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?
1 and 2
2 and 3 only
1 and 4
2, 3 and 4
Answer is Wrong!
Answer is Right!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2021
Statement 2 is incorrect. The Mitaoli temple is not the *only* circular temple in India. Other notable circular Yogini temples exist at Hirapur (Odisha) and Ranipur Jharial (Odisha).
Statement 3 is incorrect. The Chausath Yogini temples are primarily associated with the Shakta and Shaiva cults, particularly Tantric practices involving the worship of Goddesses (Yoginis) and Shiva. They are not related to the Vaishnava cult.
Statement 4 is correct. The unique circular design of the Mitaoli Chausath Yogini temple, with its central courtyard and cells arranged in a circle, is widely believed to have served as an inspiration for the design of the Indian Parliament building (Sansad Bhavan) in New Delhi, which was designed by British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker. While not officially documented by the original architects, the structural resemblance is striking and the belief is popular.
– It is NOT the only circular temple in India.
– It is associated with Shakta/Shaiva cults, not Vaishnava.
– Its design is popularly believed to have inspired the Indian Parliament building.