Which of the following temples has/have a Nagara-style shikhara?
- Malegitti Shivalaya, Badami
- Huchimalligudi Temple, Aihole
- Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh
- Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal
Select the answer using the code given below:
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Nagara shikhara = the curvilinear (rekha-prasada) north-Indian tower. Among the four temples, BOTH the Huchimalligudi Temple at Aihole and the Dashavatara Temple at Deogarh bear Nagara-style shikharas. The Huchimalligudi (late 6th–early 7th century, Early Chalukyan) is in fact the only Aihole temple with a north-Indian rekhanagara shikhara, and it is notable for introducing the shukanasa (vestibule projection) — a distinctive Nagara feature. The Dashavatara Temple at Deogarh (early 6th century, Gupta) is the earliest surviving Nagara shikhara. The Malegitti Shivalaya at Badami and the Virupaksha Temple at Pattadakal are both Dravida (pyramidal vimana) in style. Hence statements 2 and 3 are correct — answer (b). Source: Wikipedia/ASI on Aihole temples; NCERT XI Fine Arts Ch. 6.