HERITAGE STRUCTURES - KONARK SUN TEMPLE

HERITAGE STRUCTURES - KONARK SUN TEMPLE
“Here the language of stone surpasses the language of man” said Rabindranath Tagore, looking at the Sun Temple at Konark in Orissa also called “Black Pagoda” as it is built of black granite. One of India’s great architectural wonders, on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, remarkable for its awesome sculptures, this temple is a monumental representation of the Sun God Surya’s chariot. It was built in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. In spite of a few sections being in ruina, the aura and elegance of the temple is retained.

It is believed that the Sun Temple is built on the place where Samba, the son of Lord Krishna worshipped the Sun God for liberating himself from a curse put upon him by his father. Legend says that Samba was proud and arrogant about his beauty and once ridiculed the great sage Narada. Enraged, Narada planned revenge who lured Samba to the side of the lake where his stepmothers were bathing. This unacceptable act came to the knowledge of Lord Krishna who cursed him with leprosy. On realizing that his son was tricked by Narada, he asked Samba to worship the healer of all diseases, the Sun God. Samba worshiped Lord Surya on the sea coast for 12 long years. Lord Surya then appeared Lord Surya on the sea coast for 12 long years. Lord Surya then appeared and asked Samba to take a holy dip in Konark. As soon as he was cured of leprosy, he planned to build a temple dedicated to Lord Surya at the very spot he appeared.

The sun Temple is an unrivalled structure stands on a platform with 12 pairs of intricately caved wheels on the sides of the platform. Each wheel is more than 10 feet in height. The 8 spokes of the wheels mark the division of the day into three hour sections.

Structures of 7 life-size, galloping horses at the entrance of the temple, a major attraction, completes the chariot. The majestic image of the Sun God stands on a chariot, flanked by his wives and other deities. Images of gods and demins, kings and peasants, elephants and horses, men, women, warriors and scenes from daily life adorn the walls of the temple.

The three tiered roof is shaped like a stepped pyramid and crowned with a round fluted stone termed an amalaka. Between each tier are terraces covered with sculptures.

Originally, the Sun Temple had a towering deul(spire), 70-m (230-ft) high, over the main sanctuary, The temple was an important navigational aid for European sailors headed for Kolkata (Calcutta), on account of its visibility far out at sea. Over a period of time, the khondalite stone was easily weathered and corroded by sea winds and sand and finally by the 19th century, the great tower had completely collapsed. The base still remains. The Bhogmandir or “Hall of Offerings” with massive lions on cowering elephants is roofless but the plinth of pillers carved with figures of dancers depicting classical Odissi dance poses still remain.

The chariot-shaped jagamohan or “assembly hall” was buried under drilling sand for almost two centuries until the Archaeological Survey of India unearthed and restired it in the 20th century. Sculptures of nearly 1700 elephants in animated motion, many exquisite maidens at leisure, playing with a pet bird, holding a mittor or learning against a doorway are carved on the plinth.

Three life-size images of the Sun God Surya made of contrasting coloured chlorite stone are placed in a way that the sun’s rays fall on their faces, turn by turn at down, noon and sunset.
The shine of the Nine Plants, a large stone slab carved with the delities of the nine planets is located in the north-east corner of the compound. Massive sculptures of war horses and elephants stand at the north and south.

The Archaeological Museum consisting of the fine sculptures recovered from the site is located near the compound.