Which of the following temples is an example of rock-cut architecture?
U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012
A. Shore Temple, Mamallapuram
B. Rajarajeshwara temple, Thanjavur
C. Kailasa Temple, Ellora
D. Jagannatha Temple, Puri
Answer: Kailasa Temple, Ellora
Option c is the correct answer.
The Kailasa Temple is one of the most remarkable examples of rock-cut architecture in India and the world. It is a monolithic structure, carved out of a single rock hill, measuring 164 feet in height, 109 feet in width, and 272 feet in depth. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and represents his abode, Mount Kailash. The temple was built in the 8th century CE by the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I, and it took about 150 years and 200,000 tons of rock to complete. The temple features a pyramidal tower, a pillared hall, a courtyard, a gateway, and several sculptures and reliefs depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.
Important Tips
Shore Temple, Mamallapuram is an example of structural architecture, not rock-cut architecture. It is a stone-built temple complex located on the shore of the Bay of Bengal in Tamil Nadu. It was built in the 8th century CE by the Pallava dynasty and is one of the oldest surviving temples in India.
Rajarajeshwara temple, Thanjavur is also an example of structural architecture, not rock-cut architecture. It is a massive granite temple dedicated to Shiva, built by the Chola king Rajaraja I in the 11th century CE. It is one of the largest and most magnificent temples in India, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
Jagannatha Temple, Puri is another example of structural architecture, not rock-cut architecture. It is a colossal temple complex dedicated to Jagannatha (a form of Vishnu), located in the coastal town of Puri in Odisha. It was built by the Ganga dynasty in the 12th century CE and is one of the four sacred pilgrimage sites for Hindus.