Konark, located in Orissa in India is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It boasts of the Sun Temple, one of India’s greatest architectural wonders. The name Konark has come from the words Kona meaning corner and Arka meaning Sun and is also known as Arkakshetra.
The temple in Konark, dedicated to Surya, the Sun God, is in the shape of a huge chariot. It was built during the 13th century during the reign of King Narasimhadeva of the Eastern Ganga dynasty. The temple has sculptures of Gods, demons, kings, peasants, animals, maidens, dancers and erotic couples. The temple can be seen from the sea and was called the Black Pagoda by the European sailors who used it to locate the place.
The Temple is noted for its architectural intricacy and decorative sculptures. The chariot shaped temple has 12 pairs of wheels with spokes and designs on them. The chariot is driven by seven horses while the main entrance of the temple is guarded by two lions that crush elephants. This temple lay buried under the drifting sand until the twentieth century, when it was excavated and restored by the archaeologists.
A spectacle for the traveller at the Sun Temple in Konark is the existence of three life-size images of the Sun God made of coloured chlorite stone that are illuminated by the sunrays at dawn, noon and sunset. Equally important is the Shrine of the Nine Planets that has a large slab with deities of the nine planets.
Every December, the Sun Temple hosts the Annual Dance Festival that lasts a week and features traditional forms of dance such as the Odissi and others. The dancers perform in an open air stage against the backdrop of a beautifully lit Sun Temple. The festival also displays the finest handicrafts of Orissa and exotic Sand Art.
The temple in Konark, dedicated to Surya, the Sun God, is in the shape of a huge chariot. It was built during the 13th century during the reign of King Narasimhadeva of the Eastern Ganga dynasty. The temple has sculptures of Gods, demons, kings, peasants, animals, maidens, dancers and erotic couples. The temple can be seen from the sea and was called the Black Pagoda by the European sailors who used it to locate the place.
The Temple is noted for its architectural intricacy and decorative sculptures. The chariot shaped temple has 12 pairs of wheels with spokes and designs on them. The chariot is driven by seven horses while the main entrance of the temple is guarded by two lions that crush elephants. This temple lay buried under the drifting sand until the twentieth century, when it was excavated and restored by the archaeologists.
A spectacle for the traveller at the Sun Temple in Konark is the existence of three life-size images of the Sun God made of coloured chlorite stone that are illuminated by the sunrays at dawn, noon and sunset. Equally important is the Shrine of the Nine Planets that has a large slab with deities of the nine planets.
Every December, the Sun Temple hosts the Annual Dance Festival that lasts a week and features traditional forms of dance such as the Odissi and others. The dancers perform in an open air stage against the backdrop of a beautifully lit Sun Temple. The festival also displays the finest handicrafts of Orissa and exotic Sand Art.
