Famous Temples in India

Famous Temples in India – Key Notes for Competitive Exams

In competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, State PSCs, Banking Exams, and Railway Exams, questions related to famous temples in India, their location, significance, architecture, and history are commonly asked. India, with its rich cultural heritage, is home to some of the most ancient and revered temples. These temples are not just religious centers but also architectural marvels with historical and cultural importance. Below is a list of famous temples in India along with key details that are important for competitive exams.

1. Temples in North India

1.1. Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib)

Location: Amritsar, Punjab
Significance: The holiest Gurdwara in Sikhism, it is also known as Harmandir Sahib. It attracts millions of visitors from around the world.
Dedicated to: Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism.
Architectural Style: Sikh architecture, with its golden dome and intricate marble work.

1.2. Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Significance: One of the twelve Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is considered one of the holiest temples in Hinduism.
Dedicated to: Lord Shiva
Historical Importance: A symbol of the deep religious and cultural history of Varanasi, the city is one of the oldest in the world.

1.3. Vaishno Devi Temple

Location: Katra, Jammu & Kashmir
Significance: A major pilgrimage center in India, dedicated to Vaishno Devi, a form of Goddess Durga.
Architecture: Built inside a cave, the temple is located on the Trikuta Mountains.

1.4. Somnath Temple

Location: Prabhas Patan, near Veraval, Gujarat
Significance: One of the twelve Jyotirlingas. The Somnath Temple is considered the first among the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.
Historical Importance: It was destroyed and rebuilt several times throughout history.

1.5. Badrinath Temple

Location: Badrinath, Uttarakhand
Significance: One of the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, it is located in the Garhwal Himalayas.
Important Feature: The temple is perched at an altitude of 3,133 meters above sea level.

2. Temples in South India

2.1. Meenakshi Temple

Location: Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Significance: An important pilgrimage site dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi (a form of Parvati) and her consort Lord Sundareswarar (a form of Shiva).
Architectural Style: Dravidian architecture, famous for its intricately carved gopurams (gateway towers).

2.2. Brihadeeswarar Temple

Location: Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
Significance: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Architectural Style: Dravidian style with one of the largest dome structures in the world, built during the Chola dynasty under Raja Raja Chola I.

2.3. Rameswaram Temple

Location: Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
Significance: It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and is a key site for the Char Dham yatra.
Dedicated to: Lord Shiva
Historical Importance: It is linked to the Ramayana and the worship of Lord Rama.

2.4. Sabarimala Temple

Location: Sabarimala, Kerala
Significance: Dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, it is one of the largest pilgrimage centers in the world.
Cultural Importance: Pilgrims follow strict rituals, including a 41-day fast before visiting.

2.5. Annamalaiyar Temple

Location: Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu
Significance: Dedicated to Lord Shiva in his form of Annamalaiyar.
Architectural Style: Dravidian style, with huge gopurams.

3. Temples in East India

3.1. Jagannath Temple

Location: Puri, Odisha
Significance: Famous for the annual Ratha Yatra (Chariot Festival), it is dedicated to Lord Jagannath (a form of Vishnu), Balabhadra, and Subhadra.
Architectural Style: Kalinga architecture with a massive chariot used in the festival.

3.2. Konark Sun Temple

Location: Konark, Odisha
Significance: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, dedicated to the Sun God (Surya).
Architectural Style: Kalinga architecture, known for its massive chariot-shaped structure with intricate carvings.

3.3. Dakshineswar Kali TempleLocation:

Kolkata, West Bengal

Significance: Dedicated to Kali Ma, the temple is famous for its connection with Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.
Architectural Style: A blend of Hindu and European styles, with a large ghat on the Hooghly River.

4. Temples in Central India

4.1. Khajuraho Temples

Location: Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
Significance: Famous for its stunning sculptures and temples, dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, and Jain Tirthankaras.
UNESCO World Heritage Site: Known for erotic sculptures and intricate carvings.

4.2. Omkareshwar Temple

Location: Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh
Significance: One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Geographical Feature: Situated on an island in the Narmada River, the shape of the island resembles the Om symbol.

5. Temples in Western India

5.1. Dwarkadhish Temple

Location: Dwarka, Gujarat
Significance: One of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites and a prominent Jyotirlinga.
Dedicated to: Lord Krishna, the temple is part of the ancient city of Dwarka, which is mentioned in the Mahabharata.

5.2. Somnath Temple

Location: Prabhas Patan, Gujarat
Significance: One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Historical Importance: The temple was destroyed and rebuilt several times throughout history, including during the invasion of Mahmud of Ghazni in 1025 CE.

