India Heritage - Sun Temple, Konark

The most notable marvel of art in the Indian State of Orissa is the stately Sun Temple of Konark, Built in AD 1250, during the reign of the Eastern Ganga King Narasimhadeva-I (AD 1238-64), it was to enshrine an image of Sun ("Arka"), the patron deity of the place.

The entire temple complex in Konark was designed in the form of a huge chariot drawn by seven spirited horses on twelve pairs of exquisitely carved wheels. The sanctum symbolises the majestic stride of the Sun God and marks the culmination of the Orissan architectural style.

There are two rows of 12 wheels on each side of the Konark sun temple. Some say the wheels represent the 24 hours in a day and others say the 12 months. The seven horses are said to symbolize the seven days of the week. There is a dancing hall here, an audience hall and a high tower too. Sailors once called this Sun Temple of Konarak the Black Pagoda because it was supposed to draw ships into the shore and cause shipwrecks.

The Vimana of the Deul has collapsed, while that of Jagamohana and the Nata-Mandapa are better preserved. The walls of the Sun temple in Konark contain superb carving of divine, semi-divine, human and animal figures amidst floral and geometric ornamentations. The sculptures render the Orissan temple a class unto themselves. Mighty Simha-Gajas welcome the visitor at the porches. visit this interesting Konark sun temple dedicated to the Sun God. The Sun Temple belongs to the medieval period embellished with intricate carvings both on the inside and outside.