 The temple metropolis of Konark is situated within the eastern state of Orissa at a distance of around 65 km from Bhubaneswar and 35 km from Puri. The town extends in between longitude 86.08°E and latitude 19.53°N. The temple was constructed by Raja Narasimhadeva to mark a military victory. Given that the rulers utilized to worship the Sun, the temple was conceived like a chariot for Surya, the Sun God. The entire framework is in the type of a giant horse drawn chariot of the Sun. Together, the 24 wheels from the Chariot and also the seven horses drawing it symbolize the passage of time. The front of the main entrance has two large stone lions crushing elephants. As you climb up the stairs, you will see statues of horses on each aspect. All over the partitions of this enormous temple are lovely carvings, sculptures and bas-reliefs (figures projecting from the plain track record). Amongst them are a large number of images of gods, goddesses, guys and ladies and scenes from lifestyle inside the 13th century.
History
Konark derives its name from Konarka, the presiding deity of the Sun Temple. Konarka is really a mixture of two words, Kona (corner) and Arka (sun), which, when blended, indicates the sun from the corner. Konark was one in the earliest centres of Sun worshipping in India. The location finds point out inside the Puranas as Mundira or Mundirasvamin, a name which was subsequently replaced by Konaditya or Konarka. Apart from the Puranas, other spiritual texts also level towards the existence of a sun temple at Konark long ahead of the present temple. Konark was as soon as a bustling port of Kalinga and had excellent maritime trade relations with Southeast Asian countries. The present Sun Temple was possibly developed King Narashimhadev I (Advert 1238-64) from the Ganga dynasty to celebrate his victory over the Muslims. The temple fell into disuse within the early seventeenth century after it was desecrated by an envoy in the Mughal emperor Jahangir. Nonetheless, legend has it which the temple was built by Samba, the son of Lord Krishna. It really is stated that Samba was afflicted by leprosy, brought about by his father's curse on him. After 12 a long time of penance, he was remedied by Surya, the Sun God, in whose honour he developed this temple.
ARCHITECTURE
The huge structure from the temple, now in ruins, sits in solitary splendor surrounded through the drifting sands. The entire temple continues to be created in the form of the chariot carrying the Sun God across the heavens. The large intricate wheels in the chariot, that are carved around the base of the temple, will be the major attractions in the temple. The spokes of those wheelsserve as sundials, and the shadows shaped by these can give the specific time in the day. The pyramidal roof from the temple, created of sandstone, soars more than 30 m in height. Just like the temples at Khajuraho, the Sun Temple at Konark is also covered with erotic sculptures.
THE LEGENDS
No one actually is aware of why a temple was erected here, but there are lots of legends to account for its appearance. The most common concerns 'Samba', the son of Lord Krishna. Samba was inordinately pleased with his elegance. So proud that he once made the mistake of ridiculing a celebrated sage, 'Narada', who wasn't renowned for his looks. Narada wasn't amused. Usually mischievous, he determined to have his revenge around the arrogant boy. He maintained to lure the unsuspecting Samba towards the pool exactly where his stepmothers, the luscious consorts of Krishna, were bathing in joyful abandon. When Krishna heard that his son had turn out to be a peeping tom, he was furious and cursed him with leprosy. Realizing later on which the innocent boy had been tricked by Narada's cunning, Krishna was mortified. But he couldn't revoke his program; all he could do was advise his son to worship the sun god 'Surya', healer of all illnesses, and hope for a cure. Right after twelve many years of penance and worship, Samba was at last instructed by Surya to go and bathe inside the sea at Konark. He did so and was cured of his terrible affliction. Samba was so delighted that he determined there after which to erect a Surya temple on these spot. It had been named "Konark", "Place from the Sun," from which the contemporary title comes.
 |