5.3. Shri Siddhivinayak Temple

Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Significance: Dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the temple is one of the most visited temples in India.
Notable Visitors: Celebrities and political leaders often visit to seek blessings.

6. Temples in North-East India

6.1. Kamakhya Temple

Location: Guwahati, Assam
Significance: Dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, it is one of the Shakti Peethas and an important pilgrimage site for Hindus.
Historical Importance: The temple is associated with fertility and tantric practices.

6.2. Umananda Temple

Location: Guwahati, Assam
Significance: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, located on the Peacock Island in the Brahmaputra River.
Historical Importance: The temple is noted for its beautiful setting and historical significance.

Conclusion

Understanding the famous temples in India, their location, significance, architecture, and historical importance is crucial for competitive exams. These temples are not only religious centers but also represent India’s rich cultural and architectural heritage. Keeping track of their details will help in tackling questions related to Indian culture, history, and current affairs in exams like UPSC, SSC, and State PSCs. Regular revision of these facts, along with their regional importance, will ensure success in the General Knowledge section.

MAGME QueCAFE

ONE LINERS ABOUT FAMOUS TEMPLES IN INDIA

Here are some one-liners on Famous Books and Authors for competitive exams:

1. “To Kill a Mockingbird” was written by Harper Lee.

2. “Pride and Prejudice” is a classic novel by Jane Austen.

3. “1984” is a dystopian novel by George Orwell.

4. “The Catcher in the Rye” was written by J.D. Salinger.

5. “The Great Gatsby” is a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

6. “Moby-Dick” was written by Herman Melville.

7. “The Alchemist” is a famous novel by Paulo Coelho.

8. “The Diary of a Young Girl” is the autobiography of Anne Frank.

9. “One Hundred Years of Solitude” was written by Gabriel García Márquez.

10. “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy was written by J.R.R. Tolkien.

11. “War and Peace” was written by Leo Tolstoy.

12. “Don Quixote” was written by Miguel de Cervantes.

13. “The Brothers Karamazov” is a philosophical novel by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

14. “The Old Man and the Sea” was written by Ernest Hemingway.

15. “Brave New World” is a novel by Aldous Huxley.

16. “The God of Small Things” was written by Arundhati Roy.

17. “The Secret Garden” is a children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

18. “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” was written by Douglas Adams.

19. “Frankenstein” is a novel by Mary Shelley.

20. “The Chronicles of Narnia” series was written by C.S. Lewis.

21. “A Tale of Two Cities” was written by Charles Dickens.

22. “The Catcher in the Rye” was written by J.D. Salinger.

23. “Animal Farm” is a satirical novel by George Orwell.

24. “The Jungle Book” was written by Rudyard Kipling.

25. “The Odyssey” is an epic poem attributed to Homer.

These one-liners are perfect for revising famous books and their authors in a concise manner for competitive exams.

OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS ON FAMOUS TEMPLES IN INDIA

Here are some objective questions on Famous Books and Authors for competitive exams:

1. Who is the author of the book “To Kill a Mockingbird”?

a) J.D. Salinger

b) Harper Lee

c) Mark Twain

d) F. Scott Fitzgerald

Answer: b) Harper Lee

2. “Pride and Prejudice” was written by which author?

a) Charlotte Brontë

b) Emily Brontë

c) Jane Austen

d) Virginia Woolf

Answer: c) Jane Austen

3. Who is the author of the famous book “1984”?

a) Aldous Huxley

b) George Orwell

c) John Steinbeck

d) Ray Bradbury

Answer: b) George Orwell

4. “The Catcher in the Rye” was written by which author?

a) F. Scott Fitzgerald

b) J.D. Salinger

c) Ernest Hemingway

d) William Faulkner

Answer: b) J.D. Salinger

5. “The Great Gatsby” was written by which author?

a) Mark Twain

b) F. Scott Fitzgerald

c) John Steinbeck

d) Ernest Hemingway

Answer: b) F. Scott Fitzgerald

6. Who is the author of the novel “The Alchemist”?

a) Gabriel García Márquez

b) Paulo Coelho

c) Haruki Murakami

d) J.R.R. Tolkien

Answer: b) Paulo Coelho

7. “Moby-Dick” was written by which author?

a) Charles Dickens

b) Herman Melville

c) Mark Twain

d) Leo Tolstoy

Answer: b) Herman Melville

8. Who wrote the novel “The Diary of a Young Girl”?

a) Anne Frank

b) Helen Keller

c) Maya Angelou

d) Malala Yousafzai

Answer: a) Anne Frank

9. “One Hundred Years of Solitude” was written by which author?

