With reference to Chausath Yogini Temple situated near Morena, consider the following statements : 1. It is a circular temple built during the reign of Kachchhapaghata Dynasty. 2. It is the only circular temple built in India. 3. It was meant to promote the Vaishnava cult in the region. 4. Its design has given rise to a popular belief that it was the inspiration behind the Indian Parliament building. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- A.1 and 2
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 4
- D.2, 3 and 4
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is C, 1 and 4. The temple at Mitaoli near Morena is a circular yogini shrine built under the Kachchhapaghatas, and its round, colonnaded plan is popularly linked with the old Parliament House.
The temple stands on a hillock in Morena district of Madhya Pradesh and is dated to the 11th century, to the reign of the Kachchhapaghata king Devapala. Its open circular courtyard is ringed by 64 small cells, one for each yogini, with a shrine to Shiva at the centre. Because the old Parliament House in New Delhi is also a round building with a long colonnade, many people believe its design took inspiration from this temple, though there is no documentary proof.
A is wrong: statement 2 is false, as other circular yogini temples exist, such as those at Hirapur and Ranipur-Jharial in Odisha.
B is wrong: statements 2 and 3 are both false.
D is wrong: statement 3 is false, because yogini temples belong to Shaiva and Tantric worship, not the Vaishnava cult.
Exam tip: Mitaoli (Morena) Chausath Yogini = Kachchhapaghata, 64 cells, circular, "Parliament look-alike".
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