Sun Temple in Konark
The crowning glory of Oriya temple architecture, the 13th century Sun temple
also known as ' the Black Pagoda', comes with a baggage of centuries - old
myths and legends. Legends say that Samba, the son of Lord Krishna, was
afflicted by leprosy, brought about by his father's curse on him. After
12 years of penance, he was cured by Surya, the Sun God, in whose honour
he built this temple.
Built by Raja Narsimhadeva of the Ganga dynasty, in the 13th century AD,
the temple is a pageant of human grandeur, in its perception, and in the
execution of even the finest details. It resembles a colossal chariot, with
24 wheels, pulled by seven straining horses, and has a three-tiered pyramidal
roof topped off by a fine spire.
The Sun - God's chariot, also represents the seven days of the week, and
the 24 hours of the day, in its concept. The temple is a brilliant chronicle
in stone, with impressive sculptures. Every aspect of life is represented
here, and the erotic imagery, depicts the sublimation of human love manifested
in countless forms. Scenes from court, civic life and war are also done
with great precision.
Unlike the other temples of the Bhubaneswar-Konark-Puri region, the Konark
temple had two smaller outer halls, completely separate from the main structure.
The assembly-hall and the tower were built on an imposing platform, which
were carved into meticulously crafted twelve pairs of decorated wheels,
each 10 feet in diameter.
The entrance is reached by a broad flight of steps, flanked on either side
by prancing horses, the whole representing the chariot, in which the Sun-God
rides across the heavens.
The court of the temple, was decorated with large free-standing sculptures
of great strength and beauty. No
w protected under the World Heritage List,
the temple's interior was filled - up in 1903 A.D., by the then British
Lt. Governor of Bengal, to save it from deterioration.
The Chandrabhaga Mela or Magha Saptami mela in the month of February, is
a grand religious festival. Thousands of pilgrims converge on the pool,
on this day to take a holy dip in its curative waters, and then shuffle
off to the beach where, in accordance with an age-old custom mentioned in
the
puranas, they watch the sun rise over the sea. The event is followed
by the
puja of the Navagraha.
Those interested in attending the Konark Dance Festival, held in the Open
air Auditorium north of the Sun Temple, should visit during the first week
of December.