a) Gabriel García Márquez

b) Pablo Neruda

c) Julio Cortázar

d) Mario Vargas Llosa

Answer: a) Gabriel García Márquez

10. Who is the author of “The Lord of the Rings”?

a) J.R.R. Tolkien

b) C.S. Lewis

c) J.K. Rowling

d) George R.R. Martin

Answer: a) J.R.R. Tolkien

11. Who wrote the famous novel “War and Peace”?

a) Fyodor Dostoevsky

b) Leo Tolstoy

c) Anton Chekhov

d) Alexander Pushkin

Answer: b) Leo Tolstoy

12. “Don Quixote” was written by which author?

a) Miguel de Cervantes

b) Gabriel García Márquez

c) Pablo Neruda

d) Victor Hugo

Answer: a) Miguel de Cervantes

13. “The Old Man and the Sea” was written by which author?

a) William Faulkner

b) John Steinbeck

c) Ernest Hemingway

d) Mark Twain

Answer: c) Ernest Hemingway

14. “Brave New World” was written by which author?

a) Aldous Huxley

b) George Orwell

c) Ray Bradbury

d) J.R.R. Tolkien

Answer: a) Aldous Huxley

15. Who is the author of “The God of Small Things”?

a) Arundhati Roy

b) Kamala Das

c) Vikram Seth

d) Kiran Desai

Answer: a) Arundhati Roy

16. “The Secret Garden” was written by which author?

a) Louisa May Alcott

b) Frances Hodgson Burnett

c) J.K. Rowling

d) E.B. White

Answer: b) Frances Hodgson Burnett

17. “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” was written by which author?

a) Isaac Asimov

b) Douglas Adams

c) Arthur C. Clarke

d) Philip K. Dick

Answer: b) Douglas Adams

18. “Frankenstein” was written by which author?

a) Bram Stoker

b) Mary Shelley

c) Edgar Allan Poe

d) Mark Twain

Answer: b) Mary Shelley

19. Who is the author of “The Chronicles of Narnia” series?

a) C.S. Lewis

b) J.K. Rowling

c) J.R.R. Tolkien

d) Philip Pullman

Answer: a) C.S. Lewis

20. “A Tale of Two Cities” was written by which author?

a) Charles Dickens

b) Mark Twain

c) Jane Austen

d) George Eliot

Answer: a) Charles Dickens

These objective questions will help you test your knowledge of famous books and authors, which are important for competitive exams.

FILL IN THE BLANKS ON FAMOUS TEMPLES IN INDIA

Here are some Fill in the Blanks questions on Famous Books and Authors for competitive exams:

1.”The Old Man and the Sea” was written by __________.

Answer: Ernest Hemingway

2. The famous novel “Pride and Prejudice” was written by __________.

Answer: Jane Austen

3. The author of the book “1984” is __________.

Answer: George Orwell

4. “To Kill a Mockingbird” is a famous novel by __________.

Answer: Harper Lee

5. The book “The Great Gatsby” was written by __________.

Answer: F. Scott Fitzgerald

6. “One Hundred Years of Solitude” is a novel by __________.

Answer: Gabriel García Márquez

7. “The Alchemist” is a popular book by __________.

Answer: Paulo Coelho

8. “Moby-Dick” was written by __________.

Answer: Herman Melville

9. The famous book “The Catcher in the Rye” was written by __________.

Answer: J.D. Salinger

10. The author of “The Diary of a Young Girl” is __________.

Answer: Anne Frank

11. “War and Peace” is an epic novel by __________.

Answer: Leo Tolstoy

12. The book “Brave New World” was written by __________.

Answer: Aldous Huxley

13. “The Lord of the Rings” was written by __________.

Answer: J.R.R. Tolkien

14. “Don Quixote” is a novel by __________.

Answer: Miguel de Cervantes

15. “The Brothers Karamazov” was written by __________.

Answer: Fyodor Dostoevsky

16. “The Jungle Book” was written by __________.

Answer: Rudyard Kipling

17. “The Chronicles of Narnia” series was written by __________.

Answer: C.S. Lewis

18. The author of “Frankenstein” is __________.

Answer: Mary Shelley

19. “The Secret Garden” was written by __________.

Answer: Frances Hodgson Burnett

20. “A Tale of Two Cities” is a famous work by __________.

Answer: Charles Dickens

These fill in the blanks questions will help you practice essential information about famous books and their authors, which are key for competitive exams.

