Temple Architecture MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Temple Architecture - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is Both 1 and 2.

Key Points

Temple of Bhitargaon, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh -

• The Bhitargaon Temple is a terraced brick building fronted with a terracotta panel.
• Built in the 5th century during the Gupta period, it is the oldest remaining brick/terracotta Hindu shrine with a roof and a high shikhara, though its upper chamber did sustain some damage in the 18th century.
• The temple at Bhitargaon in Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh) is one of the earliest surviving brick temples of India. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• It was built in the 5th century A.D during the Gupta Empire. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• It is the oldest remaining terracotta Hindu shrine with a roof and a high Shikhara (spire) which paved the way for the elaborate Nagara style of temple architecture in North India.
• Over generations, worshipping was systematised and paved the way for the evolution of temple structures.
• Rock-cut architecture began to develop in the 3rd century BCE.
• Though the earliest rock-cut architecture is from the Mauryan dynasty, the Ajanta caves which belong to post Mauryan period are among the earliest rock-cut temples.

The correct answer is Gorakhnath temple.

• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched 'recycled incense sticks' at an ashram of Gorakhnath Temple, in Gorakhpur.
• This initiative is taken to promote environment-friendly products in the market.
• The Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, a research institute of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has provided technical support in making these incense sticks.

Additional Information

Some other important temples and their districts:

The correct answer is Hampi.

• Vijaya Vittala or Vittala Temple is situated in Hampi, Karnataka.
  • It was built around 15th century AD during the reign of King Devaraya II (1422 - 1446 AD).

Key Points

• Vijaya Vittala or Vittala Temple:
  • Several portions of the temple were expanded and enhanced during the reign of Krishnadevaraya (1509 - 1529 AD).
  • This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Vittala.
  • The temple is well-known for its exceptional architecture and unmatched craftsmanship.
  • This predominant monument of Hampi is a major attraction of Hampi and is a must-see for worshippers.

The correct answer is Chandela. Key Points

• The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple was constructed by King Dhangadeva of the Chandela dynasty in 999 A.D.
• The Chandela dynasty ruled in central India from the 9th to the 13th century and was known for their patronage of art and architecture, particularly the erotic sculptures on their temples.
• It's part of the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage site, located in Madhya Pradesh, Central India.
• The Chandela dynasty was known for its art and architecture, and among their 85 original temples, around 22 survive today and reflect the height of the North Indian art form known as 'Nagara'.
• The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and houses a linga in the main shrine.

Additional Information

• The Pala dynasty was a ruling dynasty in eastern India from the 8th to the 12th century, known for their patronage of Buddhism and the Nalanda University.
• The Pallava dynasty was a ruling dynasty in southern India from the 3rd to the 9th century, known for their patronage of art, literature, and architecture, particularly the Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram.
• The Chola dynasty was a ruling dynasty in southern India from the 9th to the 13th century, known for their naval power, trade, and patronage of art and architecture, particularly the Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur.

The correct answer is Baked brick.

Key Points

•  Bhitargaon
  • ​The greatest Indian brick temple to have survived from the Gupta Empire is located in Bhitargaon, a town close to Kanpur in the Kanpur region of Uttar Pradesh, India.
  • Many of the original elements are still present despite the extensive restoration. It dates to the fifth century, late.
  • A terracotta panel fronts the terraced brick structure that houses the Bhitargaon Temple.
  • It is the earliest surviving brick/terracotta Hindu shrine with a roof and a towering shikhara, but its upper chamber did experience significant damage in the 18th century.
  • It was constructed in the 5th century during the Gupta dynasty.

Additional Information

• The temple faces east and has a square construction with double-recessed corners.
• Overlooking the garbhagriha is an enormous pyramidal spire. Terracotta wall decorations with images of Shiva, Vishnu, and other deities adorn the walls.
• When Alexander Cunningham first arrived, the porch and the ardhamandapa, which eventually fell, were still in tact.

The correct answer is Sun Temple, Konark.

