Read the passage and answer the following question:

The tradition of erecting stupas may have been pre-Buddhist, but they came to be associated with Buddhism. Since they contained relics regarded as sacred, the entire stupa came to be venerated as an emblem of both the Buddha and Buddhism... Asoka distributed portions of Buddha's relics to every important town and ordered the construction of stupas over them. By the 2nd century BCE, a number of stupas, including those at Bharhut, Sanchi and Sarnath had been built.

Which of the following structure in a 'stupa' represents abode of the gods?

Harmika

The correct answer is Option (2) → Harmika

The Harmika is a square platform or railing at the top of the stupa. It represents the abode of the gods.

The stupa (a Sanskrit word meaning a heap) originated as a simple semi-circular mound of earth, later called anda. Gradually, it evolved into a more complex structure, balancing round and square shapes. Above the anda was the harmika, a balcony like structure that represented the abode of the gods. Arising from the harmika was a mast called the yashti, often surmounted by a chhatri or umbrella. Around the mound was a railing, separating the sacred space from the secular world.