Somnath Temple - GS questions based on daily current affairs

1)   The Somnath temple is characterized by which style of architecture?

a. Nagara Style
b. Hemadpanti Style
c. Chalukyan Style
d. Kalinga Style
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Chalukyan Style

Explanation:

  • The Somnath temple located in Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat, India, is the first among the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.
  • The present temple is built in the Chalukya style of temple architecture or "Kailash Mahameru Prasad" style.
  • The temple is situated at such a place that there is no land in a straight line between Somnath seashore until Antarctica.
  • The Badami Chalukya Architectur / Chalukya style originated during 450 CE in Aihole and perfected in Pattadakal and Badami.
  • This style is sometimes called the Vesara style and Chalukya style.
  • The Chalukya artists experimented with different styles, blended the Indo-Aryan Nagara and Dravidian styles, and evolved Chalukya style.
  • Their style includes two types of monuments - The rock cut halls (caves) and Structural temples