The
solitary Sun Temple is a masterpiece surrounded
by the drifting sands. The theme of worshipping
the sun god is central to India. The presiding
deity Konarka , kona (corner) and arka (sun) lends
its name to the temple. The Sun Temple has been
designed in the form of a huge chariot carrying
the Sun God across the heavens. The wheels of
the chariot are most awesome of the structure.
The eroticism of the sculptures can be compared
with the temples of Khajuraho. The temple is believed
to have been constructed by Narashimhadev I in
the mid-13th century.
The Chariot Temple - Temple of The Sun
The entire temple complex in Konark was
designed in the form of a huge chariot drawn by
seven spirited horses on twelve pairs of exquisitely
carved wheels. The sanctum symbolises the majestic
stride of the Sun God and marks the culmination
of the Orissan architectural style. There are
two rows of 12 wheels on each side of the Konark
sun temple. Some say the wheels represent the
24 hours in a day and others say the 12 months.
The seven horses are said to symbolize the seven
days of the week. There is a dancing hall here,
an audience hall and a high tower too. Sailors
once called this Sun Temple of Konarak the Black
Pagoda because it was supposed to draw ships into
the shore and cause shipwrecks.
The Vimana of the Deul has collapsed, while that
of Jagamohana and the Nata-Mandapa are better
preserved. The walls of the Sun temple in Konark
contain superb carving of divine, semi-divine,
human and animal figures amidst floral and geometric
ornamentations. The vivacious Kanyas and danseuse
are remarkable for their sensuous modelling, pulsating
with human emotions which are absorbed in a variety
of gestures and rhythmic actions. Such sculptures
render the Orissan temple a class unto themselves.
Mighty Simha-Gajas welcome the visitor at the
porches. visit this interesting Konark sun temple
dedicated to the Sun God. The Sun Temple is belonging
to the medieval period embellished with intricate
carvings both on the inside and outside, located
in the town of Konark, in the Orissa
