Question

The small village of Somnathpur contains an extraordinary temple, built around 1268 AD by the Hoyasalas of Karnataka one of the most prolific temple builders. Belur and Helebid are among their better known works. While these suffered

This small temple captivates with the beauty and vitality of its detailed sculpture, covering almost every inch of the walls, profusion of detailed carvings: the entire surface runs over by a carved plaque of stone. There were vertical panels covered by exquisite figures of Gods and Goddess. Vishnu seemed the most popular, with many of his incarnations being depicted. Shiv, Brahma and Indra weren't left out and there were plenty of female deities too Durga and Saraswati. There were shapely nymphs too, some carrying an ear of maize. The elaborate ornamentation, very characteristic of Hoyasalas sculptures, was a remarkable feature. On closer look and it is worth it- the series of friezes on the outer walls revealed intricately carved caparisoned elephants, charging horsemen, stylized flowers, warriors, musicians, crocodiles and swans.

The temple was actually commissioned by Soma Dandanayaka or Somnath, he named the temple after him, the minister of the Hoyasalas king, Narsimha the Third. The temple was built to house three versions of Krishna. The inner center of the temple was Kalyana Mandapa. Leading from here were three corridors, each ending in a shrine, one for each kind of Krishna-Venugopala, Janardana and Prasanna Keshava, though only two remain in their original form. In the darkness of the sanctum, I tried to discern the different images. The temple's sculptural perfection is amazing and it includes the doors of the temple and the three elegantly carved towers.

1. After whom was the temple named? (1) Kalyana Mandapa

(2) Lord Shiva

(3) Minister of the Hoyasala king

(4) Lord Krishna

2. What would the word 'Maize' mean here?

(1) Grain

(3) Symbol of prosperity

(2) Deer

(4) Symbol of weakness

3. What is the most remarkable feature of Hoyasalas

sculptures?

(1) Elaborate ornamentation (2) Beautiful clothing

(3) Sharply cut sculptures

(4) Real expression

4. What stands on the 24 edges star shaped raised

platform?

(1) Shrines

(3) Shikharas

(2) Temple

(4) Pillars

5. Who were the builders of Belur and Helebid? (1) Somnath

(2) Janardana

(3) Hoyasalas of Karnataka (4) Keshava

6. The extraordinary temple built in around 1268 AD was made by

(1) the Chanakyas of Kerala (2) Hoyasalas of Karnataka (3) Hoyasalas of Kerala

(4) Mauryans

7. Which female deities could also be seen?

(1) Laxmi (3) Saraswati

8. The vertical panels are

(1) Lords and men (3) animals and flowers

(2) Durga

(4) (2) and (3)

covered by exquisite figures of

(2) powerful men (4) Gods and Goddess

9. Whose incarnations were mainly and mostly seen? (1) Lord Krishna

(2) Lord Vishnup

(4) Somnath​

Answer 1

Answer:

1. Minister of the Hoyasala King

2. Symbol of Prosperity

3. Elaborate Ornamentation

4. Shrines

5. Hoyasalas of Karnataka

6. Hoyasalas of Karnataka

7. 2 and 3 - Durga and Saraswati

8. Gods and Goddesses

9. Lord Vishnu