Question

The Jagannath temple was built by the ____________ dynasty.
A) Ganga
B) Chalukya
C) Chola
D) Chera

Answer 1

Hint:
The temples of Odisha have some main architectural features which are classified into three orders, i.e., rekhapida, pida deul, and khakra. The temples of Odisha within the nagara order constitute a distinct substyle.

Complete Answer:
Regional cultures grew around religious traditions in many regions. The cult of Jagannatha (literal meaning- lord of the world, a name for Vishnu) which is located at Puri, Odisha is the best example of this process. The local tribal people still make the wooden image of the deity which suggests that the deity was originally a local god but was later identified with Vishnu. Anantavarman, one of the most important rulers of the Ganga dynasty, decided to construct a temple for Purushottama Jagannatha at Puri in the twelfth century. Accordingly, lord Anangabhima III devoted his realm to the divinity and declared himself as the "appointee" of the god in 1230.
The authority of the temple in social and political matters also increased as the temple gained in importance as a centre of pilgrimage. All those who conquered over Odisha, such as the English East India Company, the Mughals, and the Marathas, felt that if they gained control over the temple it would make their rule acceptable to the local people.

Thus, option (A) is correct.

Note:
Most of the main temple sites in Odisha are located in ancient Kalinga- modern Puri District, including Bhubaneswar or ancient Tribhuvan Vara, Konark, and Puri. The deul is almost vertical until the top when it suddenly curves sharply inwards. In Odisha, Duels are foregone by mandapas called jagamohana.