Temple Architecture: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Art and Culture)

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Chausath Yogini temple is in Morena district in Madhya Pradesh. According to an inscription dated 1323 AD, this temple was built by Kachachapaghata king Devapala (1055-1075).

Statement 2 is incorrect: The temple with a circular design pattern is situated on top of a small hill. It is not the only circular temple in India. Other examples are Kameshwar Temple, Kashmir and Vishnu Temple at Topra (Haryana) etc.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Originally 64 yoginis were placed in 64 subsidiary shrines around the central shrine of Maha Shakti. Today Shiva linga have taken their place in shrines. The central shrine also holds a Shivalinga.

Statement 4 is correct: This temple’s circular design has given rise to the popular idea that our old Indian parliament’s design designed by architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker was taken from here. Fig.: Chausath Yogini Temple

Explanation

Vijayanagara art and architecture, flourishing from the 14th to 16th centuries, blends Dravidian styles with Islamic and Persian influences. Notable for grand temples like Virupaksha and the Hampi ruins, it features large gopurams, intricate carvings, and expansive courtyards, reflecting both devotion and royal splendor.

Option (d) is correct: Kalyan Mandapa (or Kalyana Mandapam) is an architectural feature commonly seen in South Indian temples, especially during the Vijayanagara period (14th-17th century). These mandapas were used for ceremonial purposes, such as the symbolic marriage of deities. The Virupaksha Temple and Hazara Rama Temple in Hampi are prime examples of Vijayanagara architecture which feature Kalyana Mandapams with intricately carved pillars and large open spaces. The Kalyan Mandapa serves as a ceremonial hall within the temple complex, specifically built for conducting marriage rituals of deities, symbolizing the divine wedding of the presiding deity. The mandapas are often elaborately decorated with sculptures, intricate carvings, and motifs depicting deities, mythological scenes, and floral patterns.

Explanation

Sun temples in India, dedicated to the Sun God Surya, are renowned for their architectural grandeur and symbolic representation of cosmic order. Famous Sun temples in India are Konark Sun Temple (Odisha), Dakshinaarka Temple at Gaya (Bihar), Bhramanya Dev Temple at Unao (Madhya Pradesh), Sun Temple at Modhera (Gujarat).

Option 1 is correct: Arasavalli located in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh is famous for the Suryanarayana Temple is dedicated to the Sun God (Surya). This temple is one of the few ancient Sun temples in India and is believed to have been built in the 7th century CE by the Kalinga king Devendra Varma. The temple is designed in such a way that the sun’s rays fall directly on the feet of the Sun God’s idol twice a year, during the months of March and September.

Option 2 is incorrect: Amarkantak is a pilgrimage town in Madhya Pradesh which marks the origin of the Narmada River. Here Lord Shiva is worshiped as Narmadeswar Amarkantak.

Option 3 is incorrect: Omkareshwar located in Madhya Pradesh is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is famous for the Omkareshwar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is situated on an island in the Narmada River and is a major pilgrimage site for Shaivites. Arasavalli Temple

Explanation

The rock-cut elephant situated in Dhauli was constructed during the reign of Ashoka, who ruled from 272 to 231 BC (3rd Century AD). Varaha Image at Udayagiri Hill was built in the 5th century AD by Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) to commemorate the victory over the foreign Shaka. The rock-cut monuments in Mahabalipuram were constructed during the 7th and 8th centuries AD mainly by the Pallava king Narasimha. On the other hand, the Lingaraj Temple was built in the 11th century AD, under the reign of the Eastern Ganga dynasty. The temple is a major Shaivite temple, a prime example of Kalinga architecture and is one of the largest temples in Odisha

Explanation

Indian temple architecture is diverse, with distinct regional styles such as the Nagara (northern), Dravida (southern), and Vesara (a blend of both). The Panchayatan style is a sub-school of Nagara architecture, specifically prevalent in North India.

Option (c) is correct:

Panchayatan is a temple architecture style where the main shrine (garbhagriha) is surrounded by four subsidiary shrines, forming a quincunx (four smaller shrines at the corners and one main shrine in the center). The term comes from the Sanskrit words Pancha (five) and ayatana (containing). The Dashavatara Vishnu Temple in Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh, built in the early 6th century AD, follows this style, with the main shrine on a rectangular plinth and four subsidiary shrines at the corners, totaling five shrines. Other temples that follow the Panchayatan style are Kandariya Mahadeva Temple (Khajuraho, MP), built during the Chandela period and the Lakshmana Temple (Khajuraho, MP).

Explanation

Temple architecture in India follows three main styles:

Nagara (Northern), Dravida (Southern), and Vesara (Mixed). Nagara Style (North Indian Temple Architecture) is found in Northern, Central, and Western India. Its key features are:

Shikhara (Tower) which is curvilinear in shape, rising progressively higher. Multiple Shikharas each smaller than the main one. Garbhagriha (Sanctum Sanctorum) which houses the deity. Mandapa (Pillared Hall) usually present in front of the sanctum. Amalaka (Ribbed Disc), a large stone disc placed on top of the shikhara. Notable examples are: Kandariya Mahadeva Temple (Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh), Sun Temple (Konark, Odisha), Lingaraj Temple (Bhubaneswar, Odisha), etc. Dravida Style (South Indian Temple Architecture) is seen across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana. Its key features:

Vimana (Tower) are pyramid-like structure over the sanctum. Gopurams (Gateway Towers) are large, ornate entrance towers. Sculptures & Mandapas are extensive carvings and pillared halls. Temple Tanks are found in major temples for ritualistic purposes. Notable examples are: Brihadeshwara Temple (Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu), Meenakshi Temple (Madurai, Tamil Nadu), Virupaksha Temple (Hampi, Karnataka), etc. Vesara Style (Hybrid or Mixed Style) is found in Deccan region (Maharashtra, Karnataka). It is a fusion of Nagara and Dravida styles like Shikhara of Nagara influence and temple layout of Dravida. Notable examples include: Hoysaleswara Temple (Halebidu, Karnataka), Virupaksha Temple (Pattadakal, Karnataka) and Chennakesava Temple (Belur, Karnataka), etc.