Key Points

• Konark Sun Temple (Konark Surya Mandir) is a 13th-century CE  Sun Temple at Konark about 35 kilometers northeast from Puri on the coastline of Odisha, India.
• The temple is attributed to king Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty about 1250 CE.
• Dedicated to the Hindu Sun God Surya, what remains of the temple complex has the appearance of a 100-foot (30 m) high chariot with immense wheels and horses, all carved from stone. 
• It is a classic illustration of the Odisha style of Architecture or Kalinga Architecture.
• This temple was called the "Black Pagoda" in European sailor accounts as early as 1676 because it looked like a great tower that appeared black.
• Declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1984, it remains a major pilgrimage site for Hindus, who gather here every year for the Chandrabhaga Mela around the month of February.
• Konark Sun Temple is depicted on the reverse side of the Indian currency note of Rs 10 to signify its importance to Indian cultural heritage.

Additional Information

• Brihadishvara temple, also called Rajarajeswaram or Peruvudaiyār Kōvil, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located on the South bank of Kaveri river in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India.
• The Shri Jagannath Temple is an important Hindu temple dedicated to Jagannath, a form of Vishnu, in Puri in the state of Odisha on the eastern coast of India. The present temple was rebuilt from the 10th century onwards, on the site of an earlier temple, and begun by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva, first of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.
• Meenakshi Temple is a historic Hindu temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in the temple city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to Thirukamakottam Meenakshi, a form of Parvati, and her consort, Sundareshwar, a form of Shiva.
• Image of Sun Temple Konark:

The correct answer is Narsimhadeva 1.

Key Points

• Sun Temple of Konark was built by King Narasimhadeva l of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty about 1250 CE. This temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Surya and is located 35 km northeast of Puri.
• The temple complex consists of a 100-foot high chariot with immense wheels and horses which is mainly in ruins.
• This temple complex was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984  for its architectural greatness and also for the sophistication and abundance of sculptural work.
• This temple also is known as the "Black Pagoda".
• Built-in the 13th century, the Konark temple was conceived as a gigantic chariot of the Sun God, with 12 pairs of exquisitely ornamented wheels pulled by seven horses.
• The temple is a perfect blend of Kalinga architecture, heritage, exotic beach, and salient natural beauty.
• It is protected under the National Framework of India by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act (1958) and its Rules (1959).

​

The correct answer is Gujarat.Key Points

•  Modhera Sun Temple is situated at Gujarat.
• As per Archeological Survey of India Modhera Sun Temple was built in 1026-27 CE during the reign of Bhima I of the Chaulukya dynasty.
• As you enter the historical complex, you first come across the magnificent kund known as the Ramakund, built in rectangular shape containing 108 shrines to various gods and demi-gods.
•  Three main shrines positioned on the three sides of the kund, dedicated to Ganesh and Vishnu and an image of Lord Shiva dancing the ‘tandav’.
• Walk up the steps to the ‘Sabha Mandap’ or the assembly and convene with sculpted renderings of twelve ‘Adityas’ (another name for the sun god).
• The twelve representations carved on the pillars represent the sun according to the twelve months.
• In October, 2022 Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi Inaugurated Solar powered 3-D Projection Mapping Show and Heritage Lighting at the Temple. 

Additional Information

The correct answer is Tanjavur Brihadeshwara Temple.Key Points

 Brihadishvara temple

• Brihadishvara temple also called Rajarajeswaram is a Hindu temple.
• Temple dedicated to Shiva located on the South Bank of the Kaveri river in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India.
• It is one of the largest South Indian temples and an exemplary example of fully realized Tamil architecture.
• It is called Dhakshina Meru (Meru of the south).
• Built by Tamil king Raja Raja Chola I between 1003 and 1010 AD.
• The temple is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Great Living Chola Temples", along with the Chola dynasty era Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple and Airavatesvara temple.

Additional Information Shore Temple of Mahabalipuram:

• The Shore Temple (built-in 700–728 AD) is so named because it overlooks the shore of the Bay of Bengal.
• It is located near Chennai in Tamil Nadu.
• It is a structural temple, built with blocks of granite, dating from the 8th century AD. At the time of its creation, the site was a busy port during the reign of Narasimhavarman II of the Pallava dynasty.

