 The temple metropolis of Konark is located inside the eastern state of Orissa at a distance of around 65 km from Bhubaneswar and 35 km from Puri. The town extends between longitude 86.08°E and latitude 19.53°N. The temple was constructed by Raja Narasimhadeva to mark a military victory. Considering that the rulers utilised to worship the Sun, the temple was conceived as being a chariot for Surya, the Sun God. The whole framework is inside the type of a large horse drawn chariot in the Sun. Collectively, the 24 wheels with the Chariot and also the 7 horses drawing it symbolize the passage of time. The front in the major entrance has two large stone lions crushing elephants. While you climb up the stairs, you will see statues of horses on each facet. All more than the walls of this massive temple are stunning carvings, sculptures and bas-reliefs (figures projecting from the plain background). Among them are thousands of images of gods, goddesses, guys and females and scenes from life within the 13th century.
Background
Konark derives its identify from Konarka, the presiding deity of the Sun Temple. Konarka is actually a mixture of two words, Kona (corner) and Arka (sun), which, when mixed, means the sun in the corner. Konark was 1 from the earliest centres of Sun worshipping in India. The location finds mention in the Puranas as Mundira or Mundirasvamin, a identify which was subsequently replaced by Konaditya or Konarka. Apart from the Puranas, other spiritual texts also point in the direction of the existence of a sun temple at Konark lengthy prior to the present temple. Konark was as soon as a bustling port of Kalinga and had excellent maritime trade relations with Southeast Asian nations. The current Sun Temple was possibly constructed King Narashimhadev I (Advert 1238-64) from the Ganga dynasty to celebrate his victory over the Muslims. The temple fell into disuse inside the early seventeenth century soon after it had been desecrated by an envoy from the Mughal emperor Jahangir. Nevertheless, legend has it that the temple was made by Samba, the son of Lord Krishna. It really is stated that Samba was afflicted by leprosy, introduced about by his father's curse on him. Following 12 years of penance, he was cured by Surya, the Sun God, in whose honour he developed this temple.
ARCHITECTURE
The enormous structure with the temple, now in ruins, sits in solitary splendor surrounded through the drifting sands. The whole temple has become designed within the form of the chariot carrying the Sun God across the heavens. The enormous intricate wheels in the chariot, that are carved around the base in the temple, will be the main attractions with the temple. The spokes of these wheelsserve as sundials, as well as the shadows shaped by these can give the precise time in the day. The pyramidal roof in the temple, created of sandstone, soars over 30 m in peak. Like the temples at Khajuraho, the Sun Temple at Konark can also be coated with erotic sculptures.
THE LEGENDS
Nobody actually knows why a temple was erected here, but there are many legends to account for its appearance. The most well-known issues 'Samba', the son of Lord Krishna. Samba was inordinately happy with his beauty. So proud that he as soon as created the mistake of ridiculing a celebrated sage, 'Narada', who was not famous for his looks. Narada was not amused. Usually mischievous, he made the decision to have his revenge on the arrogant boy. He managed to lure the unsuspecting Samba to the pool exactly where his stepmothers, the luscious consorts of Krishna, were bathing in joyful abandon. When Krishna heard that his son had grow to be a peeping tom, he was furious and cursed him with leprosy. Acknowledging later that the innocent boy had been tricked by Narada's cunning, Krishna was mortified. But he could not revoke his training course; all he could do was advise his son to worship the sun god 'Surya', healer of all illnesses, and hope for a cure. Soon after twelve a long time of penance and worship, Samba was at last instructed by Surya to go and bathe within the sea at Konark. He did so and was cured of his terrible affliction. Samba was so delighted that he made the decision there and then to erect a Surya temple on these spot. It had been named "Konark", "Place with the Sun," from which the modern day title arrives.
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