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U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2002

Hindu Teerthas and Sects

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Name the holy place in which the main God is different from other three?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept Major Hindu pilgrimage sites (Teerthas) are often categorized by their presiding deity, primarily Shiva (Shaivism) or Vishnu (Vaishnavism).

Explanation Jagannath (Puri) is a form of Vishnu/Krishna. In contrast, Amarnath, Kedarnath, and Vishwanath are some of the most sacred sites dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Amarnath (J&K), Kedarnath (Uttarakhand), and Vishwanath (Varanasi) are all prominent Shiva shrines.
Logic 2: Jagannath (Odisha) represents the 'Lord of the Universe' as a form of Krishna, accompanied by Balabhadra and Subhadra. It has unique wooden idols, distinct from the stone Lingas of Shiva temples.

Active Recall

Question

What makes the Jagannath idols unique in Indian temple art?

Answer

The idols are made of wood (Darubrahma) and are periodically replaced (Nabakalebara), unlike the permanent stone or metal idols found in most other temples.

Core Insight

The distinction between Jagannath and the other three highlights the major sectarian divide (Shaiva vs Vaishnava) in Indian devotional history.

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