Konark Sun Temple History , Mystery , Architecture , Facts , Festival and Hotels
Konark Sun Temple is about 35 KM northeast from Puri and 65 KM southeast of Bhubaneswar on the Bay of Bengal coastline of Odisha ,INDIA. The nearest airport is Bhubaneswar airport . Both Puri and Bhubaneswar are major railway hubs connected by Indian Railways southeastern services.
Konark sun temple History
The Konark sun temple was constructed in the mid-13th century by the king Langula Narasingha Deva-1 of the Ganga Dynasty.Dedicated to the Hindu Sun god Surya this temple was constructed .
The current temple is attributed to Narasimhadeva of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty,1238-1264.The sun temple was constructed by 1200 craftsmen and they made the temple in 12 years . There is a beautiful and inspirational story behind the construction of this Historical temple .All the 1200 craftsmen were unable to finish the temple ,the temple was finished by Dharmapada. He was the son of a great architect named Bishu Maharana .Dharmapada completed the final construction of the temple in a single night to save 1200 craftsmen from execution , and then sacrificed his own life to prevent the story from spreading.
Konark sun temple Architecture
Konark Sun Temple Wheel
The shape of the temple is like a huge Chariot pulled by 7 horses on 12 pairs of well decorated wheels at its base . The diameter of the wheel is 10 feet . Each wheel have 8 wider spokes and 8 thinner spokes . The 7 horses represent 7 days of the week and 12 pair of wheels signify 12 months of the year and 24 wheels signify 24 hours of the day . The well decorated huge wheels of the Konark temple are one of the major attractions for visitors .
Nata Mandir
The Nata mandir welcomes you with figurines of with apsaras dancing and musicians playing different instruments , telling you exactly what the purpose of this open roof pillared hall was.as you go up the pillars of the Nata Mandir not only has the apsaras and musicians continuing their orchestra but also has various carvings of the audience , enjoying the show , giggling , lost in their own admiration , watching the dance from windows and so much more . Before you know it , you lost in this festival of local art forms yourself , even though the magic now exists only in stone.
Aruna stambha
In the last quarter of the 18th century, the Aruna stambha was removed from the entrance of Konark temple and placed at the Singha dwara of the Jagannatha temple in Puri by a Maratha Brahmachari named Goswain . The pillar , made of monolithic chlorite , is 33 feet 8 inch tall and is dedicated to Aruna , the charioteer of the Sun god.
Read Also : Places to visit in Bhubaneswar
Royal guard of the Konark Temple
A monument of Lion upon an elephant is constructed at the main entrance of the sun temple . According to mythological point of view Lion signify pride and the elephant resemble wealth . The entire monument made of one piece of stone .
Horses of the Konark temple
The structure of the temple is like a huge chariot with 24 wheels and pulled by seven horses ( 4 horses on right side and 3 horses on left side). The 7 horses represent the 7 days of the week . According to some other point of view the 7 horse represents color of the Rainbow .
There are two other horses are constructed at the southern side of the temple . They are known as the war horses of the temple . They are of 7 feet high and 10 feet long .
Read also : Bhubaneswar Puri Road Trip
The Floating Idol and Magnet of the temple
Various magnet pieces were used during the construction of the temple , one iron plate put in between every two stone . A massive magnet of about 52 ton was arranged at the top of the main temple . Due to the arrangement of magnets the idol was in floating condition .
According to some legends point of view the massive magnet was so strong and that made disturbance towards the navigation of the passing ships . Due to that the Portuguese soldiers destroyed the temple and took away the magnet and the main temple collapsed .
Sun God of the temple
There are three sculptures of Sun god has constructed at three different sides of the temple . they are constructed in a way to catch the rays of Sun at Morning , Noon and Evening .
1-Pravata Surya ( Morning Sun) The morning Sun identified Brahma , the creator .
2- Madhyanha Surya (Mid day Sun ) The mid day sun identified Maheshwar , the destroyer .
3-Astachala Surya (Evening Sun ) The evening sun identified Vishnu , the preserver .
DAMAGE AND RUINS OF KONARK TEMPLE
Load stone
According to some legends point of view a big Load stone was constructed at the top of the temple . The magnet was massive and strong that’s why the magnet made disturbance towards the Navigation of the passing ships . to save their ships the portuguese soldiers destroyed the main temple .
Some important tips
If only visiting the temple except Dance festival you should reach the Temple around 6-6.30because the area is very hot and humid during the day due to the coastal heat.
carry a cap or umbrella and a lot of water
Please do not carry food in the temple campus , you can get food at OTDC Yatrinivas.
Visiting hour for the temple are from 5 am to 11 pm.
do hire a guide here . Not every thing they say might be true , but without a guide you would not be able to notice all the unique and special statues in the temple.
Top Hotels in Konark
1- Surya Inn ( Standard double room , RS 1300 + RS 150 taxes and charges )2- Labanya Lodge ( Double room , RS 1140 + RS 135 taxes and charges ) 3- Goroomgo VIP Lodge ( Deluxe double room , RS 720including all charges )