Konark Sun Temple

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History:

It is believed that the Konark sun temple have been built in the late 13th century CE. The temple was built by the King Narasimhadeva ruleing from the Eastern Ganga family between 1238-1250 CE. The temple was constructed and maintained by the king while Samantaraya Mahapatra served as the in charge of its construction.

The meaning of ‘Konark’ is the sun and the four corners. The temple was once called “Black Pagoda” because of its dark façade by the Europeans who used it as the navigation for their ships. It is said and was believed at a time that the sun temple could draw or attract the ships to the very shore due to its magical magnetic powers.

Architecture:

The temple is known for its impressive ‘Kalinga architecture’ that includes a reflection of a 100 ft high chariot being pulled by the horses and wheels carved out of a single piece stone. The monument displays the striking chariot of the sun god. Built from Khondalite rocks, the original temple had 230 ft high sacred place which no longer exists, 128 ft high audience hall, dance hall and dining hall which survives still.

There are total 24 detailed designed wheels, 12 ft in diameter which are seen drawn by horses. The seven  craved horses represents the week span, the rock wheels stand for the twelve months of the year and the day-cycle is shown by the 8 spokes in the wheels. And this whole preparation tells how the time is controlled by the sun – the very illustration of the Surya in the Hindu mythology travelling from the east in his chariot escorted by the charioteer, Aruna.

The entrance gate leads you to the temple of the worshiping for the god of sun, Surya made of the chlorite stone. The walls of the temple are craved with reliefs – intricate carvings of various statues including Hindu gods, images of the daily mortal life, birds, animals and more. The temple also has eye catching sculptures on its shikhara belonging to the tantra tradition. The wheels of the temple can be used as sundials to get the time.

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Mayadevi Temple:

Founded in the 1909 during the excavations on the soil, it lies to the far west of the Sun temple. A significant temple in the intricate this is devoted to Mayadevi – the wife of the lord of sun, Surya, the temple is far more established than the Sun temple built around 11th century. In its holy house resides a Nataraja, and other few chambers of the temple have the idols of Surya with Vishnu, Vayu and Agni. The temple was considered by some as another temple made to revere sun god yet a couple believe that it was committed to the wife of Surya.

How to reach Sun Temple:

The temple is located in Konark, a town in the district of Puri in Odisha. It is approximately sixty km from the capital city, Bhubaneswar and 35 km away from Puri. Konark is a famous tourist spot owing to the Sun Temple and for that reason it is well-connected to Puri and Bhubaneswar by trains, buses and cabs. The easiest and fastest way however, to reach Konark is to rent a cab from Puri.

Nearest Bus Stand to Sun Temple:

The temple is only 6 minutes from the Konark bus stand. You can board the bus from Puri and reach Konark in almost an hour. OSRTC and private operators (MO bus) provide bus service from Puri to Konark.

Nearest Railway Station to Sun Temple:

Puri railway station is the nearest railway station from the sun Temple. It’s 30 km from Konark. You can book Bhubaneswar to Puri trains and then take a cab or auto and also available city bus to reach the temple.

Nearest Airport to Sun Temple:

Bhubaneswar Airport or the Biju Patnaik International Airport is a long distance of 65 kms and an hour or so -long drive from the Konark Sun Temple. You can easily get cabs for hire to reach Konark from the airport.

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