98. Reading Skills Comprehension: Temple

Temple

Read the Passage and answer the following Questions-

1. The small village of Somnathpur contains an extraordinary temple, built around A.D. 1268 by the Hoyasalas of Karnataka—one of the most prolific temple-builders. Belur and Halebid are among their-better-known works. While these suffered during the invasions of the 14th century, the Somnathpur temple stands more or less intact in near-original condition.

2. This small temple captivates with the beauty and vitality of its detailed sculpture, covering almost every inch of the walls, pillars, and even ceilings. It has three shikharas and stands on a star-shaped, raised platform with 24 edges. The outer walls have a profusion of detailed carvings: the entire surface run over by caned plaques of stone. There were vertical panels covered by exquisite figures of god and goddesses, with many incarnations being depicted.

3. There were nymphs too, some carrying an ear of maize (a symbol of plenty and prosperity). The elaborate ornamentation, very characteristic of Hoyasals sculptures, was a remarkable feature. On closer look—and it is worth it—the series of friezes on the outer walls revealed intricately carved caparisoned elephants, charging horsemen, stylised flowers, warriors, musicians, crocodiles, and swans.

4. The temple was actually commissioned by Soma Dandanayaka or Somnath (he named the village after himself), the minister of Hoyasala king, Narasimha the Third. The temple was built to house three versions of Krishna. The inner centre of the temple was the kalyanamandapa. Leading from here were three corridors, each ending in a shrine, one for each kind of Krishna-Venugopala, Janardana and PrasannaKeshava, though only two remain in their original form. In the darkness of the sanctum sanctorum, I tried to discern the different images. The temple’s sculptural perfection is amazing and it includes the doors of the temple and the three elegantly carved towers.

1 Attempt any eight of the following questions on the basis of the passage you have read:

(i) Why was the temple built?

 (ii) When and by whom was Somnath temple built?

 (iii) Where does the beauty of the temple lie?

(iv) Name the three versions of Krishna.

(v) Give two main characteristics of the temple.

(vi) Describe briefly a closer look of the temple.

(vii) Name the better-known works of Hoyasalas of Karnataka.

 (viii) Who was Soma Dandanayaka?

 (ix) Find the word in the para 4, which means the same as ‘detect’.

Answers

(i)The temple was built to house three versions of Krishna.

(ii) Somnath temple was built around A.D. 1268 by the Hoyasalas, the most prolific temple builders.

(iii) The beauty of the temple lies in its detailed carvings on the outer walls, ceiling and pillars.

(iv) Venugopala, Janardana and PrasannaKeshava.

 (v) The temple has three Shikharas and stands on a star-shaped, raised platform with 24 edges. The elaborate ornamentations, very characteristic of Hoyasala sculptures was a remarkable feature.

(vi) On closer look, the series of friezes on the outer walls reveal intricately carved caparisoned elephants, charging horseman, stylised flowers, warriors, musicians, crocodiles and swans.

(vii) Belur and Halebid.

 (viii) He was the minister of Hoyasala King, Narasimha the third. Actually, he had commissioned the temples.

(ix) Discern

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