Final answer:
The Kandarya Mahadeva Temple was designed as a Hindu temple, characterized by distinct architectural features such as elaborate carvings, a towering spire, and a sacred inner sanctum for deity worship.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Kandarya Mahadeva Temple was designed as a c) A Hindu temple. This temple is one of the best examples of temples from the medieval period in India, particularly within the tradition of Hinduism. The temple architecture is highly ornate, replete with sculptures and iconography that are characteristic of Hindu temple design. Such temples often feature a shikhara, or main spire, which is symbolic and intended to represent Mount Meru, the abode of the gods in Hindu cosmology.
One clear distinction of Hindu temples such as the Kandarya Mahadeva is the absence of architectural features commonly found in mosques, such as minarets or mihrabs, as well as those found in synagogues and churches, such as altars or pews. Instead, the focal point of a Hindu temple is the inner sanctum, where the deity is housed and worshipped. The Kandarya Mahadeva Temple, with its elaborate carvings, towering spire, and sacred inner chamber, is indicative of Hindu temple architecture designed for offering worship to the deities.