Konark Sun Temple
Description
The Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century temple dedicated to the Hindu Sun God Surya located in Konark, about 35 kilometers northeast of Puri city, in the Puri district of Odisha, India. The temple is believed to have been built by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty around 1250 CE. The temple complex appears like a 100-foot-high chariot with huge wheels and horses, all intricately carved from stone. Once towering over 200 feet high, most of the temple is now in ruins, particularly the large shikhara tower over the sanctuary. The remaining structures and elements are renowned for their complex artwork, iconography, and themes, including erotic kama and mithuna scenes. The temple is also known as the Surya Devalaya and is a classic example of the Odisha style of architecture, also known as Kalinga architecture.
Tales
There are several local legends associated with the Konark Sun Temple. One popular story told by the locals is that the temple is surrounded by a powerful aura emitted from a pair of magnets believed to have been built into the tower. These magnets are rumored to have caused the king's throne to levitate and to have led to frequent shipwrecks along the coast. In one version of the tale, it was decided to remove and destroy the dome of the tower to avoid any further shipwrecks. According to some, the temple was ransacked by a Muslim Yavana army in the 15th century, while others attribute the temple's destruction to the Mughals during the reign of Jahangir in the early 18th century. In any case, the temple was abandoned and buried under sand. It was not until the late 19th century and early 20th century that British archaeologists excavated and restored the temple's remains.
History
Konark, which was also known as Kainapara in ancient Indian texts, played a significant role as a trading port since the early centuries of the common era. The present Konark temple was constructed in the 13th century, but there is evidence to suggest that a sun temple was built in the same area as early as the 9th century. Several Puranas, which are ancient Hindu texts, mention the worship of the sun god, Surya at centers in Mundira, which could have been the earlier name for Konark, Kalapriya (Mathura), and Multan (now in Pakistan). According to the Madala Panji, there was once another temple in the region that was built by Pundara Kesari. It is believed that he was Puranjaya, a ruler of the Somavamshi dynasty who lived in the 7th century.
Features
Deities:
Timings:
All week: 6 am to 8 pm
Built:
1250 CE
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