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The Markandeshwar temple complex on the banks of the Wainganga river in Maharashtra is popularly known as the:
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Answer: Option D — Khajuraho of Vidarbha
Detailed Solution
The Markandeshwar (Markanda Deo) temple complex, located on the banks of the Wainganga river in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra, is popularly known as the "Khajuraho of Vidarbha".
About the Markandeshwar temples:
- The complex has a group of about 24 temples, built mainly between the 8th and 12th centuries CE.
- The main temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva (as Markandeshwar), and is built in the Nagara (Hemadpanti) style.
- The temples are richly decorated with sculptures of gods, goddesses, apsaras (celestial women), dancers and scenes from mythology, similar in style to the sculptures of Khajuraho.
- This is why the complex is called the "Khajuraho of Vidarbha".
- Many temples were damaged over time, by lightning, invasions and neglect, and have been restored by the Archaeological Survey of India.
- The temple is a popular pilgrimage site during Mahashivaratri.
Legend:
- According to legend, the temple is associated with the sage Markandeya, who was saved from death by Lord Shiva.
- Another legend says the temples were built overnight by gods or demons.
About the Hemadpanti style:
- It is a style of temple architecture in Maharashtra, named after Hemadri (Hemadpant), a minister of the Yadava kings of Devagiri in the 13th century.
- It uses black stone blocks, fitted together without mortar.
Other "Khajurahos":
- Bhoramdeo Temple (Chhattisgarh): "Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh".
- Ranakpur and other temples have their own titles.
About Vidarbha:
It is the eastern region of Maharashtra, including Nagpur, Amravati, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli and other districts.
About the Wainganga river:
- It rises in the Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh, and joins the Wardha river to form the Pranhita, a tributary of the Godavari.
- It is the setting of Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book" (as the "Waingunga").
Why not the other options?
- ✗"Konark of Maharashtra", "Hampi of the North" and "Ellora of the East" are not the names of this temple complex.
Quick tip
Remember: Markandeshwar temples (Gadchiroli, on the Wainganga) = "Khajuraho of Vidarbha"; Bhoramdeo = "Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh"; Hemadpanti style = Yadava minister Hemadri.
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This topic covers India's important monuments, temples, mosques, churches, gurudwaras and pilgrimage sites, who built them and when, their architectural styles, and India's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Questions ask who built a monument, where it is located, or which dynasty or style it belongs to. For example, the Qutub Minar was begun by Qutbuddin Aibak, and the Sun Temple at Konark was built by the Eastern Ganga king Narasimhadeva I. Revise the UNESCO World Heritage Sites as a list, noting the most recent additions. Practise the monuments and religious places questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.