Question

Which of the following features were characteristic of temples of the Gupta period?

• A. A Garbha Griha was built to host the main idol.
• B. There was one long stairway descending from the main entry.
• C. All the temples were constructed on low bases.
• D. A shikhara was built on top of the temple.
• E. Pillars were decorated with carvings of four lions facing back to back.

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (D), (E)

The correct options are
A A Garbha Griha was built to host the main idol.
D A shikhara was built on top of the temple.
E Pillars were decorated with carvings of four lions facing back to back.

Temples of the Gupta period were built on high bases, with stairs on all the four sides of the temple. The roofs and pillars were intricately decorated and had carvings of four lions facing back to back. Also, these temples had pointed structure atop, called the Shikhara. A separate room called the Garbha Griha was built inside the temple, where the stone idol of the deity was installed.