It
was at this time that the Second Temple was constructed and to this period must also be
ascribed the defaced Brahmi inscription found in the temple excavations. The garbhagriha of the Second Temple was constructed on the spot
where the First Temple stood. It had possibly an open sabhamandapa. Terraced steps of
Kanjur stone led from it to the sea on both sides and on the south was constructed a
retaining sea-wall. These were all found imbedded in the earth.
Yuan Chwang, the great Chinese pilgrim, visited Saurashtra
between A.D. 641-644. The pilgrim found the land and the customs of the people to be the
same as on the mainland. |