Famous Temples — Set 2
Famous Places · प्रसिद्ध मंदिर · Questions 11–20 of 70
Which temple is located at the confluence of the rivers Alaknanda and Mandakini?
Correct Answer: A. Badrinath
• **Badrinath** = This temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is a prominent pilgrimage center in the region where the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers are significant. • **Char Dham** — Badrinath is an integral part of this major pilgrimage circuit in the Garhwal Himalayas. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Kedarnath: Located on the Mandakini river but not at the specified confluence; Rudranath: One of the Panch Kedar temples, known for its natural rock temple; Madhyamaheshwar: Another Panch Kedar temple, located in the highest reaches of the Himalayas.
The Lingaraja Temple, a masterpiece of Kalinga architecture, is located in which city?
Correct Answer: A. Bhubaneswar
• **Bhubaneswar** = The Lingaraja Temple, a masterpiece of Kalinga architecture and the largest temple in the city, is located here. • **11th century** — The period when the Lingaraja Temple was built by the rulers of the Somavamsi dynasty. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Puri: Famous for the Jagannath Temple; Cuttack: An ancient city, but Lingaraja Temple is not located there; Sambalpur: Known for the Hirakud Dam and Samaleswari Temple.
Which temple in Kerala is known for the discovery of immense wealth in its hidden underground vaults?
Correct Answer: D. Padmanabhaswamy Temple
• **Padmanabhaswamy Temple** = This temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, is known for the discovery of immense wealth in its hidden underground vaults. • **Royal family of Travancore** — The family that manages the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Sabarimala Temple: A mountain shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappan, known for its pilgrimage; Guruvayur Temple: Dedicated to Lord Krishna, a major pilgrimage center; Attukal Temple: Famous for its Pongala festival, dedicated to Attukal Bhagavathy.
The famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple is situated on the banks of which river?
Correct Answer: A. Ganges
• **Ganges** = The famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, is situated on the western bank of this sacred river in Varanasi. • **1780** — The year the current structure of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple was built by Ahilyabai Holkar. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Yamuna: A major river in India, but Kashi Vishwanath is not on its banks; Saraswati: A mythical river, also associated with Triveni Sangam; Narmada: A west-flowing river in Central India, not associated with Kashi.
Which cave temple complex contains the famous 'Trimurti' sculpture of Lord Shiva?
Correct Answer: D. Elephanta Caves
• **Elephanta Caves** = This cave temple complex, located on Gharapuri Island near Mumbai, contains the famous 'Trimurti' sculpture of Lord Shiva. • **5th and 8th centuries** — The period during which the rock-cut temples of Elephanta Caves, known for the Trimurti, were constructed. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Ajanta Caves: Famous for Buddhist rock-cut cave monuments, not Shiva's Trimurti; Ellora Caves: Features Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain caves, but the prominent Trimurti is at Elephanta; Badami Caves: Known for Hindu and Jain cave temples of Chalukya architecture.
The Vitthala Temple, famous for its musical pillars and stone chariot, is located in which state?
Correct Answer: A. Karnataka
• **Karnataka** = The Vitthala Temple is part of the Hampi group of monuments. • **56 musical pillars** — produce different musical notes when tapped. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Tamil Nadu: Home to many prominent temples, but not Vitthala Temple; Andhra Pradesh: Features temples like Lepakshi, but not Vitthala; Telangana: Vitthala Temple is not located in this state.
In which state is the Dakshineswar Kali Temple, where Ramakrishna Paramahansa served as a priest, located?
Correct Answer: A. West Bengal
• **West Bengal** = The Dakshineswar Kali Temple is situated on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River in Kolkata. • **1855** — the year the temple was founded by Rani Rashmoni. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Bihar: Known for Mahabodhi Temple, but not Dakshineswar Kali Temple; Odisha: Famous for Konark Sun Temple and Jagannath Temple, not this one; Jharkhand: Does not house the Dakshineswar Kali Temple.
The Angkor Wat temple complex, the largest religious monument in the world, was originally dedicated to which deity?
Correct Answer: D. Lord Vishnu
• **Lord Vishnu** = Angkor Wat was originally a Hindu temple dedicated to this deity before transforming into a Buddhist site. • **12th century** — the period when Angkor Wat was built by King Suryavarman II. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Lord Shiva: Although a major Hindu deity, Angkor Wat's original dedication was not to Shiva; Lord Buddha: The temple later transformed into a Buddhist site, but was not originally dedicated to Buddha; Lord Brahma: Not the primary deity to whom Angkor Wat was originally dedicated.
Which temple is known for its unique 'pendent' or hanging pillar that does not touch the ground?
Correct Answer: A. Lepakshi Temple
• **Lepakshi Temple** = This temple is located in the Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh and is famous for its unique hanging pillar. • **largest monolithic Nandi sculpture** — an additional notable feature found within the temple complex. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Halebidu Temple: Known for Hoysala architecture and sculptures, but not a hanging pillar; Belur Temple: Famous for intricate carvings and Hoysala art, but lacks this specific feature; Ranganathaswamy Temple: A large temple in Srirangam, known for its vast complex, but not a hanging pillar.
The Ranakpur Jain Temple, famous for its 1,444 uniquely carved pillars, is located in which state?
Correct Answer: A. Rajasthan
• **Rajasthan** = The Ranakpur Jain Temple, famous for its 1,444 uniquely carved pillars, is situated in the Pali district of this state. • **1,444 uniquely carved pillars** — the defining architectural feature where no two pillars are identical in their carvings. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Gujarat: Home to many Jain temples, but Ranakpur is in Rajasthan; Madhya Pradesh: Known for temples like Khajuraho, but not Ranakpur; Maharashtra: Houses significant religious sites, but Ranakpur Jain Temple is not located here.