Supposed to have been constructed in the thirteenth century CE Between 1238 and 1250 CE, konark temple built by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty. The king gave the temple’s construction instructions, and Samantaraya Mahapatra was in charge of carrying them out. “Konark” denotes the four corners and the sun. The Europeans who used the temple to guide their ships throughout their voyage gave it the name “Black Pagoda” because of its gloomy exterior. It is reported that the Konark Sun Temple magnetic properties might entice ships to the coast.
Who Built Konark Sun Temple:
The temple is renowned for its striking Kalinga architecture, which features a picture of a 100-foot-tall chariot drawn by horses on wheels made entirely of stone. The monument depicts the sun god’s magnificent chariot. Constructed from Khondalite rocks, the original temple featured a 230-foot-tall sanctum that is now gone, as well as an audience hall, dance hall, and dining room that are 128 feet high and still stand. There are 24 beautifully crafted wheels that have a diameter of 12 feet and are pulled by horses. The wheels stand for the twelve months, the seven horses stand for the week, and the eight spokes on the wheels indicate the day cycle. Furthermore, the entire representation illustrates how the sun governs time, with Surya from Hindu mythology traveling from the east in his chariot accompanied by his charioteer, Aruna.
The shrine of Surya, the chlorite stone deity, is accessible through the gateway. The temple’s walls are covered in reliefs, which are detailed carvings of a variety of subjects, including Hindu deities, representations of common mortals, birds, animals, and more. Additionally, the temple’s shikhara features sensual tantric sculptures. The temple’s wheels are excellent time predictors and can be utilized as sundials.
Inside Konark Sun Temple
This temple is similarly covered with many carvings, and a sapta-ratha sits atop a square mandapa. This Surya temple has a Nataraja in its sanctuary. Among the other gods within are Agni, Varuna, Vishnu, Vayu, and an injured Surya clutching a lotus. You can see konark sun temple photos by search on google.more
Mayadevi Temple:
It was found in 1909 while doing excavations, and it is located west of the Sun temple. A significant temple inside the complex, this one is dedicated to Surya’s wife, Mayadevi. It predates the Sun temple, which was constructed in the eleventh century. There is a Nataraja in its sanctum, and idols of Surya with Vishnu, Vayu, and Agni can be seen in other temple chambers. Some people thought the temple was just another one built to worship the sun deity, while others think it was built to honor Surya’s wife.
Konark Sun Temple Timings & Address
Konark Sun Temple timings are 6 am to 8 pm. The temple is open on all days.
Konark Sun Temple address is Konark, Odisha 752111.
How to reach Konark Sun Temple
The Konark Sun Temple in india is located in Konark, an Odisha town in the Puri district. It is roughly 35 km from Puri and 60 km from Bhubaneswar, the state capital. Due to the Sun Temple, Konark is a well-known tourist site, and as a result, it has excellent transportation to and from Puri and Bhubaneswar via trains, buses, and taxis. But hiring a taxi from Puri is the most straightforward way to get to Konark. For more details about temples search on liturgical temples website.