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Which of the following is/are famous for Sun temples ? 1. Arasavalli 2. Amarakantak 3. Omkareshwar Select the correct answer using the code given below :
Explanation
The correct answer is option A (1 only).
Arasavalli is famous for its Sun Temple, located in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, India.[1] The Arasavalli Sun Temple is dedicated to Lord Surya and was built in the 7th century CE.[2]
In contrast, Amarkantak is known for its religious significance as the origin of the Narmada River and as a revered pilgrimage site in Hinduism[3], not for a Sun temple. Omkareshwar Temple is a Hindu temple in Mandhata, Madhya Pradesh, dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines[4], making it a Shiva temple rather than a Sun temple.
Therefore, among the three places listed, only Arasavalli is famous for a Sun temple, making option A the correct answer.
Sources- [2] https://temple.yatradham.org/temple/arasavalli-sun-temple
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis question is a classic 'Bouncer disguised as a Sitter'. While Arasavalli (Statement 1) is obscure regional GK, Omkareshwar (Statement 3) is a Tier-1 cultural fact (Jyotirlinga/Shiva). The strategy is not to know the obscure, but to confidently eliminate the famous mismatch.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"Among the options provided, Arasavalli is famous for its Sun Temple. Arasavalli Sun Temple is located in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, India."
Why this source?
- Explicitly states that Arasavalli is famous for its Sun Temple.
- Names the temple and gives its district and state location (Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh).
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Arasavalli Sun Temple is dedicated to Lord Surya and is located in Arasavalli Village, Andhra Pradesh. It was built in the 7th century CE."
Why this source?
- Directly identifies the Arasavalli Sun Temple and its dedication to Lord Surya.
- Specifies the temple's location as Arasavalli Village, Andhra Pradesh and gives a historical date (7th century CE).
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"Suyanarayan Temple (Arasavalli Sun Temple): - Located in Arasavalli, Andhra Pradesh. - Dedicated to Lord Surya, the solar deity."
Why this source?
- Lists 'Suyanarayan Temple (Arasavalli Sun Temple)' and states it is located in Arasavalli, Andhra Pradesh.
- Notes the temple is dedicated to Lord Surya, corroborating the identification as a Sun temple.
- Explicitly states that Arasavalli is famous for its Sun Temple.
- Names the temple and gives its district and state location (Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh).
- Directly identifies the Arasavalli Sun Temple and its dedication to Lord Surya.
- Specifies the temple's location as Arasavalli Village, Andhra Pradesh and gives a historical date (7th century CE).
- Lists 'Suyanarayan Temple (Arasavalli Sun Temple)' and states it is located in Arasavalli, Andhra Pradesh.
- Notes the temple is dedicated to Lord Surya, corroborating the identification as a Sun temple.
History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Cultural Development in South India > Pattadakal > p. 121
Strength: 5/5
“Pattadakal, a quiet village in Bagalkot district of Karnataka, is famous for its exquisite temples. Pattadakal was a centre for performing royal rituals. The Virupaksha temple was built at the order of queen Lohamahadevi to commemorate the conquest of Kanchipuram by her husband Vikramaditya II. The unique feature of the structural temple built by Rajasimha at Mamallapuram was adopted here by the Chalukyas. Monuments are generally associated with the rulers who built them. The title Tribhuvacharya (maker of the three worlds). Several reliefs on the temple walls bear signatures of the sculptors who carved them. At the south-eastern corner of the village is the Papanatha temple.”
Why relevant
Shows that small villages (e.g., Pattadakal) are noted in textbooks specifically for being 'famous for' particular temples.
How to extend
A student could check whether Arasavalli appears similarly in regional or national lists/maps of famous temple sites to assess if it is described the same way.
