Question

Which of the following is a North Indian temple architecture type?
A. Dravida
B. Nagara
C. Hoysala
D. Vesara

Answer 1

Hint:Recently,the design of the planned shrine of Ram temple to be built in Ayodhya was decided on this style.The basic features of Hindu temples are Garbhagriha,mandapa,a mountain like spire and mithun sculptures.

Complete answer:
Option A: Dravida is the temple architecture type of southern India with the lands between Krishna and Kaveri rivers.These style of temples were built under the patronage of Cholas and Pallavas.The Dravidian temples are surrounded by high boundary walls.The distinguishing factor of temples in north India and south India is the spire(stepped pyramid in southern style and curvilinear in northern style).There is only one Vimana in the Dravidian architecture.Therefore,Option A is not the correct answer.

Option B:Nagara style of temple architecture is developed in the northern part of India.The temples follow the Panchayatana style of temple making.There is a presence of assembly halls in front of the principle shrine.There were no water tanks present.The temples were generally built on a roses platform.Unlike, the South Indian temples the North Indian temples do not have boundary walls.Therefore,option B is the correct answer.

Option C: This temple style was built in the region of Karnataka near Mysore.It developed in the period from 1050-1300 AD with the prominent seats being Belur,Halebid and Srirgneri. Multiple shrines were built around a central pillared hall.They followed a star like plan.Therefore,Option C is not the correct answer.

Option D:Vesara style combines the features of both Dravidian and Nagara school of art mainly conceptualised under the later Chalukyan rulers and resulted in a hybridised style.They emphasised on Vimana and mandapa.Therefore,Option D is not the correct option.

Hence the correct answer is option B.

Note:Temple architecture’s progression can be distinguished into five stages.The development of a square sanctum and a pillared portico emerged during the Gupta period.