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UPSC 2013: Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called Chaityas, while the others are called Viharas. What is the difference between the two?
(a)Vihara is a place of worship, while Chaitya is the dwelling place of the monks
(b)Chaitya is a place of worship, while Vihara is the dwelling place of the monks
(c)Chaitya is the stupa at the far end of the cave, while Vihara is the hall axial to it
(d)There is no material difference between the two
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Not attemptedCorrect Answer: (b) Chaitya is a place of worship, while Vihara is the dwelling place of the monks
In Buddhist rock-cut architecture a Chaitya (chaitya-gṛha) is a barrel-roofed prayer hall that enshrines a stupa and is used for congregational worship, whereas a Vihara is the residential monastery where monks live and study. Therefore option (b) correctly distinguishes the two; the other options reverse or blur their functions. ([vaia.com](https://www.vaia.com/en-us/explanations/architecture/architectural-styles/buddhist-architecture/?utm_source=openai))
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What is the correct answer to this UPSC 2013 Art & Culture question?▼
The correct answer is option (b): Chaitya is a place of worship, while Vihara is the dwelling place of the monks. Watch the detailed video explanation in our Sherlocking Prelims course on UnlockIAS.
Which year was this Architecture & World Heritage question asked in UPSC Prelims?▼
This question was asked in UPSC CSE Prelims 2013, GS Paper 1, as Question 36. It falls under Art & Culture > Architecture & World Heritage.
What is the difficulty level of this UPSC question?▼
This question is rated "easy". It tests basic recall and most well-prepared aspirants should answer it correctly.
How many UPSC Prelims questions have been asked from Architecture & World Heritage?▼
UPSC has asked 36 questions from Architecture & World Heritage (under Art & Culture) across multiple years. Visit the topic page to see the full list and year-wise trends.