UPSC Prelims 2001 Q5: Art & Culture – Architecture & World Heritage
In which one of the following cities is the Lingaraja Temple located?
- (a) Bhubaneswar
- (b) Bijapur
- (c) Kolkata
- (d) Shravanabelagola
Answer: (a) Bhubaneswar
Explanation
City where the Lingaraja Temple is located
| Temple or monument | City |
|---|---|
| Lingaraja Temple | Bhubaneswar, Odisha — Kalinga-style Shiva temple, 11th century |
| Gol Gumbaz | Bijapur, Karnataka |
| Gommateshwara (Bahubali) | Shravanabelagola, Karnataka |
| Kalighat Temple | Kolkata, West Bengal |
The Lingaraja Temple is the largest temple of Bhubaneswar, the 'Temple City' of Odisha. It is a classic example of the Kalinga (Rekha deul) style of Nagara architecture.
Answer: (a) Bhubaneswar.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. The Lingaraja Temple is in Bhubaneswar.
- (b) Incorrect. Bijapur is known for the Gol Gumbaz.
- (c) Incorrect. Kolkata is known for the Kalighat and Dakshineswar temples.
- (d) Incorrect. Shravanabelagola is known for the Jain statue of Gommateshwara.
Key point
Odisha temples: Lingaraja and Mukteshwar (Bhubaneswar), Jagannath (Puri), Sun Temple (Konark).
Remember
Lingaraja Temple = Bhubaneswar.
Common mistakes
- Thinking 'Lingaraja' points to a Lingayat site in Karnataka.
- Mixing up Bijapur's Islamic monuments with temples.
- Forgetting the Bhubaneswar–Puri–Konark temple triangle.
Exam tip
'Linga' + Kalinga (Rekha deul) style points to Odisha.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI — An Introduction to Indian Art, chapter 'Temple Architecture and Sculpture'
- Archaeological Survey of India — Bhubaneswar Circle monuments list