UPSC Express

Which among the following are true about Vijayanagar style of temple architecture?

They created their own architecture style named Provida style which plays a lot of emphasis on piers and pillars.
Built of hard stone, the temples are large structures with spacious Mandapas and lofty Gopurams.
They inscribed stories of the kings and kingdom on the walls of the various temples.
Depiction of animals were not common, rather they opted for exceptional carvings and murals.
Select the correct code

a       1 and 2 only
b       2, 3 and 4
c       1, 2 and 3
d       1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation:

Solution (a)

Vijayanagar style of temple architecture

Created their own architecture style named Provida style which plays a lot of emphasis on piers and pillars.
Built of hard stone, the temples are large structures with spacious Mandapas and lofty Gopurams .
Exquisitely carved pillars and the massive solid granite rathas with three huge wheels in the open courtyard with exceptional carvings and murals both within and on the outer walls.
Inscribed stories of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata on the walls of the various temples.
Depiction of animal like horses and elephants on the walls were common figures.
Important temples were Vithalswami and Hazara temples at Hampi, Tadapatri and Parvati temples at Chidambaramand Varadraja and Ekambarnatha temples at Kanchipuram.