Q. Which one of the following was a temple built by the Chola Kings?
(a) Brihadiswara Temple, Tanjavur
(b) Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
(c) Srirangam Temple, Thiruchirapalli
(d) Durga Temple, Aihole
Ans: (a) Brihadiswara Temple, Tanjavur
Explanation: The correct answer is (a) Brihadiswara Temple, Tanjavur.
The Brihadiswara Temple, also known as the Brihadeeswarar Temple or Peruvudaiyar Kovil, was built by the Chola kings. It is located in Thanjavur (Tanjore), Tamil Nadu, India. The temple was constructed during the reign of Rajaraja I (Raja Raja Chola I) in the 11th century CE.
The Brihadiswara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered one of the finest examples of Dravidian architecture. It is renowned for its towering vimana (shrine) that houses the main deity, Lord Shiva. The temple complex also includes various other structures such as mandapams (halls), gopurams (entrance towers), and a large courtyard.
The Meenakshi Temple in Madurai and the Srirangam Temple in Thiruchirapalli are also significant and ancient temples in Tamil Nadu, but they were not specifically built by the Chola kings. The Durga Temple in Aihole is a temple complex in the state of Karnataka and is associated with the Chalukya dynasty, not the Chola dynasty.
Therefore, the correct answer is (a) Brihadiswara Temple, Tanjavur.