Konark, Hindu Pilgrimage in India
SUN
TEMPLE KONARK FACTS
& FIGURES
Built
in : 13th
Century A.D.
Location : Konark, Orissa.
Location : Konark, Orissa.
Best
time to visit: October
to March.
Significance:
Sun Temple.
Konark
is a popular tourist
attraction of Orissa.
Konark houses a
colossal temple
dedicated to the
Sun God. Even in
its ruined state
it is a magnificient
temple reflecting
the genius of the
architects that
envisioned and built
it. Bhubaneshwar,
Konark and Puri
constitute the Golden
triangle of Orissa,
visited in large
numbers by pilgrims
and tourists.
This
temple built in
1278 CE by the Ganga
King Narasimha Deva
is one of the grandest
temples of India
and was referred
to as the Black
Pagoda. The ruins
of this temple were
excavated in late
19th century.
Sun Temple Architecture
The
Sun Temple built
in the thirteenth
century was conveived
as a gigantic chariot
of Sun God, with
twelve pairs of
exquisitely ornamented
wheels pulled by
seven pairs of horses.
Majestic in conception,
this Temple is indeed
one of the most
sublime monuments
of India, famous
as much for its
imposing dimensions
and faultless proportions
as for the harmonious
integration of of
architectural grandeur
with plastic allegiance.
It is admittedly
the best in Orissa.
Its fine traceries
and scroll work
, the beautiful
and natural cut
of animal and human
figures, all give
it a superiority
over other temples.
The chief quality
is its design and
architectural details.
The Sun temple belongs
to the Kalinga School
of Indian Temples
with characteristic
curvilinear towers
mounted by Cupolas.
In shape, the Temple
did not make any
major departure
from other sikhara
temples of Orissa.
The main sanctum
which (229 ft. high)
was constructed
alongwith the audience
hall (128 ft. high)
having elaborate
external projections.
The main sanctum
which enshrined
the presiding deity
has fallen off.
The Audience Hall
survives in its
entirely but of
the other two viz
the Dancing Hall(nata
Mandir) and the
Dining Hall (Bhoga-Mandap),
only small portions
have survived the
vagaries of time.
The Temple compound
measures 857 ft.
by 540 ft.
The alignment of
the Sun Temple is
on the east-west
direction. The Temple
is located in natural
surroundings, abounding
with casuarina plantations
and other types
of trees, wchich
grow on sandy soil.
The environment
is by and large
unspoiled. Gentle
undulating topography
around the Sun Temple
lends some variation
to the landscape
How to Reach Konark
•
Air: The
nearest airport
is Bhubaneshwar,
65 km away, which
is connected to
Calcutta, Delhi,
Madras and other
airports.
• Rail: The city is well connected by rail to Bhubaneshwar and Puri.
• Road: Konark is 65 km from Bhubaneswar and 35 km from the coastal town of Puri. It is 85 km from Puri if you take a diversion via the colourful village of Pipli, which is famous for its applique work. You can also travel by road to other places in Orissa.
• Rail: The city is well connected by rail to Bhubaneshwar and Puri.
• Road: Konark is 65 km from Bhubaneswar and 35 km from the coastal town of Puri. It is 85 km from Puri if you take a diversion via the colourful village of Pipli, which is famous for its applique work. You can also travel by road to other places in Orissa.