History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Cultural Development in South India > 9.5 Mamallapuram > p. 129
Strength: 4/5
“The iconic Shore Temple of Pallavas at Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) was constructed during the reign of Rajasimha (CE 700-728). The temple comprises three shrines, where the prominent ones are dedicated to Siva and Vishnu. The exterior wall of the shrine, dedicated to Vishnu, and the interior of the boundary wall are elaborately carved and sculpted. In southern India, this is one amongst the earliest and most important structural temples. The monolithic rathas are known as the Panchapandava Rathas. The Arjuna Ratha contains artistically carved sculptures of Siva, Vishnu, mithuna and dwarapala. The most exquisite of the five is the Dharmaraja Ratha, with a three-storied vimana and a square base.”
Why relevant
Gives an example of a named, well-known temple complex (Shore Temple at Mamallapuram) tied to a specific deity, illustrating the pattern that temple sites are described by dedication and fame in textbooks.
How to extend
Use this pattern to look for references to Arasavalli being described by its dedication (Sun) in travel guides or gazetteers.
History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > 12.6 Art and Architecture > p. 186
Strength: 4/5
“The most famous among these temples are the Vittalaswamy temple and Virupaksha temples. The famous Hazara temple, built during the reign of Krishnadeva Raya, is, as remarked by Longhurst, "one of the most perfect specimens of Hindu temple architecture in 186 Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms”
Why relevant
Textbooks list and single out 'the most famous among these temples' showing curricular practice of naming prominent temple sites.
How to extend
Search comparable textbook or gazetteer entries for Arasavalli to see if it is similarly singled out as famous for a temple.
History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Cultural Development in South India > II Ellora, Ajanta and Mamallapuram Ellora > p. 132
Strength: 4/5
“II Ellora, Ajanta and Mamallapuram (Ellora)
• M. Ellora caves are famous for sculptures representing all religious sects: Ajivika, Jainism, Buddhism and Brahmanism.• Kailasanatha cave temple features panels with scenes of puranas and legends.”
Why relevant
Shows that groups of cave/temple sites (Ellora/Ajanta) are treated as regionally famous monuments, suggesting scholars and guides commonly record notable temple sites by location.
How to extend
Check regional monument registers or maps for Arasavalli to determine whether it is recorded as a notable temple site.
Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 12: Earth, Moon, and the Sun > FASCINATING FACTS > p. 183
Strength: 2/5
“The Kodaikanal Solar Observatory is located in the beautiful Palani range of hills in southern India. It was established in 1899 and has provided data about the Sun for over 100 years. It is operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru.”
Why relevant
Mentions a named Sun-related scientific site (Kodaikanal Solar Observatory), indicating India has well-known places associated with the Sun, so a 'Sun temple' could similarly be a recognized Sun-related landmark.
How to extend
Combine this with a geographic map or tourism sources to see if Arasavalli is known locally or nationally for a Sun-related temple.
Shows that small villages (e.g., Pattadakal) are noted in textbooks specifically for being 'famous for' particular temples.
A student could check whether Arasavalli appears similarly in regional or national lists/maps of famous temple sites to assess if it is described the same way.
Gives an example of a named, well-known temple complex (Shore Temple at Mamallapuram) tied to a specific deity, illustrating the pattern that temple sites are described by dedication and fame in textbooks.
Use this pattern to look for references to Arasavalli being described by its dedication (Sun) in travel guides or gazetteers.
Textbooks list and single out 'the most famous among these temples' showing curricular practice of naming prominent temple sites.
Search comparable textbook or gazetteer entries for Arasavalli to see if it is similarly singled out as famous for a temple.
Shows that groups of cave/temple sites (Ellora/Ajanta) are treated as regionally famous monuments, suggesting scholars and guides commonly record notable temple sites by location.
Check regional monument registers or maps for Arasavalli to determine whether it is recorded as a notable temple site.
Mentions a named Sun-related scientific site (Kodaikanal Solar Observatory), indicating India has well-known places associated with the Sun, so a 'Sun temple' could similarly be a recognized Sun-related landmark.
Combine this with a geographic map or tourism sources to see if Arasavalli is known locally or nationally for a Sun-related temple.
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