Question

Visit a religious building in your neighbourhood. Describe, with sketches, its roof, pillars and arches, if any, corridors, passages, halls, entrance, water supply, etc. Compare these features with those of the Virupaksha temple. Describe what each part of the building is used for. Find out about its history.

Answer 1

I visited a Hindu temple near my home. The temple is a peaceful place where people come to pray and take part in religious activities.

The features of the Temple are:

• The temple has a main entrance, a prayer hall and a small inner room where the idol of the deity is kept. The roof is decorated and supported by pillars. There are passages around the main shrine so that devotees can walk around it.
• There is also a place for drinking water and washing hands and feet. The temple has an open area where people gather during festivals and special prayers.

Comparison with Virupaksha Temple:

Feature	Temple in My Neighbourhood	Virupaksha Temple, Hampi
Size	Small or medium-sized	Very large
Entrance	Simple entrance	Tall and decorated gopuram
Roof	Simple roof	Large and beautifully designed
Pillars	Few simple pillars	Many carved pillars
Main shrine	Contains the idol of the deity	Contains the main shrine of Lord Virupaksha
Corridors	Small passages	Long corridors and passages
Courtyard	Small open area	Large courtyards
Water supply	Tap or water tank	Traditional water arrangements and nearby water sources
Decoration	Simple decoration	Rich carvings and sculptures
Use	Daily prayers and local festivals	Worship, ceremonies and large religious festivals

The temple I visited is an important religious place for the local people. The Virupaksha Temple is an ancient temple at Hampi and was an important religious centre during the Vijayanagara period.