Secret of Konark Sun Temple - Speck View

Konark Sun Temple

Konark is a small town in Puri district of Odisha in India. It is the seat of world’s famous Sun Temple otherwise popularly known as Black Pagoda. The name of the place Konark is derived from two Sanskrit words ‘Kona’ and ‘Arka’. Kona means corner and Arka means The Sun. So, the place is the Corner of the Sun God.

Sun Temple Konark | SpeckView.com

Location:-

This world famous Sun temple at Konark is located 35 km north-east of Puri, the abode of Lord Jagannath and 60 km south-east of the capital city of Odisha Bhubaneswar  the abode of Lord Lingaraj. It is situated on the coast line of Bay of Bengal in Odisha (India). There is regular transport service from Bhubaneswar and Puri for the pilgrims and visitors. From early period till the present time, it has remained an attractive place for tourists and pilgrims around the world.

History:-

This Sun Temple at Konark was built during the regime of king Narasingh Dev 1 of Ganga Dynasty during the middle of 13^th Century AD. The construction work of the Konark temple was carried on by 1200 trained artisans spreading over a period of twelve years (1243-1255). The artisans were not allowed to return home before completion of the temple for which the artisans toiled hard to complete the Konark temple which took them twelve years.

Description of the Temple:-

The temple was built from stone in the form of a huge chariot dedicated to Sun God Surya facing the east. The chariots have twelve pairs of wheels corresponding to twelve months in the Hindu calendar year. It has twenty four exquisitely carved stone wheels which are nearly 12 feet (3.7 meter) in diameter and are pulled by seven spirited galloping horses. The temple was set on a square plan.

But now the main temple no longer exist which was situated on a high terrace. The temple complex included the main temple, in-front of it Jagamohan or small sanctum. The main temple and Jagamohan are of different size and design having different decorative themes on it. At present the main temple is now without a roof. Nata-mandira is in the east of the main temple on a high platform. Previously there was an Arun Stamba between the main temple and Nata-mandira which has long since been removed to the front of Jagannath temple at Puri.

Sun Temple Konark | Speckview.com

The original temple had the main sanctum sanctorum roughly 229 feet (70 meter) tall. It fell in 1837. The main audience hall Jaga-mohan which is 128 feet (39 meter) tall stands now. It is the only principal structure of surviving ruins. Other structures that have survived now are dancing hall (Nata-mandap) and the dining hall (Bhog-mandap).

Three types of stones were used for the construction of this huge temple. Chlorite for door lintel and frames, late rite for the core of the platform and staircase, khondelite for other parts of the temple.   

Sculpture:-

The temple walls are ornamented with jewelry quality carvings following traditional Kalinga Style of art and architecture. The terrace contains stone statues of males and female musicians. Other work of art includes sculpture of hindu deities, culture of people, various animals and birds portages of kings receiving counsel from gurus. That apart the temple has erotic sculptures.

The entrance of the temple is guarded by two huge lions each killing a war elephant and beneath the elephant is a man. The lions represent pride, elephant represent wealth and both of them consume man.

There existed three images of the Sun God at three different sides of the temple. They were positioned in such a way to catch the ray of the Sun in the morning, noon and in the evening.

 A heavy magnet weighting 52 tons was placed at the temple top. Every two stones of the temple were so sandwitched by iron plates that the Sun idol was floating in the air in the main temple. As the magnet disturbed compasses for coastal voyagers, it was removed later by the Portuguese sailors which seems a reason for destruction of the main structure of the temple.

Initially the temple was built on the sea bank but now the sea has receded and the temple is little away from the beach. This temple was known as Black Pogoda due to its dark color and it was used as a navigational land mark by the ancient sailors to Odisha.

As the temple is oriented toward the east, the first ray of the Sun rise used to strike the main entrance up to a diamond placed at the center of the idol floating in the air in the main temple. The magnets were fixed inside the main temple around the floating sun idol in such a way that it  balanced the Sun idol enabling it to receive the first ray of the rising Sun. The main temple is now dilapidated and the idol is no more.

The reason of destruction of the temple is unclear. When some opine it as natural damage for saline effect of the sea, other says it to be the result of destruction by Muslim rulers between 15^th to 17^th Century.

However despite destruction of the main temple it has attracted huge numbers of visitors around the World over years for its intricate art work on stone.

It has been declared a UNESCO world heritage site in the year 1984 for its great architectural and historical significance. Long since it has remained a tourist attraction site.