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Difficulty: HardState Tourism, Art, Fairs, and Architecture

Arrange the following historic temple monuments of Odisha in chronological order of their original construction, from the earliest to the latest:

  1. 1Parasuramesvara Temple, Bhubaneswar
  2. 2Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar
  3. 3Lingaraja Temple, Bhubaneswar
  4. 4Sun Temple, Konark

Answer

The correct chronological order of construction from earliest to latest is: Parasuramesvara Temple, Bhubaneswar (c. 7th century CE) → Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar (c. 10th century CE) → Lingaraja Temple, Bhubaneswar (c. 11th century CE) → Sun Temple, Konark (c. 13th century CE).
The correct sequence tracks the architectural evolution of the Kalinga style in Odisha across successive ruling dynasties: Parasuramesvara Temple (7th century CE, Sailodbhava dynasty) represents the early phase; Mukteshvara Temple (10th century CE, Somavamshi dynasty) represents the transitional phase; Lingaraja Temple (11th century CE, Somavamshi dynasty) represents the mature phase; and the Sun Temple at Konark (13th century CE, Eastern Ganga dynasty) represents the climax.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the construction era of Parasuramesvara Temple.
Built around 650 CE during the Sailodbhava dynasty rule, making it one of the oldest surviving Kalinga-style temples in Odisha.
Establishes the early baseline phase of temple architecture in Bhubaneswar.
2
Determine the construction era of Mukteshvara Temple.
Built around 950–975 CE during the Somavamshi period, often described as the 'gem of Odisha architecture'.
Marks the transitional phase bridging early structures with classic mature Kalinga design.
3
Determine the construction era of Lingaraja Temple.
Built during the 11th century CE (c. 1025–1065 CE) primarily by King Jajati Keshari of the Somavamshi dynasty.
Represents the grand culmination of the Somavamshi phase and full Pancharatha plan.
4
Determine the construction era of Sun Temple at Konark.
Built in the mid-13th century CE (c. 1250 CE) under King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.
Marks the culmination and final monumental scale of Kalinga architecture before decline.

Key Concept

Chronological evolution of Kalinga temple architecture under various ruling dynasties of Odisha
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