Correct Option (C):
Pair 1 is correctly matched. The depiction of Buddha's Mahaparinirvana, featuring a reclining Buddha surrounded by celestial musicians and sorrowful followers, is a prominent sculpture found in Cave 26 at Ajanta. This panel illustrates the passing of Buddha into nirvana.
Pair 3 is correctly matched. The monumental rock relief known as 'Arjuna's Penance' or 'Descent of Ganga' is located at Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) in Tamil Nadu. This large-scale sculpture, carved on the surface of massive boulders, depicts a mythological narrative, with interpretations varying between Arjuna's asceticism and the descent of the sacred river Ganga to Earth.
Incorrect Options:
Pair 2 is incorrectly matched. While the description of the Varaha Avatar of Vishnu rescuing Goddess Earth from the primordial waters is accurate, the site mentioned, Mount Abu, is incorrect. A significant rock-cut sculpture depicting the Varaha Avatar is found at the Udayagiri Caves in Madhya Pradesh, dating to the early 5th century CE during the Gupta period. Mount Abu is primarily known for its exquisite Dilwara Jain Temples, not for this specific Varaha sculpture.