On our journey to Orissa, after completing our visit at Bhubneshwar, we travelled 60 km from Bhubneswar to a marvel of architectural excellence, the Sun temple of Konark popularly known as the Black Pagoda. This temple is designed in the shape of a chariot with seven horses and twelve pairs of wheels carrying the mythical sun God.The present temple was built by King Narasimhadeva of Ganga dynesty in the 13 century AD. Since the temple built by Puranderkeshri was in a ruined state. It is one of the greatest example of Oriyan art and architecture.
The word Konark comes from combination of Sanskrit words 'Kona' and 'Arka'. Kona meaning corner and arka meaning Sun hence, the Sun Temple. Images carved so beautifully artistically that it appears like a fantasy of stones. Konark is one of the most finest creations at India and rightly been considered as the World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The word Konark comes from combination of Sanskrit words 'Kona' and 'Arka'. Kona meaning corner and arka meaning Sun hence, the Sun Temple. Images carved so beautifully artistically that it appears like a fantasy of stones. Konark is one of the most finest creations at India and rightly been considered as the World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Here the language of Stone surpasses the language of Man - Rabindranath Tagore
Surya, the sun is the only eye of the universe, he shines and destroys darkness
Sun is the origin of all creation, existence and destruction as well as the three forms of Brahma,Vishnu,Mahesh.
In the morning the Sun is worshiped as Brahma,in the mid day as Maheshwara Rudra and the evening setting sun is worshipped as Vishnu. The wheels of Sun are regarded as the wheels of Life, represent the time and as replica of the universe the wheels of chariot symbolises the chariot of creation. The sun God is seen seated riding on the wheeled chariot drawn by seven horses.
Surya, The Sun God being the source of life giving energy, has occupied a prominent position in the history of devotional upsurge in India. Sun God owe his parentage to the sage Kashyap and Aditi, the daughter of Daksh Prajapati so the Sun is also called Aditya.
The Huge Natamandap (Rangmandap) is worth a mention and catches interest of beholders. The composite mythical figures of Simha Gajas welcomes the visitor at the porch.
According to Sambapurana, the son of lord Krishna, Samba had leprosy and was advised to worship the God Sun by the brahmans of Sakadwip (Persia). Samba had established the Sun image in a temple constructed by him on the bank of the river Chandrabhaga at Konark c1900 B.C.
In the later period besides Konark there were few centers of Sun worship established throughout India. Here I would like to draw attention to another center where Sun worship was popular, the Sun Temple at Jhalarapatan in Rajasthan near river Chandrabhaga which is considered as the city of bells. read more Is is said that Samba had built the three great Sun temples at India, of them one is at Konark, other at Multan and probably in all possibility the third is at Jhalarapatan all three on the banks of river Chandrabhaga. Even after Samba left, the Sun Worship continued to be in vogue at Konark.
In the later period besides Konark there were few centers of Sun worship established throughout India. Here I would like to draw attention to another center where Sun worship was popular, the Sun Temple at Jhalarapatan in Rajasthan near river Chandrabhaga which is considered as the city of bells. read more Is is said that Samba had built the three great Sun temples at India, of them one is at Konark, other at Multan and probably in all possibility the third is at Jhalarapatan all three on the banks of river Chandrabhaga. Even after Samba left, the Sun Worship continued to be in vogue at Konark.
Konark is a destination of tourist attraction with a blend of Beauty and Perfection.
Konark : A Heritage fantasy
Dr. Sushma Ahuja
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