The correct answer is: b) Pallava architecture.
The Mahabalipuram Shore Temples are a group of Hindu temples located in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temples were built by the Pallava dynasty in the 7th and 8th centuries CE. The temples are considered to be masterpieces of Pallava architecture.
The Pallavas were a dynasty of South Indian kings who ruled from the 3rd to the 9th centuries CE. They were patrons of art and architecture, and their reign saw the construction of some of the most important temples in South India. The Pallava style of architecture is characterized by its use of granite, its intricate carvings, and its soaring towers.
The Mahabalipuram Shore Temples are a fine example of Pallava architecture. The temples are built on a large rock outcrop that juts out into the Bay of Bengal. The main temple is dedicated to Shiva, and it is flanked by two smaller temples, one dedicated to Vishnu and the other to Brahma. The temples are decorated with intricate carvings of Hindu deities, animals, and scenes from mythology.
The Mahabalipuram Shore Temples are a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of their outstanding universal value. They are a fine example of Pallava architecture, and they are an important part of the cultural heritage of India.
The other options are incorrect because they are not the correct architectural style of the Mahabalipuram Shore Temples. Option a) is incorrect because the Chola dynasty ruled from the 9th to the 13th centuries CE, after the Pallava dynasty. Option c) is incorrect because the Pandyan dynasty ruled from the 6th to the 13th centuries CE, at the same time as the Pallava dynasty. Option d) is incorrect because the Vijayanagara empire ruled from the 14th to the 16th centuries CE, after the Pallava dynasty.