U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1999

Unique Hindu Shrines

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

The Chitragupta Swami Temple considered to be the only temple of Chitragupta is situated in:

Solution & Analysis

Answer: A

Concept While major Hindu deities have thousands of temples, certain 'subsidiary' or specialized deities like Chitragupta have only a handful of dedicated shrines in India.

Explanation The Chitragupta Swami Temple is located in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. Dedicated to the accountant of good and bad deeds, the current stone structure dates back to the 9th-century Chola dynasty. It features a three-tiered Rajagopuram and is the most significant shrine for this deity in South India.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Kanchi (Kanchipuram) is correct; it is a city of a thousand temples including this rare one.
Logic 2: Chitragupta is the primary deity here, unlike most other temples where he appears as a minor figure in a Yama shrine.

Active Recall

Question

Who is Chitragupta according to Hindu mythology?

Answer

He is the assistant to Yama, the god of death, tasked with keeping the record of every human's deeds (Karma).

Core Insight

The existence of this temple highlights the diversity of temple patronage in medieval India, catering to specific theological niches.