Parashurameshwar, Mukteshwar, Lingraj and Jagannath temples are in:

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 3: Bhubaneswar, Orissa.

The grouping of Parashurameshwar, Mukteshwar, and Lingaraj Temples points directly to Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Orissa (now Odisha), which is famously known as the "Temple City of India." These three Shiva temples are premier examples of the distinct Kalinga style of architecture, a sub-style of the Nagara school that flourished in this eastern coastal region. While the Jagannath Temple is specifically located in the nearby holy city of Puri, not Bhubaneswar, it is the most famous and spiritually significant temple of the entire state and the Kalinga architectural tradition. Thus, the list collectively refers to the most famous temples within the historical and religious region of Odisha, with Bhubaneswar serving as the central hub for the three older, stylistically related structures.

The incorrect option is 1: Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh.
Khajuraho is renowned for its UNESCO World Heritage site, which features a distinct group of Hindu and Jain temples built under the Chandela dynasty between 950 and 1050 CE. These temples are also of the Nagara style, but their specific sculptural ornamentation and architectural form are unique to Central India. None of the temples listed in the question—Parashurameshwar, Mukteshwar, Lingaraj, or Jagannath—are part of the Khajuraho group, which makes this location geographically and architecturally incorrect for the given list.

The incorrect option is 2: Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.
Mathura is a major pilgrimage site in North India, especially for devotees of Lord Krishna, as it is considered his birthplace. The city is historically famous for the Mathura school of art, which was pivotal in the development of early Buddhist and Hindu iconography, particularly during the Kushana period. However, Mathura's temple architecture is not associated with the Kalinga style of Odisha, and none of the four mentioned temples are located in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

The incorrect option is 4: Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
Jodhpur is a prominent city in the Western Indian state of Rajasthan and is famous for its colossal Mehrangarh Fort and palaces, which showcase the unique Rajput style of architecture. This regional style involves heavy use of red sandstone and is characterized by its fort-palace complexes, standing in stark contrast to the temple-centric architecture of the Kalinga region. Jodhpur is situated a significant distance away from the eastern coast, confirming that it is the wrong location for these historic temples.