​Hampi Virupaksha Temple

• It is the largest monument of Chalukyas of Badami.
• This was later improvised in the Vijayanagar empire.
• This temple is special because it has a Panchayat hall kind of design with 12 pillars.
• This was the earliest experiment for a pillar-based structure in temple architecture.
• It is located in Hampi and, is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• The distance from Bangalore to Hampi is about 350 km.
• Hampi is a temple town in South India and is acknowledged as one of the World Heritage Sites of UNESCO.
• This temple was constructed in Lakkana Dandesha’s assistance who was a commander under King Deva Raya II.

​Konark Sun Temple

• Konark Sun Temple was built in 1250 AD.
• This temple is also called "Black Pagoda".
• Temple was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984.
• Famous Chandrabhaga Mela took place here every year in the month of February.
• This temple is attributed to King Narsimhadeva - I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.
• Temple is a classic illustration of Great Kalinga Architecture.

The correct answer is Devaraya II.

Key Points

• The Vittala Temple in Hampi is the grandest of all monuments in Hampi and represents the epitome of the Vijaynagara style of architecture.
• Built-in the 15th century by King Devaraya II, it is dedicated to Lord Vittala or Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
• The temple is famous for its iconic stone chariot and the unique musical pillars.

Important Points

• Hampi also referred to as the Group of Monuments at Hampi, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in east-central Karnataka, India.
• It is a pilgrimage center of the Hindu religion.

Confusion Points

• It was built during the reign of King Devaraya II, but several portions of the temple were expanded during the reign of Krishnadevaraya (1509 – 1529 A.D.).

The correct answer is lotus.

Key Points

• The rooftop of Guru Hemkund Sahib is in the shape of an upturned lotus.

• Hemkund Sahib, formally known as Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib Ji.
• It is a Sikh place of worship and pilgrimage site in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India.
• It is devoted to Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru.

Additional Information

• Important points to remember about the 10 Sikh Gurus are:

The correct answer is Black Pagoda.

Key Points

• Konark:
  • The famous Konark Sun temple is situated in the town of Konark in Odisha.
  • This is one of the very few and famous Sun temples in India.
  • It is also known as the ‘Black Pagoda’ because it is built out of black granite.
  • It was made on the orders of King Narasimhadeva.
  • It reached the pinnacle of fame when UNESCO made it a world heritage site in 1984.
  • One of the highlights at the Konark Sun temple is the annual Konark Dance festival that is held every year in December and is devoted to Odissi, the classical dance of Odisha.
  • The temple is the centre of all celebrations and the gigantic chariot of Surya (Sun God) forms the backdrop to all the festivities.
  • This chariot has 12 pairs of ornamental wheels, which were supposed to be pulled by seven horses.​

The correct answer is Arunachal Pradesh.

Important Points

• Tawang Monastery is the largest monastery in India and is located in Arunachal Pradesh.
• It is the second-largest monastery in the world after Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.
• It is known as 'Gaden Namgyal Lhatse' in Tibetan.
• It was founded by Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso in 1680-81.
• It contains the scriptures of Gyetengpa, Doduipa, Mamtha, Kangyur, Tengyur and Zungdui.

Hint

• Tawang is the name of a district in Arunachal Pradesh. Hence it can be guessed easily. 

Key Points

• Manipur is rather famous for its temple treasures.
  • Mahabali Temple
  • Shri Govind Temple
  • Sanamahi Temple
  • Nrityananda and Narasimha Temple

The correct answer is Sitapur.

Key Points

• The Naimisaranyam temple is located on the bank of River Gomati in Uttar Pradesh.
• It is an ancient centre of Sanskrit learning in Sitapur district.
• The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

• This place has also been visited by Sankaracharya and Surdas.

The Correct Answer is Garbhagriha.

Key Points

• In the context of temple architecture, the most important part of the temple is Garbhagriha.
• Garbhagriha is the sanctum sanctorum, the Hindu and Jain temples innermost sanctuary where the murti (idol or icon) of the temple's primary deity resides.
• The garbhagriha took the shape of a miniature vimana in the Dravida style with other features exclusive to the architecture of the southern Indian temple, such as the inner wall along with the outer wall, forming a pradakshina around the garbhagriha.
• In the Dravidian architecture of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, and Telangana states of Southern India, a gopuram is a monumental entrance tower, typically ornate, at the entrance of a Hindu temple.
• Pradakshina refers to the circumambulation of holy places in the sense of Sikh, Hindu, Jain, or Buddhism, and the direction along which this is carried out to imbue their energy.