Where is the sculpture 'The descent of the Ganges' located?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 2:
The correct option is **2: Mahabalipuram**. The colossal open-air rock relief, often called 'The Descent of the Ganges' or 'Arjuna's Penance,' is located in Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram), Tamil Nadu. It is an exceptional work of art from the Pallava dynasty, dating back to the 7th century. The carving uses a natural fissure in the rock face to brilliantly symbolize the great river Ganges descending to earth, surrounded by a complex narrative involving hundreds of figures, including deities, ascetics, animals, and the central figures of Bhagiratha or Arjuna performing penance. Its artistic merit and sheer scale make it a UNESCO World Heritage site and a highlight of Indian rock-cut sculpture.

The incorrect option is 1:
The incorrect option is **1: Ranakpur**. Ranakpur is renowned for its Chaturmukha Jain Temple, built in the 15th century in Rajasthan, in the North Indian architectural style. This structural marble temple is celebrated for its sheer size and its 1,444 intricately carved columns, each distinct from the others. However, Ranakpur's art, architecture, time period, and religious context are entirely different from the 7th-century Pallava rock-cut relief at Mahabalipuram in South India.

The incorrect option is 3:
The incorrect option is **3: Osian**. Osian is an ancient temple town in the Jodhpur district of Rajasthan. It is known for its cluster of beautiful Hindu and Jain temples built in the Pratihara style between the 8th and 11th centuries CE. While it hosts significant examples of North Indian temple architecture and sculpture, the art and geographical location are distinctly separate from the great Pallava relief of the Ganges' descent, which belongs to a distinct South Indian tradition.

The incorrect option is 4:
The incorrect option is **4: Badoli**. Badoli (or Baroli), located in Rajasthan, features a complex of beautifully carved Hindu temples from the 10th century, primarily dedicated to Shiva. These temples are a major example of the Gurjara-Pratihara style, known for its refined stone carvings. Geographically and stylistically, these North Indian structural temples and their associated sculpture are separate from the monumental Pallava rock-cut relief at Mahabalipuram.