In the Kandariya Mahadeva temple, ______ was the traditional place of worship, where only the king, his retinue and the priests gathered.

Garbhagriha

The correct answer is Option 1- Garbhagriha

The garbhagriha is the main shrine room in a Hindu temple, where the main deity of the temple is enshrined. It is typically a small, windowless room located at the heart of the temple complex. The garbhagriha is the most sacred space in the temple, and only priests and select members of the royal family are allowed to enter.

The other options are:

• Mahamandapa: The mahamandapa is a large hall located in front of the garbhagriha. It is used for public gatherings, such as festivals and religious ceremonies.
• Antarala: The antarala is a vestibule located between the mahamandapa and the garbhagriha. It serves as a transition space between the public and the sacred realms of the temple.
• Amalaka: The amalaka is a stone disk that crowns the shikhara, or spire, of a Hindu temple. It is a symbolic representation of Mount Meru, the sacred mountain that is said to be the axis of the universe.