The presence of elaborate gopurams is a defining feature of which temple architectural style?
Dravidian style
A gopuram is the monumental, ornately carved and often towering gateway that stands over the entrance to a temple complex.
Such elaborate gopurams are the hallmark of the Dravidian (South Indian) style of temple architecture, seen in great temples like Meenakshi Temple (Madurai) and Brihadeeswara Temple (Thanjavur), where the gateway towers often rise higher than the central shrine.
By contrast, the Nagara style of North India is defined by a curvilinear shikhara over the sanctum, the Vesara style is a hybrid of Nagara and Dravidian forms, and the Pala style refers to eastern Indian architecture and sculpture rather than gopuram-topped gateways.
Hence, the elaborate gopuram is a defining feature of the Dravidian style.
Similar Questions
- What is the total number of cave structures at the Ajanta Caves location in Maharashtra, India, including the one that was never completed?
- Panch Mahal built by Akbar is located in ______.
- The Kailasa Temple at Ellora is an example of which of the following types of architecture?
- A large marble building in Kolkata, built by the British whose design echoes the Taj Mahal is _______.
- In which Indian fort would you find the Musamman Burj?
- The city of ________ does NOT have a Jantar Mantar.
- Which structure was built as a war memorial to soldiers of the undivided Indian Army during the First World War?
- In July 2016, the Capitol complex of which Union Territory was declared as the UNESCO World Heritage site under the inscription of ‘Architectural work of Le Corbusier?
- Which is the tallest Victory tower in India?
- Construction of the Hawa Mahal at Jaipur was inspired by the:
Important Questions from Architecture
Consider the following statements regarding Sanchi and its archaeological findings:
1. When Sanchi was discovered in 1818, three of its four gateways were still standing, the fourth was lying on the spot where it had fallen
2. Animals depicted at Sanchi include elephants, horses, mon- keys and cattle
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Consider the following statements about the Nagara style of temple architecture:
1. This style of temples are commonly found in the areas between Himalayas and Vindhyas.
2. The most striking feature of this style is its pyramidal shikhara.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists:
List I
(Dynasty)
List II
(Architecture)
A. Chalukyas 1. Sun Temple, Konark B. Hoysalas 2. Pattadakal Temples C. Pandyas 3. Kesava Temple, Somnathpur D. Eastern Gangas 4. Eastern Gopura of Chidambaram Temple In which of the following temples will you find Gopurams?
The Sun Temple of Odisha was built in the 13th Century AD by which of the following emperors?
