Answer: Chaitya is a place of worship, while Vihara is the dwelling place of the monks
Notes: The correct answer is [B] Chaitya is a place of worship, while Vihara is the dwelling place of the monks. Buddhist rock-cut architecture, which flourished in India between the 2nd century BC and the 10th century AD, is primarily categorized into these two types of structures based on their functional utility.
- Chaitya (The Prayer Hall): A Chaitya is a Buddhist shrine or prayer hall with a stupa at one end. The word is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Chita', meaning a pyre or mound. Architecturally, a Chaitya is usually rectangular with a rounded (apsidal) rear end and a vaulted roof. It contains a small stupa, which serves as the object of veneration. Famous examples include the Great Chaitya at Karle and the caves at Ajanta and Ellora.
- Vihara (The Monastery): A Vihara is a residential quarter or monastery for the monks (bhikshus). These were designed as dwelling places particularly during the rainy season (Vassa) when monks stopped their travels. A typical Vihara consists of a central square hall surrounded by small individual cells where monks lived and meditated. Unlike the Chaitya, the Vihara's primary purpose was secular/residential, though later Viharas (like those in Ajanta) often included an image of the Buddha in a central sanctum.
- Key Structural Differences:
- Orientation: Chaityas are typically longitudinal with a focal point (stupa), whereas Viharas are more centered around an open courtyard or hall.
- Symbolism: The Chaitya represents the spiritual heart of the complex, while the Vihara represents the communal and private life of the Buddhist Sangha.