ASSERTION AND REASON ON FAMOUS TEMPLES IN INDIA

Here are some Assertion and Reason questions on Famous Books and Authors for competitive exams:

1. Assertion (A): “To Kill a Mockingbird” was written by Harper Lee.

Reason (R): Harper Lee won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1961 for this book.

a) Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A.

b) Both A and R are correct, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

c) A is correct, but R is incorrect.

d) A is incorrect, but R is correct.

Answer: a) Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A.

2.Assertion (A): “1984” is a dystopian novel written by George Orwell.

Reason (R): George Orwell is known for his other dystopian novel, “Animal Farm”.

a) Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A.

b) Both A and R are correct, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

c) A is correct, but R is incorrect.

d) A is incorrect, but R is correct.

Answer: a) Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A.

3.Assertion (A): “Pride and Prejudice” is one of the best-known works of Jane Austen.

Reason (R): It is a romantic novel that deals with issues of marriage, family, and social class.

a) Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A.

b) Both A and R are correct, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

c) A is correct, but R is incorrect.

d) A is incorrect, but R is correct.

Answer: a) Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A.

4.Assertion (A): “The Alchemist” is written by Paulo Coelho.

Reason (R): The book is known for its themes of dreams, destiny, and personal legend.

a) Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A.

b) Both A and R are correct, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

c) A is correct, but R is incorrect.

d) A is incorrect, but R is correct.

Answer: a) Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A.

5.Assertion (A): “The Catcher in the Rye” was written by J.D. Salinger.

Reason (R): The novel explores the struggles of adolescence, identity, and societal expectations.

a) Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A.

b) Both A and R are correct, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

c) A is correct, but R is incorrect.

d) A is incorrect, but R is correct.

Answer: a) Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A.

6.Assertion (A): “The Great Gatsby” was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Reason (R): The novel explores themes of the American Dream and societal decline.

a) Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A.

b) Both A and R are correct, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

c) A is correct, but R is incorrect.

d) A is incorrect, but R is correct.

Answer: a) Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A.

7.Assertion (A): “One Hundred Years of Solitude” was written by Gabriel García Márquez. Reason (R): The novel is a landmark of the genre of magical realism.

a) Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A.

b) Both A and R are correct, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

c) A is correct, but R is incorrect.

d) A is incorrect, but R is correct.

Answer: a) Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A.

8.Assertion (A): “War and Peace” is a novel by Leo Tolstoy. Reason (R): The novel is set during the Napoleonic Wars and is considered one of the greatest works of world literature.

a) Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A.

b) Both A and R are correct, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

c) A is correct, but R is incorrect.

d) A is incorrect, but R is correct.

Answer: a) Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A.

9.Assertion (A): “The Brothers Karamazov” was written by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

Reason (R): The novel explores themes of faith, doubt, and morality in the context of Russian society.

a) Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A.

b) Both A and R are correct, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

c) A is correct, but R is incorrect.

d) A is incorrect, but R is correct.

Answer: a) Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A.

10.Assertion (A): “The Diary of a Young Girl” was written by Anne Frank.

Reason (R): The diary was written while Anne Frank was in hiding during the Holocaust.

a) Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A.

b) Both A and R are correct, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

c) A is correct, but R is incorrect.

d) A is incorrect, but R is correct.

Answer: a) Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A.

These Assertion and Reason questions are designed to test your knowledge about famous books and their authors, helping you prepare for competitive exams.

MATCH THE FOLLOWING – FAMOUS TEMPLES IN INDIA

Here is a Match the Following exercise on Famous Books and Authors for competitive exams:

Match the following books with their authors:

Book	Author
1. To Kill a Mockingbird	A) George Orwell
2. 1984	B) Jane Austen
3. The Great Gatsby	C) J.D. Salinger
4. Pride and Prejudice	D) F. Scott Fitzgerald
5. The Catcher in the Rye	E) Harper Lee
6. One Hundred Years of Solitude	F) Gabriel García Márquez
7. War and Peace	G) Leo Tolstoy
8. The Alchemist	H) Paulo Coelho
9. The Old Man and the Sea	I) Herman Melville
10. Don Quixote	J) Miguel de Cervantes

Answer Key:

Book	Author
1. To Kill a Mockingbird	E) Harper Lee
2. 1984	A) George Orwell
3. The Great Gatsby	D) F. Scott Fitzgerald
4. Pride and Prejudice	B) Jane Austen
5. The Catcher in the Rye	C) J.D. Salinger
6. One Hundred Years of Solitude	F) Gabriel García Márquez
7. War and Peace	G) Leo Tolstoy
8. The Alchemist	H) Paulo Coelho
9. The Old Man and the Sea	I) Herman Melville
10. Don Quixote	J) Miguel de Cervantes

This Match the Following format helps you test your knowledge of famous books and their authors in a more structured way.

