompura community in the 8th century.

5. Rani ki vav, Patan, Gujarat:

This stepwell is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is known for its intricate carvings and sculptures. It is believed to have been built by the Sompura community in the 11th century.

6. Jambughoda Temple, Gujarat:

This temple is known for its impressive architecture and intricate carvings. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is believed to have been built by the Sompura community in the 10th century.

7. Vimal Vasahi Temple, Mount Abu, Rajasthan:

This temple is dedicated to Lord Rishabhanatha and is known for its impressive architecture and intricate carvings. It is believed to have been built by the Sompura community in the 11th century.

8. Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha:

This temple is one of the four major pilgrimage sites for Hindus and is dedicated to Lord Jagannath. It is believed to have been built by the Sompura community in the 12th century.

9. Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh:

This temple is known for its impressive architecture and intricate carvings. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is believed to have been built by the Sompura community in the 5th century.

10. Chintamani Parshwanath Jain Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh:

This Jain temple is known for its impressive architecture and intricate carvings and is believed to have been built by the Sompura community in the 10th century.

Please note that this list is based on historical records and some temples were built in different time periods and by different dynasties. It is not confirmed that all of these temples were built by the Sompura community.