Where is the historical Matangeshwar temple situated?

Question

UnlockIAS · Accepted Answer

Correct — C, Khajuraho. The historical Matangeshwar temple stands at Khajuraho, Chhatarpur district, built by the Chandela dynasty. It is dedicated to Shiva and houses a large monolithic lingam, and — unlike most of the other Khajuraho temples, which are protected monuments — it remains in active daily worship.

Why the other options are wrong — (a) Ujjain is home to the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, a different and separately famous Shiva shrine — not the Matangeshwar temple.  (b) Maheshwar, on the Narmada, is known as Rani Ahilyabai Holkar's capital and its riverside temples/ghats — not the site of Matangeshwar.  (d) Vidisha, near Sanchi, is known for the ancient Heliodorus pillar, not the Matangeshwar temple.

Concept: The Matangeshwar temple at Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, is a Shiva temple built by the Chandela dynasty. Unlike most other Khajuraho temples — which are ASI-protected monuments no longer used for worship — Matangeshwar remains an active place of daily worship, housing a large monolithic Shiva lingam.

State PCS 2023 Q97 — Madhya Pradesh GK PYQ with Answer

State PCS 2023 Q97 — Madhya Pradesh GK PYQ with Answer