Final answer:
A Chaitya is a Buddhist shrine in India, typically carved from rock, serving as a hall for congregational worship with a Stupa at one end.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Buddhist shrine in India, usually carved out of solid rock on a hillside and having the form of an aisled basilica with a Stupa at one end, is known as a Chaitya. This term is used to describe the prayer hall that houses a stupa, an architectural term that holds great significance in Buddhist religious structures. Unlike the Vihara, which is a term used for a Buddhist monastery or a dwelling place typically for monks, the Chaitya is meant for congregational worship. Interestingly, these ancient rock-cut halls are found in locations such as the famous Ajanta caves, which testify to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the period. The Stupa is the hemispherical structure typically found within the Chaitya, which serves as a sacred place of meditation and a monument to the Buddha. It should not be confused with the Gopuram, which is a monumental tower, usually ornate, at the entrance of a temple, especially in Southern India.