The royal portraits of Simhavishnu and Mahendravarman are found in which cave temple at Mamallapuram?
- A.Varaha Cave
- B.Ramanuja Cave
- C.Adivaraha Cave
- D.Trimurti Cave
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is C, Adivaraha Cave. The Adivaraha cave temple at Mamallapuram has two rare royal portrait panels of the Pallava kings. One shows Simhavishnu seated between two queens, and the other shows his son Mahendravarman I standing with his two queens, with labels in the Pallava Grantha script naming them. These are among the earliest portrait sculptures of historical kings in South India. Mamallapuram, the port city named after Narasimhavarman I Mamalla, is famous for its rock-cut mandapas, the Pancha Rathas, the open-air relief of Arjuna's Penance and the Shore Temple, and its group of monuments is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Option A is wrong because the Varaha Cave is known for its panel of Varaha lifting the earth goddess Bhudevi, and for Gajalakshmi and Durga, not for royal portraits. Option B is wrong because the Ramanuja Mandapa is a cave whose sculptures were largely chiselled away later. Option D is wrong because the Trimurti Cave has shrines for Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Exam tip: royal portraits of Simhavishnu and Mahendravarman I = Adivaraha cave, Mamallapuram.
Practice Questions
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- B.Ropar
- C.Hisar
- D.Mathura
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At Mat, a village near Mathura, the Kushanas had a dynastic shrine (devakula) where life-size statues of their kings were found.
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- C.Sushruta
- D.Charaka
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Read the full explanation →Consider the following statements :
I. The Kailasanatha temple of Kanchi is the earliest Pallava temple hewn from solid rock.
II. The Vaikuntha Perumal temple at Kanchi is a rare Pallava temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- A.I only
- B.II only
- C.Both I and II
- D.Neither I nor II
Show answer
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- B.Kajari dance
- C.Bihu dance
- D.Pandavani, a traditional performing art
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- A.1 and 2 only
- B.1, 2 and 3 only
- C.3 and 4 only
- D.1, 2, 3 and 4
Show answer
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