Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Konark Sun Temple
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question belongs to Indian art, culture and geography and asks about a famous Sun temple designed in the shape of a chariot. The imagery of the Sun God's chariot with 24 wheels is iconic and often appears in photographs and textbooks. Recognising which temple matches this description helps you link architectural features to their locations and religious themes.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The Konark Sun Temple in Odisha is world famous for its architectural representation of the Sun God's chariot. The temple is designed as a massive stone chariot pulled by horses, with 24 intricately carved wheels representing the hours of the day. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The other named temples may be lesser known or local temples dedicated to Surya, but they do not match this specific chariot design with 24 wheels that Konark is known for.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the most famous chariot-shaped Sun temple with 24 wheels is located at Konark in Odisha.
Step 2: Remember the visual of the stone wheels and horses associated with the Konark Sun Temple.
Step 3: Examine the options and identify Konark Sun Temple among them.
Step 4: Confirm that none of the other options is commonly described in this distinctive way.
Step 5: Choose Konark Sun Temple as the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative Check:
A quick verification is to think of tourism brochures, Indian currency note designs and photographs where the stone wheel of Konark is frequently shown as a symbol of Indian heritage. The temple is often described as the “Black Pagoda” and as the chariot of the Sun God with 24 wheels and seven horses. No standard source uses this description for the Soorya Narayana Temple, Dakshinaraka Temple or Surya Pahar Temple, confirming that Konark is correct.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a (Soorya Narayana Temple), option b (Dakshinaraka Temple) and option c (Surya Pahar Temple) are not the world-famous chariot-shaped monument with 24 wheels described in the question. They may be temples dedicated to Surya or other deities, but they do not share Konark's distinctive design and international recognition. Hence they do not satisfy the specific clues given in the question.
Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is to focus only on the word “Surya” or “Sun” in the temple name and ignore the unique architectural description of the chariot with 24 wheels. This can mislead candidates into choosing any temple with “Surya” in its title. To avoid this, always connect the detailed clue “24 wheels, stone chariot” with Konark Sun Temple in Odisha, which is repeatedly mentioned in school books and travel media.
Final Answer:
The chariot-shaped temple with 24 stone wheels is the Konark Sun Temple.
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