The Konark Sun Temple is a 13th century CE Hindu sun temple at Konark about 22 miles or 35 kilometers northeast of Puri city on the coastline in Puri District, Odisha. The temple is attributed to King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty in about 1250 CE. This sun temple is dedicated to the Hindu Sun god Surya and the remains of the temple complex have the appearance of a 100-foot or 30-meter-high chariot with immense wheels and horses, all carved from stones.
Currently, the Konark Sun Temple is in ruins above 200 feet high (around 61 meters). The cause of the destruction of the Konark temple is unclear and still remains a source of controversy. This temple was called “Black Pagoda” by the European sailor accounts as early as 1676 because it looked like a great tiered tower that appeared black.
In the same way, Jagannath Temple in Puri was called a “White Pagoda”. The temple existing today was partially restored by the conservation efforts of British India-era archeological teams. This Konark temple was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 and remains a major pilgrimage site for Hindus.
History and Construction of the Konark Sun Temple –
To know about Konark Sun Temple, one must know who built it and what is its history. Konark, also called Kainapara in Indian texts was a significant trading port in the early centuries of the Common Era. The current temple dates to the 13th century, though the evidence suggests that a sun temple was built in the Konark area by at least the 9th century.
Several Puranas mention Surya worship centers in Mundira, which may have been the earlier name for Konark, Kalapriya (Mathura), and Multan (now in Pakistan). According to the Madala Panji, there was another temple in the region once which was built by Pundara Kesari. He may have been Paranjaya, the 7th-century ruler of the Somavamshi dynasty.
The konark sun temple built by Shiva Samantaraya Mahapatra was sponsored by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. It is one of the few Hindu temples whose planning and construction records were written in Sanskrit in the Odia script. They have been preserved in the form of palm leaf manuscripts that were discovered in a village in the 1960s and subsequently translated.
Architecture and Design of the Konark Sun Temple –
The sun temple konark odisha is dedicated to Sun God, also known as Surya. However, surprisingly, sun temples are not as popular as other temples in India even if they have great cultural and religious significance. Such temples are the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha, Modhera Sun Temple in Gujarat, and Martand Sun Temple in Kashmir. The sun temple konark architecture is one of its own kind and stands apart from all for sure.
The Konark Sun Temple is built in the Kalinga architectural style, designated as a colossal chariot drawn by 7 horses and 24 intricately carved wheels. This temple also features elaborate stone carvings depicting scenes from Hindu mythology. The first rays of the sun falling on the temple’s main entrance are undoubtedly amazing to watch. Also, the iconic konark sun temple wheel works as a sundial telling the exact time.
Key Features of the Konark Sun Temple –
The konark sun temple photos, especially old photos reveal the magnificent ancient glory it radiates. Its design is not just random but every carving has a very important meaning and history. The konark sun temple floating idol is the mythical idol of the Sun God that once floated due to magnetic forces.
The deities can see the marvel of the inside konark sun temple with a number of stunning designs which indicate the culture of Hinduism and science of ancient times. This ultimately stuns the modern intellectuals. Some notable design details of the Konark Sun Temple include:
- Symbolism –
The chariot of the Konark Sun Temple contains 12 pairs of wheels, each 12 feet in diameter, representing the 12 months of the Hindu calendar. Also, the 8 spokes of the wheel represent the 8 intervals of the day, and the 7 horses represent the days of the week.
- Sculptures –
In addition to the temple’s giant chariot with 24 wheels and 7 horses, the walls of the temple feature sculptures and reliefs. The pieces include the 11-foot-tall depiction of Surya, multiple statues of King Narasimhadeva I, and relief statues depicting domestic life, as well as erotic sculptures. There also exist life-sized depictions of lions, elephants, and horses.
- Sunlight –
The temple faces the east direction, so the first rays of the sunlight hit the main entrance of the temple. Then, the wheels of the chariot are also sundials and can be used to calculate the time.
