Did You Know The History of Konark Temple?
Visiting Orissa is incomplete without visiting the Konark Sun Temple which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. Interestingly, the back side of the Rs. 10 denomination note has an image of the Konark Sun Temple, located 35km away from Puri. Let’s know the history connected to this beautiful place at Orissa. The Golden Triangle of Odisha, which includes Konark, Puri, and Bhubaneshwar, is a famous pilgrimage path for Hindus in the state of Orissa.
Konark Temple was initially built near the mouth of the river Chandrabhaga, which has since retreated. Konark Sun Temple exemplifies the Kalinga Architectural Style. The name “Konark” is derived from two Sanskrit words: kona, which means corner, and arka, meaning sun. The town’s name comes from its geographical position, which makes it appear like the sun rises at an angle.
Historical Legacy
Konark Sun Temple and sun worship date back to the 19th BC. However, the Konark Sun Temple was erected in the 13th century. From the 5th century AD until the 15th century AD, the Eastern Ganga Dynasty dominated the Kalinga area, which included most of modern-day Odisha as well as sections of Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal. It was one of India’s most powerful empires, giving rise to magnificent temples such as Konark Sun Temple and Puri Jagannath Temple.
King Narasimha Deva I erected the Konark Temple in 1244 to honor Surya, the Sun God. Konark was chosen as the building site because it is identified as Surya’s sacred seat in different ancient sources.
Many Hindu texts identify Konark as an important spot to worship the sun. One account claims that Konark was the site of the earliest Sun temple. The Samba Purana, an ancient scripture dedicated to Surya, recounts the history of Samba, Lord Krishna’s son, who erected the temple to honor the sun. Samba is thought to have founded the practice of sun worship. According to mythology, Samba erected a sun temple in the 19th century BC after his 12-year adoration of the Sun in Maitrivanam. This worship healed him of the leprosy that he was suffering from.
Konark Temple- Architecture
The inside of the Konark Temple is as wonderful and majestic as it is intended to be. Its architecture incorporates all of the distinguishing features of Kalinga architecture, including Shikhara (crown), Jagmohan (audience hall), Natmandir (dancing hall), and Vimana. According to some traditions, the construction of the Konark Surya Mandir is so precise and ornate that the morning light falls on the picture of Surya in the temple’s sanctum sanctorum, known as the Garbha Griha.
The Intricate Design
The Konark Sun Temple is designed to resemble Surya’s gigantic chariot. Surya is claimed to have ridden across the heavens on a chariot driven by seven horses. The Konark platform is etched with 24 chariot wheels. The numerals 7 and 24 bear great importance.
Some scholars argue that the seven horses represent the seven days of the week, while others believe they represent the seven components of white light known as the VIBGYOR. The number 7 is seen to be a mystical number because it appears all around us, spiritually, historically, and materially.
For example, in Hindu weddings, the bride and groom do seven rounds of Agni, the Fire God; the periodic table includes elements in groups of seven; an octave has seven musical notes, and so on. So the seven horses may just signify the miraculous number that surrounds us. The number 24 denotes the 24 fortnights of the year as well as the 24 hours of the day, which are also represented by the Ashok Chakra at the middle of the Indian flag.
The Magnificence of the Konark Temple
Aside from the horses and wheels at Konark, the temple’s pedestal features exquisite and artistically carved reliefs depicting dancers, musicians, animals, and some sensual characters. The entire chariot is engraved with pictures of religious symbols, gods, and goddesses. The temple’s remarkable intricacy is only visible when you stand directly in front of it. The walls also have sculptures depicting the daily lives of Natmandir members.
The chariot of the Konark Sun Temple is 100 feet tall. But what you see of the temple is what is left of it. A 200-foot-high Shikhara stood next to the chariot at one time. Much of the temple complex has been demolished over time for unexplained causes, and this is all that remains. Because the temple exhibits its majesty even in its current state, it must have been a thousand times more gorgeous when King Narasimha Deva first erected it.
Best Time to visit Konark, Odisha
Konark is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the seaside, thus the ideal time to come is during the winter, when the weather is favorable (September to March). Summer, however, should be avoided because the town may get extremely hot and humid. And if you want to spend your time admiring the intricate carvings on the chariot, standing out in the heat all day might be tiring. The pleasant weather will be comfortable and you will not exhaust yourself just by strolling.
The Konark Sun Temple opens from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The ideal time to visit Surya’s temple is in the morning. That is then you see the temple in its full beauty, as it was meant. You may walk or take a shared vehicle from the parking lot to the temple.
How to reach Konark Temple from Bhubaneshwar?
From Bhubaneshwar, you can take mo-bus which will drop you at the temple. The mo-bus number 70 will take you to Konark from the Master Canteen Bus stand. It takes around 2 hours to reach your destination and charges a minimum fare of Rs. 70. Also, private buses are available from Baramunda Bus Stand, Odisha. Also, you can take an auto to visit Chandrabhaga Beach which is very close to it.
