Explanation

– Pair 1 is correctly matched: Pandharpur, the renowned pilgrimage center of the Varkari sect dedicated to Lord Vitthal and Rukmini in Maharashtra, is situated along the banks of the Bhima River, which takes a crescent shape here and is locally called the Chandrabhaga.
– Pair 2 is correctly matched: Tiruchirappalli (Trichy), an ancient citadel of the early Cholas and Nayakas in Tamil Nadu (home to the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple), lies along the banks of the Cauvery River.
– Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: Hampi, the imperial capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, is situated on the southern bank of the Tungabhadra River, not the Malaprabha River (the Malaprabha flows past the Badami, Aihole, and Pattadakal temple complexes).

Therefore, pairs 1 and 2 are correctly matched — Option A.