- Materials –
The sun temple is comprised of 3 types of stones. These stones are Chlorite, Khondalite, and Laterite.
Konark Sun Temple: Visitor Information –
The Konark Sun Temple is not only a wondrous UNESCO World Heritage Site, but also one of the most grand and best-known sun temples in India. It sees nearly 2.5 million people visiting every year. Those who read or learn about konark sun temple surely put it on the top of their bucket list.
Booking konark sun temple tickets is very cheap and easily affordable for common people too. The tickets are actually the entry fee which is between Rs. 35-40 and for foreigners, it is around Rs. 550-600. For the children below the age of 15 years, the entry is completely free. The timings of the visit are also fixed which are between 6 am to 8 pm for devotees. Tickets to visit the temple can be bought both online via a website and through offline mode.
Devotees can reach Konark from Puri, which is the nearest big city in Odisha. The distance from Puri to Konark Sun Temple is just 35 kilometers and visitors can get there through buses or auto-rickshaws. For air travelers, the nearest airport from Konark Sun Temple is Bhubaneshwar.
Konark Sun Temple: Nearby Facilities and Accommodations –
For the tourists who want to stay for a while, there are good hotels near konark sun temple to stay as well as good restaurants to dine at. The inside hotels are a bit costly than the hotels on the outskirts of Konark.
Tourists can choose any option between budget-friendly and luxury hotels based on their requirements. Some of the best hotels near the temple are Lotus Eco Resort, OTDC Yatrinivas, Sun Temple Hotel, Sand Castle, and Hotel Surya Inn. Tourists can also visit nearby places like the Konark Museum/Archeological Museum, Konark Urban Haat, Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary, Ramchandi Temple, and Astaranga Beach.
Highlights of Konark Sun Temple for Tourists –
Konark Sun Temple is the best example of architecture which existed for thousands of years in India. Hindu culture has a strong and listed history of development for a very long time now. The concepts and science were clear in their mind and there exists proof of it in the Puranas too.
The konark sun temple images on the upper levels and terrace include musicians and historical narratives as well as sculptures of Hindu deities. These deities also include Durga in her Mahishsurmardini aspect killing the shape-shifting buffalo demon (Shaktism), Vishnu in his Jagannath (Vaishnavism), and Shiva as a Linga (Shaivism).
The Hindu deities are also depicted in other parts of the temple. For example, medallions of the chariot wheels of the Surya temple, as well as the anuratha artwork of the Jagamohana which shows Vishnu, Shiva, Gajalakshmi, Parvati, Krishna, Narasimha, and other divinities.
Frequently Asked Questions –
1.What is the significance of Konark Sun Temple?
The Konark Sun Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is known for its architecture, stone carvings, and astronomical significance as well.
2. What is the location of Konark Sun Temple?
The Konark Sun Temple is located in Konark, in the state of Odisha, India.
3. How can one get to the Konark Sun Temple?
To get to the Konark Sun Temple, you can take a shuttle bus, taxi, or even an auto-rickshaw. These transports can be taken from Puri directly to Konark.
4. When was the Konark Sun Temple built?
The Konark Sun Temple was built in the 13th century by King Narasimha deva I. This king was from the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.
5. Is there a dress code for visiting the Konark Sun Temple?
There is no specific dress code to visit the Konark Sun Temple. However, previous visitors have recommended that they should cover their upper arms and legs so that their skin can be protected from getting hurt.
Conclusion –
Konark Sun Temple is one of the best Surya temples in India and is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple draws big attention of not only Indian but also foreign tourists who want to explore the marvel of architecture and culture. It is not about just visiting and seeing the temple but more importantly, it is about understanding the display of information & messages given to the ancestors.
Such marvels are plenty in India and they only prove that India, for a thousand years ago now has been a progressive country backed by a scientific viewpoint. It should be explored by most people and must be known by the world that India is a symbol of rich heritage. These architectures like the Konark Sun Temple show the rich heritage of the country and its rich culture.
