Konark sun temple is located near Puri in Odisha. It is about 35 km from Puri city and every year around 2.5 million visitors come here to witness this historic site. The temple has a rich history that signifies the fabulous architecture and it’s like a presentation of development and knowledge in ancient times. The scientific study shows that every part of the temple is made according to the laws of the universe. It is a great architectural marvel and declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984.
Here we will give you an overview of History of Konark Sun temple, Rituals and festivals celebrated throughout the year, the best time to visit Konark, Places to explore nearby and some crucial travel tips.
The Architectural Brilliance of Konark Sun Temple and its UNESCO Status:
Konark Sun templeThe Complete guide to Temple Tourism in India: History, Travel and Spirituality was built in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva- I of the Ganga Dynasty. The temple is in the form of a massive chariot and is dedicated to Sun God, Suryadeva. The temple represents one of the most amazing architectural wonders, and well-constructed with a scientific and geological base. The temple is built on a plinth and has a tall structure. Konark sun temple visit unfolds the great history of the construction and culture of the great Hindu mythology.
Dedicated to Surya, the temple has 12 wheels on each side and the seven horses that are drawing the chariot. The seven horses represent the seven meters namely Gayatri, Brihati, Ushnih, Jagati, Trishtubh, Anustubh, and Pankti. The two female goddesses, Usha and Pratyusha are shown shooting arrows, a symbol of challenging the darkness. The 12 pairs of wheels of the chariot represent the 12 months of the Hindu calendar year and each month is paired into two cycles Shukla and Krishna.
The 24 wheels are made of carved stones and are about 12 feet in diameter set to pull by seven horses. During the dawn and sunrise, the temple appears to be emerging from the deep blue sea carrying the sun. The Konark sun temple is made of three types of stones, Chlorite is used for door intel, frames, and some sculptures. Laterite is used for the core of the platform and staircases near the platform.
The Khondalite is used for other parts of the temple, which could have been the reason for the fast erosion of the temple when it was destroyed by the invaders. The most important thing is, that neither of these stones occur near this region, so it is clear that these stones were procured from other places and brought to the location. Konark temple Odisha is filled with many X factors concerning its material of construction.
Currently, the original temple does not exist due to erosion and wearing out. Most of the temple is in very bad shape. The original temple had a sanctum sanctorum approximately 229 feet tall which fell in 1837. The main mandapa (Jagamohana) which is 128 feet tall is still there and is the only surviving of the ruins of the temple. Also surviving parts today are the dance hall (nat mandapa) and the dining hall (bhoja mandapa). By the ruins, one can imagine how beautiful this temple would have been then, which is built in Kalinga style design.
How to Reach Konark Sun Temple: Travel Routes, Tips, and Best Time to Visit?
Konark sun temple is very well connected by road, train, or air. Puri bus stand and Puri railway station are the nearest locations for those traveling by train. For air travelers, the nearest airport is Bhubaneswar Airport. Puri is just 35 km away from Konark sun temple and the airport is over 100 km away.
The Konark sun temple visit is the most memorable moment. Konark is the best place to visit during the winter season as the temperatures are low and the atmosphere is refreshing. But to witness the vibe of culture and tradition of the place, December is the best time. Tourists can witness the famous dance festival and International Sand Festival, both of which are the most memorable events. This is a clear overview of India’s diverse dance heritage and some of the most amazing sand sculptures produced by skillful artists. They represent the rich Konark sun temple history.
Visitors can enjoy the temple all day and witness the light show in the evening. It is very easy to reach the temple from Puri, Odisha, with many transport facilities, such as shared or private taxis, available to cover the 35 km distance from Puri.
Rituals, Festivals, and Celebrations at Konark Sun Temple:
Konark sun temple follows some of the rituals. The Konark Dance Festival is conducted every year and lasts for five days in the month of December, from the 1st to the 5th of December. Here artists from different states come and showcase different forms of classical dance. Odissi is one of the most popular dance types in India. From 1986 onwards, this dance festival is jointly organized by Odisha Tourism and Odissi Research Center. Through this, the diverse dance culture of India is being promoted along with the Konark temple and Odisha as a tourist destination.
During the same period, the International Sand Festival is also celebrated. In this festival, you will see the sand sculptures produced by skilled sand artists. The sand sculptures presented by these unknown artists. The amazing thing about the Konark festival is that the artists are known to produce gems of sculptures from stone, bronze, and wood too.
The artists comprise 10 foreign artists along with 30 Indian artists. The 10 artists from overseas belong to countries like Singapore, Norway, Sweden, the US, Spain, Mexico, Netherlands, and France. These overseas artists along with Indian artists set Chandrabhaga Beach ablaze with their stupendous art. This festival started in 2015 on Chandrabhaga Beach as a part of the Konark Dance Festival and is one of the biggest dance and art festivals in Odisha.
The Legends and Symbolism Behind Konark Sun Temple’s Construction:
Konark temple’s walls from the base show the elements of ornaments with reliefs with jewelry-style miniature details. On the terrace, there is a stone statue of males and females with various types of musical instruments carried by them like veena, gini, madrala, and others. Other major sculptures include the art of Hindu deities, apsara, and other routine daily work activities carried out by people during that period.
The sculptures include the erotic substance, maithuna. It shows the couples in different kinds of poses as described in kamasutra. It is the reflection of the part of intimacy and courtship performed by the couples back then. Overall, a very progressive representation in such ancient times as we can also know from some other temples across the country.
Best Photography Spots at Konark Sun Temple: A Photographer’s Guide:
Visiting the Konark temple in Odisha is a boon for the photographers. It gives an opportunity to capture with creativity, and cover the unique architectural marvel and intrinsic carvings of the temple. The temple is open for visit from 6 am to 8 pm and the Archaeological Museum near the temple is open from 10 am to 5 pm. The entry fees are nominal .
Coming to photography opportunities, there are several spots where photographers can capture the best of the temple. Within the temple, its carvings and structure are the most amazing to watch and capture in the camera. The two lions crushing elephants at the gate is an interesting capture of the temple.
On the parts of the temple, mythology, love, music, and daily life are the important images that will give any photographer a great time with the camera. A small ‘Navagraha temple’ in the complex is also an example of the intrinsic carving marvel. The light show in the evening is great to capture.
Apart from the temple attraction, the photographers can also have a look at Chandrabhaga Beach, ASI Museum, Astaranga Beach, and Ramchandi Beach.
FAQs:
Where is the Konark sun temple located?
The Konark sun temple is located at Konark, 35 km from Puri, Odisha state, India.
How to reach Konark sun temple?
The visitors can avail the road, rail, or air transport to reach Konark sun temple. By road and train, visitors have the Puri station and the nearest airport is at Bhubaneshwar.
What is the significance of the Konark sun temple?
The Konark sun temple is dedicated to God Surya and it is one of the architectural marvels, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Conclusion:
If one wants to know about Indian architectural and cultural history, Konark sun temple is the place. It is not only a temple but its construction and concept give a clear indication of rich, ancient Indian mythology. Konark sun temple was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 and is a world-famous temple for devotees and students of architecture. It represents the art and cultural richness of India as one of the epitomes. The design of the temple is accurately articulated based on the time zone and one can read the time having the proper knowledge of the temple design. It is similar to many other wonders in India and is highly rated as the most visited temple.
