Question Discussion & Solution

The correct answer is the author of a commentary on Panini's San grammar.

Key Points

• Patanjali
  • He was an ancient sage of India.
  • He has authored several Sanskrit works.
  • The greatest of these are the Yoga Sutras, a classical yoga text.
  • He has also authored a commentary on Panini’s Sanskrit grammar. Hence, Option 4 is correct.
  • Patanjali was a great compiler who used all the concepts and practices related to spirituality/spiritual practice available to him and presented the Yogasutra.

Additional Information

• • Thus he was the founder of ‘Systematic Yoga’.
  • He was also called the founder and father of modern Yoga.
  • The author of the Mahabhasaya, an ancient treatise on Sanskrit grammar and linguistics, is based on the Ashtdhayi of Panini.
  • This Patañjali's life is dated to mid 2nd century BCE by both Western and Indian scholars.
  • This text was titled as a bhasya or commentary on Kātyāyana-Pāṇini's work by Patanjali but is so revered in the Indian traditions that it is widely known simply as Maha-Bhasaya or Great commentary.

The correct answer is Ellora Caves.

Key Points

• Ellora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra.
• It is located nearly 100 km away from Ajanta caves in the Sahyadri range of Maharashtra.
• The temples and monasteries extending over more than 2 km, were dug side by side in the wall of a high basalt cliff.
• The structures were excavated out of the vertical face of the Charanandri hills.
• Ellora Caves are one of the largest rock-cut Hindu temple cave complexes in the world.
• Ellora caves are a group of 100 caves at the site of which 34 caves are open to the public.
  • 17 caves out of these 34 are themed around Hinduism, 12 caves depict the themes of Buddhist, and 5 caves are of Jain faith.
• The set of caves in Ellora were developed during the period between the 5th century and 11th century A.D.
• The most remarkable of the Ellora cave temples is Kailasa Temple (Kailasanatha; cave 16).
• It features the largest single monolithic rock excavation in the world.
• It is named for the mountain in the Kailasa Range of the Himalayas where the Hindu god Shiva resides.

The correct answer is Bihar.

• Mithila painting (also known as Madhubani Painting) originated in a small village, known as Maithili, in the Bihar state of India.

Key Points

• Themes of the Maithili painting revolve around Hindu deities like Krishna, Rama, Lakshmi, Shiva, Durga, and Saraswati.
  • The natural themes that are used include the Sun, the Moon, and religious plants like tulsi.
• The painting was traditionally done by womenfolk on freshly plastered mud walls and floors of huts, but now they are also done on cloth, handmade paper, and canvas.
• One can also find paintings based on scenes from the royal courts and social events, like weddings.
  • If any empty space is left after painting the main theme, it is filled up with the motifs of flowers, animals, and birds or geometric designs.
• Mithila painting, as a domestic ritual activity, was unknown to the outside world until the massive India-Nepal border earthquake of 1934 when the houses and walls tumbled down.
  • Then British colonial officer in Madhubani District, William G. Archer, while inspecting the damage 'discovered' the paintings on the newly exposed interior walls of Mithila homes. 

Key Points

Ajanta Caves-

• The Ajanta Caves are a series of 29 Buddhist cave temples in Ajanta, India, some of which date from the 2nd century BC. Encompassing both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist traditions, the Ajanta caves preserve some of the best masterpieces of Buddhist art in India.
• Out of 29, 25 caves were used as Viharas or residential caves while 4 were used as Chaitya or prayer hills.
• It is said that Buddhist monks lived, studied and prayed in Ajanta caves for a long time.
• The Ajanta Caves were carved in the 2nd century BC out of a horseshoe-shaped cliff along the Waghora River.
• The caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983.

Ellora caves- 

• The Ellora caves, locally known as 'Verul Leni' is located on the Aurangabad - Chalisgaon road at a distance of 30 km north - northwest of Aurangabad, in the Indian state of Maharashtra.
• Ellora is one of the largest rock-cut monastery - temple caves complexes in the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The cave temples and monasteries at Ellora, excavated out of the vertical face of an escarpment, are 26 km north of Aurangabad.
• Sculptors, inspired by Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism, created elaborate rock carvings. Extending in a linear arrangement, the 34 caves contain Buddhist Chaityas or halls of worship, Viharas or monasteries and Hindu and Jain temples.
• Spanning a period of about 600 years between the 5th and 11th century A.D., the earliest excavation here is of the Dhumar Lena (Cave 29).
• The Kailasha temple features the largest single monolithic rock excavation in the world.
• During the regime of the Rashtrakuta were the famous Ellora caves of Maharashtra built.

Extra facts:

• Madhya Pradesh- Bagh Caves
• Maharashtra - Ajanta Caves, Bhaja Caves, Elephanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Kanheri Caves
• Karnataka- Badami Caves
• Bihar - Barabar Caves
• Madhya Pradesh- Udaygiri Caves
• Andhra Pradesh - Borra Caves
• Tamilnadu - Varah Caves

The correct option is Odisha.

Key Points

• Konark Festival
  • It is also known as the Konark Dance Festival 
  • It is held in the backdrop of the famous UNESCO site of Konark Sun Temple, Odisha in the month of December.
  • Many dance performers across the nation come here to participate.
  • Sand-art festival also happens at this time at Chandrabagha beach.

Additional Information

• Hampi festival or Vijay Festival (named after Vijaynagar empire) is held in the backdrop of Virupaksha temple, Hampi, Karnataka.
• Ellora festival is a dance festival held in the backdrop of Ajanta & Ellora caves in Maharashtra.
• Rajgir Festival is a dance festival held in Rajgir, Bihar.

Important Points

• These dance festivals help in maintaining the rich & diversified culture and also support tourism, local haats(markets).