Who got the famous temples of Khajuraho built ?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 3:
The famous Khajuraho Group of Monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was commissioned and constructed by the powerful **Chandela Dynasty**. This Rajput clan ruled the region of Bundelkhand in Central India and built the majority of the temples between 950 AD and 1050 AD, a period that marked the zenith of their power and prosperity. Khajuraho served as their initial capital, and the temples stand as the ultimate expression of their religious devotion and sophisticated art patronage. These architectural marvels are renowned for their intricate sculptures, which reflect the four goals of Hindu life (*Purusharthas*), and represent the pinnacle of North Indian **Nagara-style** temple architecture, with the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple being the largest and most famous example. The Chandela rulers fostered an environment of religious harmony, as the monument site features both Hindu and Jain temples constructed side-by-side.

The incorrect option is 1:
The **Chola Dynasty** (Option 1) and the **Pandya Dynasty** (Option 4) were two of the most significant dynasties in South India, with their primary influence centered in the modern-day Tamil Nadu region. Their architectural contributions are exclusively associated with the **Dravidian style** of temple architecture, which is stylistically and structurally distinct from the *Nagara* style seen at Khajuraho. The Cholas are famous for their massive, pyramid-shaped *vimanas* and elaborate gateways (*gopurams*), such as the Brihadeeswarar Temple. The **Kaktiya Dynasty** (Option 2) was a Deccan dynasty that ruled the Andhra/Telangana region, and their notable works, like the Ramappa Temple, follow a regional Deccan architectural tradition. All three of these dynasties operated in geographically and culturally distinct regions of peninsular India, far removed from the Chandelas' kingdom in Central India.