UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC declines plea against ‘VIP darshan’ in temple

Question 1

Which one of the following bodies is the statutory authority that manages the day-to-day administration of the Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple at Ujjain, whose VIP-darshan practice was recently challenged before the Supreme Court?

Accepted Answer

Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple Management Committee under the Madhya Pradesh Government

Answer

Archaeological Survey of India under the Ministry of Culture

Answer

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of India

Answer

Kashi Vishwanath Special Area Development Board

Question 2

Among the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva, the Mahakaleshwar shrine at Ujjain — at the centre of the recent Supreme Court VIP-darshan plea — is uniquely distinguished by which one of the following features?

Accepted Answer

It is the only Jyotirlinga whose lingam is south-facing (Dakshinamukhi)

Answer

It is the only Jyotirlinga located on the banks of the Ganga

Answer

It is the only Jyotirlinga whose principal deity is a Swayambhu Shakti Peetha

Answer

It is the only Jyotirlinga managed directly by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India

Question 3

The Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple Management Committee, which administers the Ujjain shrine whose VIP-darshan practice the Supreme Court recently declined to interfere with, is constituted under which one of the following enactments?

Accepted Answer

The Madhya Pradesh Shri Mahakaleshwar Mandir Adhiniyam, 1982

Answer

The Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1988

Answer

The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991

Answer

The Charitable Endowments Act, 1890

Question 4

With reference to the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva — of which the Mahakaleshwar temple, recently in news over a Supreme Court ruling on 'VIP darshan', is one — consider the following pairings of Jyotirlinga and State:
1. Somnath — Gujarat
2. Mallikarjuna — Karnataka
3. Mahakaleshwar — Madhya Pradesh
4. Kedarnath — Himachal Pradesh
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

2 and 4 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

1, 3 and 4

Question 5

In the context of the Supreme Court's recent order on VIP access at the Mahakaleshwar temple, the term 'garbhagriha', central to the dispute, refers to which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

The innermost sanctum chamber housing the principal deity of the temple

Answer

The pillared assembly hall in front of the shrine where devotees congregate

Answer

The ornamental gateway tower marking the entrance to the temple complex

Answer

The circumambulatory passage around the main shrine used for pradakshina

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC declines plea against ‘VIP darshan’ in temple

Q1. Which one of the following bodies is the statutory authority that manages the day-to-day administration of the Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple at Ujjain, whose VIP-darshan practice was recently challenged before the Supreme Court?

Q2. Among the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva, the Mahakaleshwar shrine at Ujjain — at the centre of the recent Supreme Court VIP-darshan plea — is uniquely distinguished by which one of the following features?

Q3. The Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple Management Committee, which administers the Ujjain shrine whose VIP-darshan practice the Supreme Court recently declined to interfere with, is constituted under which one of the following enactments?

Q5. In the context of the Supreme Court's recent order on VIP access at the Mahakaleshwar temple, the term 'garbhagriha', central to the dispute, refers to which one of the following?