There are so many wonderful temples in India which are famous for either their rich architecture or because of interesting legends associated with them. Situated in Odisha, Konark Sun Temple is one of its kind. The temple was built in the 13th century and is attributed to King Narasimhadeva 1 of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, 1250 CE. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Konark temple is dedicated to the Sun God. Konark is a Sanskrit name, combining two words ‘Kona’ and ‘ark’. Kona means ‘angle’ and ‘ark’ means ‘the Sun’. It is situated around 35 kilometres away from Puri city on the coastline in Puri district. The temple is a famous tourist destination owing to the Sun Temple and thus it is well-connected to Puri and Bhubaneswar by trains, buses and taxis. The easiest way to reach Konark is to rent a cab from Puri. The temple represents the passage of time. However, much of the temple has fallen into rack and ruin but what remains of it still holds enough charm to captivate the visitors
According to the local stories, Narasimhadeva I had hired a chief architect called Bisu Maharana to build the temple. The temple has a gigantic solar chariot with 12 pairs of wheels dragged by seven rearing horses. The 12 stone-carved wheels represent the 12 months of a year.
Each of the 12 wheels are equipped with spokes which form the shape of a sundial. Each wheel in Konark temple has 8 spokes, representing a 'prahar' which is a 3-hour period, adding up to 24 hours which is a day.
Konark Sun Temple comprises a sanctum with a lofty (presumably over 68 m. high) sikhara, a jagamohana (30. m. square and 30. m. high) and a detached nata-mandira (hall of dance) in the same axis.
According to the local stories, Narasimhadeva I had hired a chief architect called Bisu Maharana to build the temple. The temple has a gigantic solar chariot with 12 pairs of wheels dragged by seven rearing horses. The 12 stone-carved wheels represent the 12 months of a year.
According to the local stories, Narasimhadeva I had hired a chief architect called Bisu Maharana to build the temple. The temple has a gigantic solar chariot with 12 pairs of wheels dragged by seven rearing horses. The 12 stone-carved wheels represent the 12 months of a year.
According to the local stories, Narasimhadeva I had hired a chief architect called Bisu Maharana to build the temple. The temple has a gigantic solar chariot with 12 pairs of wheels dragged by seven rearing horses. The 12 stone-carved wheels represent the 12 months of a year.
Each of the 12 wheels are equipped with spokes which form the shape of a sundial. Each wheel in Konark temple has 8 spokes, representing a 'prahar' which is a 3-hour period, adding up to 24 hours which is a day.
Konark Sun Temple comprises a sanctum with a lofty (presumably over 68 m. high) sikhara, a jagamohana (30. m. square and 30. m. high) and a detached nata-mandira (hall of dance) in the same axis.
