Konark Sun temple Odisha

The Konark Sun Temple (likewise spelled Konarak) is a thirteenth century Hindu temple dedicated to the sun god. Molded like a goliath chariot, the Temple is known for the stunning stone carvings that cover the whole structure. 

The Konark Sun Temple is the most well known traveler goal in Orissa and has been a World Heritage Site since 1984. It is situated in the town of Konark, which is 35km north of Puri on the bank of the Bay of Bengal. 

 

History of Konark Sun Temple 

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The konark Sun Temple was built around 1250 AD by the East Ganga lord Narasimhadeva. It is thought he manufactured the temple to remember military victories against Muslim intruders. 

 

As per nearby legend, the temple has an incredible air of force that originates from two capable magnets said to have been incorporated with the tower – magnets that permitted the ruler’s position of royalty to float in mid-air. 

 

European sailors cruising off the drift utilized the temple’s tower for route, however named it the Black Pagoda for the successive wrecks that happened along the drift. They ascribed the calamities to the unbelievable magnets’ impact on the tidal example. 

 

Konarak Sun Temple was sacked by the Muslim Yavana armed force in the fifteenth century. The focal statue revered in the temple was pirated away to Puri by ministers, yet the Sun Temple was seriously harmed in the assault. 

 

Nature assumed control over the decimation from that point. Throughout the hundreds of years, the ocean retreated, sand immersed the building and salty breezes dissolved the stone. It stayed covered under an enormous hill of sand until the mid twentieth century, when reclamation started under the British. 

 

English archeologists revealed the lower parts of the temple that had stayed all around protected underneath the sand and reestablished what they could of whatever remains of the vestiges. Trees were planted to shield the temple from the harming winds and a gallery was opened to show whatever model wasn’t left in situ or sent to Delhi, Calcutta and London. 

 

 

 

In 1924, the Earl of Ronaldshay declared the recently uncovered temple to be “a standout amongst the most spectacular structures in India which backs itself high up, a heap of overpowering glory even in its rot.” 

 

What to See at Konark Sun Temple 

 

The Konark Sun Temple appears as a colossal chariot for the sun god Surya, with 12 sets of stone-cut haggles group of seven running stallions (one and only of which survives in place). 

 

The temple likewise symbolizes the progression of time, which is under the sun god’s control. The seven stallions, which pull the sun temple eastwards towards the first light, speak to the times of the week. The 12 sets of wheels speak to the 12 months of the year and the eight spokes in every wheel symbolize the eight perfect phases of a lady’s day. 

 

The primary access to the complex is on the eastern (ocean confronting) side, before the Hall of Offerings (bhogamandapa). This was a later expansion to the complex and was likely utilized for custom move exhibitions, as its dividers are cut with figures of artists and artists and in addition sexual scenes. 

 

The haven tower was at one time the centerpiece of the Konark Sun Temple, yet today it is close to a scatter of sandstone pieces off the western wing. The forcing structure with the pyramidal rooftop that now becomes the dominant focal point is really the yard (jagamohana). 

 

The top of the patio has three levels secured in statues, generally artists and artists sereneding the sun god amid his day by day entry through the sky. Forms on the base stage incorporate a Shiva Nataraja, playing out the enormous move. The inside is currently obstructed. 

 

Just past the yard is a twofold staircase that prompts a holy place containing a statue of Surya, the sun god. The delightful picture is cut of great green chlorite stone and is one of the perfect works of art of Konarak. Surya wears tall riding boots and is joined by a little figure of Aruna, the charioteer, at his feet. From here you can descend into the remaining parts of the internal sanctum, where the divinity was initially revered. 

 

 

 

The surfaces of the temple are cut with flawless stone figures with a wide assortment of subjects, including numerous sensual scenes in light of the Kama Sutra. Suggestive models are discovered particularly in specialties most of the way up the patio, at the edges of the stage and around the entryways of the principle building. 

 

Comparative models can be found on the temples of Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh. The suggestive craftsmanship in all probability symbolizes the delighted joy appreciated by the spirit when it joins with the perfect, yet there are various hypotheses on the matter. 

 

Different models beautifying the konark sun temple outside incorporate gods, creatures, flower designs, attractive ladies, legendary mammoths and amphibian beasts. The 24 mammoth wheels are flawlessly cut and each of the eight spokes bears an emblem containing allegorical carvings. 

 

Friezes above and underneath the wheels portray military parades and chasing scenes, with a huge number of rampaging elephants. Search for the giraffe in the top frieze along the south side of the stage – this demonstrates Konarak exchanged with Africa in the thirteenth century. 

 

 

How to Reach Konark Sun Temple odisha ?

 

There are consistent transports and Jeeps to Konark from Puri, which is 33 km down the drift. The trip takes around a hour and the last transport back to Puri leaves at 6:30pm. 

 

Then again, you can take an auto-rickshaw for Rs 250-300 round outing, including holding up time. 

 

Official guided visits leave from the Panthaniwas in Bhubaneswar (Tues-Sun 6:30-6:30, Rs130) furthermore visit Dhauli.