INSIGHT UPSC QUIZ

The basic form of a Hindu structural temple consists of the following. 1. Garbhagriha: • It literally means ‘womb-house’ and is a cave like sanctum. • In the earliest temples, it was a small cubical structure with a single entrance. • Later it grew into a larger complex. • The Garbhagriha is made to house the main icon (main deity) which is itself the focus of much ritual attention. 2. Mandapa: • It is the entrance to the temple. • It may be a portico or colonnaded (series of columns placed at regular intervals) hall that incorporate space for a large number of worshippers. • Dances and such other entertainments are practiced here. • Some temples have multiple mandapas in different sizes named as Ardhamandapa, Mandapa and Mahamandapa. 3. Shikhara or Vimana: • They are mountain like spire of a free standing temple. • Shikhara is found in North Indian temples and Vimana is found in South Indian temples. • Shikhara has a curving shape while vimana has a pyramidal like structure. 4. Amalaka: • It is a stone disc like structure at the top of the temple and they are common in North Indian temples. 5. Kalasha: • It is the topmost point of the temple and commonly seen in North Indian temples. 6. Antarala (vestibule): • Antarala is a transition area between the Garbhagriha and the temple’s main hall (mandapa). 7. Jagati: • It is a raised platform for sitting and praying and is common in North Indian temples. 8. Vahana: • It is the mount or vehicle of the temple’s main deity along with a standard pillar or Dhvaj which is placed axially before the sanctum.

Thus, Option D is Correct answer.