Which one of the following is not a feature of North Indian temple architecture?

North Indian temple architecture, known as the Nagara style, is characterized by specific elements such as the Shikhara (a mountain-like spire), the Garbhagriha (the innermost sanctum sanctorum), and the Pradakshina Patha (a circumambulatory path) [t1, t2, t6]. While the Shikhara is the most distinguishable feature of the Nagara style [c1, t6], the Gopura (or Gopuram) is a unique and defining feature of South Indian or Dravidian temple architecture [c2, t8]. Gopurams are towering, elaborate gateways that often dwarf the central shrine's tower, a practice that became prominent during the Chola and Vijayanagar periods [c2, c3]. Unlike South Indian temples, North Indian temples typically lack these elaborate boundary walls and massive gateways [t3, t4]. Therefore, the Gopura is not a feature of North Indian temple architecture.

Sources

1. [1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 7: The Guptas > Rock-cut and Structural Temples > p. 98
2. [2] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > 12.6 Art and Architecture > p. 186
3. [3] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara > 5.2. Gopurams and mandapas > p. 185
4. [4] https://cec.nic.in/webpath/curriculum/Module/FART/Paper26/7/downloads/script.pdf
5. [5] https://ncert.nic.in/textbook/pdf/kefa106.pdf
6. [6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagara_Style