The correct option is
1 only
Explanation
The Dravida style of temple architecture emerged in South India and is characterized by distinct features such as the pyramidal tower (Vimana), the entrance gateway (Gopuram), and the presence of boundary walls. This style stands in contrast to the Nagara style prevalent in North India.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: In the Dravida style, the main temple tower located above the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) is known as the Vimana. Unlike the curvilinear tower of the North, the Vimana rises in a geometrical, stepped-pyramid formation consisting of distinct storeys.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: There is a crucial terminological difference between North and South Indian styles. In the Nagara style, the entire tower is called the Shikhara. However, in the Dravida style, the term Shikhara refers specifically to the crowning element (often shaped like an octagon or a dome/cupola) placed at the very top of the Vimana. It does not refer to the main tower itself.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: One of the defining characteristics of the Dravida style is that the temple complex is enclosed within a compound wall. The front wall typically features an entrance gateway known as the Gopuram. In contrast, Nagara style temples are usually not enclosed by elaborate boundary walls or gateways.
Key Takeaway:
In Dravida architecture, the main tower is the Vimana (stepped pyramid), while the Shikhara is only the crowning cupola. Furthermore, Dravida temples are invariably enclosed by compound walls with Gopurams, unlike Nagara temples.