MCQ’s ON FAMOUS TEMPLES IN INDIA

Here are some MCQs on Famous Books and Authors for competitive exams:

1. Who wrote the book “The Catcher in the Rye”?

a) George Orwell

b) J.D. Salinger

c) F. Scott Fitzgerald

d) Mark Twain

Answer: b) J.D. Salinger

2. “Pride and Prejudice” is a famous work by which author?

a) Charlotte Brontë

b) Jane Austen

c) Emily Dickinson

d) George Eliot

Answer: b) Jane Austen

3. Who is the author of the novel “1984”?

a) Aldous Huxley

b) George Orwell

c) John Steinbeck

d) Ray Bradbury

Answer: b) George Orwell

4. “The Alchemist” is written by which author?

a) Gabriel García Márquez

b) Paulo Coelho

c) Haruki Murakami

d) Vikram Seth

Answer: b) Paulo Coelho

5. Who is the author of the book “To Kill a Mockingbird”?

a) F. Scott Fitzgerald

b) Mark Twain

c) Harper Lee

d) John Steinbeck

Answer: c) Harper Lee

6. “Moby-Dick” was written by which author?

a) Herman Melville

b) Ernest Hemingway

c) Leo Tolstoy

d) William Faulkner

Answer: a) Herman Melville

7. Who wrote the novel “One Hundred Years of Solitude”?

a) Mario Vargas Llosa

b) Gabriel García Márquez

c) Pablo Neruda

d) Julio Cortázar

Answer: b) Gabriel García Márquez

8. “War and Peace” is a work by which author?

a) Fyodor Dostoevsky

b) Leo Tolstoy

c) Anton Chekhov

d) Ivan Turgenev

Answer: b) Leo Tolstoy

9. The novel “The Brothers Karamazov” was written by which author?

a) Fyodor Dostoevsky

b) Anton Chekhov

c) Mikhail Bulgakov

d) Lev Tolstoy

Answer: a) Fyodor Dostoevsky

10. Who is the author of “Don Quixote”?

a) Miguel de Cervantes

b) Gabriel García Márquez

c) Victor Hugo

d) William Shakespeare

Answer: a) Miguel de Cervantes

11. Who wrote “The Great Gatsby”?

a) F. Scott Fitzgerald

b) J.D. Salinger

c) Mark Twain

d) John Steinbeck

Answer: a) F. Scott Fitzgerald

12. “The Lord of the Rings” was written by which author?

a) C.S. Lewis

b) J.K. Rowling

c) J.R.R. Tolkien

d) Philip Pullman

Answer: c) J.R.R. Tolkien

13. “The Diary of a Young Girl” is the autobiography of which famous personality?

a) Helen Keller

b) Malala Yousafzai

c) Anne Frank

d) Maya Angelou

Answer: c) Anne Frank

14. Who wrote “Brave New World”?

a) Ray Bradbury

b) Aldous Huxley

c) George Orwell

d) H.G. Wells

Answer: b) Aldous Huxley

15. “The Old Man and the Sea” was written by which author?

a) William Faulkner

b) Ernest Hemingway

c) John Steinbeck

d) Mark Twain

Answer: b) Ernest Hemingway

16. Who is the author of “The Chronicles of Narnia”?

a) C.S. Lewis

b) J.K. Rowling

c) J.R.R. Tolkien

d) Philip Pullman

Answer: a) C.S. Lewis

17. “The Secret Garden” is written by which author?

a) Louisa May Alcott

b) Frances Hodgson Burnett

c) J.K. Rowling

d) E.B. White

Answer: b) Frances Hodgson Burnett

18. Who wrote “Frankenstein”?

a) Bram Stoker

b) Mary Shelley

c) Edgar Allan Poe

d) Mark Twain

Answer: b) Mary Shelley

19. Who is the author of “The Jungle Book”?

a) Kipling

b) H.G. Wells

c) Rudyard Kipling

d) Charles Dickens

Answer: c) Rudyard Kipling

20. “A Tale of Two Cities” was written by which author?

a) Charles Dickens

b) Mark Twain

c) Thomas Hardy

d) William Shakespeare

Answer: a) Charles Dickens

These MCQs will help you test your knowledge of famous books and authors, which are important for competitive exams.