Question

Which temples were built by the Nayaks of Madurai?
(This question has multiple answers.)
A) Kasi Viswanatha temple
B) Meenakshi temple
C) Krishnapuram temple
D) Rameswaram temple

Answer 1

Hint: From 1529 until 1736, the Madurai Nayak emperors were prolific temple builders in South Tamilnadu. The Nayak monarchs transformed their realm into a temple land, undertaking a variety of substantial works, renovations, and construction projects at multiple temples in order to express and bring the Nayak kingdom to its current splendour.

Complete answer:
Let us look at the given options:
A)The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the most well-known Hindu temples. The temple was established in the Dravidian style in the 16th century by the Pandyan monarch Harikesari Parakkirama Pandian, with later expansions by the Madurai Nayaks. Thus, option A is the correct answer.
B)Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Temple is a historic Hindu temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India, located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River. It is dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi, a Parvati form, and her husband Sundareshwar, a Shiva form. King Kulasekara Pandya constructed the temple (1190-1216 CE). Thus, option B is an incorrect answer.
C)The Vishnu temple in Krishnapuram, Tamil Nadu, is devoted to the Hindu god Vishnu. It is 10 kilometres from Tirunelveli. The temple, built in the Dravidian style of architecture, is a storehouse of Nayak architecture. Thus, option C is also the correct answer.
D)The Ramanathaswamy Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva on the island of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, India. It is also a Jyotirlinga temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples. Thus, option D is an incorrect answer.

Thus, the correct answer is option A and C. Kasi Viswanatha and Krishnapuram temples were built by the Nayaks of Madurai.

Note: The Nayak dynasty was known for its achievements in the arts, culture, and administrative reforms, including the construction of temples that had been looted by the Delhi Sultans. The Azhagar kovil and Tiruparankundram Murugan Kovil on the outskirts of Madurai, as well as the extension of the Ranganathaswamy temple complex in Srirangam, were other significant undertakings. Many public works projects, like irrigation canals and castles, were also completed by the Nayakas.