Konark Tourism
Konark 
legends
say that Samba, the son of Lord Krishna, was afflicted by leprosy, brought about
by his father's curse on him. After 12 years of penance, he was cured by Surya,
the Sun God, in whose honour he built this temple.
The Sun Temple: Built by Raja Narsimhadeva of the Ganga dynasty, in the
13th century AD, the temple is a pageant of human grandeur, in its perception,
and in the execution of even the finest details. It resembles a colossal chariot,
with 24 wheels, pulled by seven straining horses, and has a three-tiered pyramidal
roof topped off by a fine spire. The Sun - God's chariot, also represents the
seven days of the week, and the 24 hours of the day, in its concept. The temple
is a brilliant chronicle in stone, with impressive sculptures. Every aspect
of life is represented here, and the erotic imagery, depicts the sublimation
of human love manifested in countless forms. Scenes from court, civic life and
war are also done with great precision.
Unlike
the other temples of the Bhubaneswar-Konark-Puri region, the Konark temple had
two smaller outer halls, completely separate from the main structure. The assembly-hall
and the tower were built on an imposing platform, which were carved into meticulously
crafted twelve pairs of decorated wheels, each 10 feet in diameter. The entrance
is reached by a broad flight of steps, flanked on either side by prancing horses,
the whole representing the chariot, in which the Sun-God rides across the heavens.
The court of the temple, was decorated with large free-standing sculptures of
great strength and beauty. Now protected under the World Heritage List, the
temple's interior was filled - up in 1903 A.D., by the then British Lt. Governor
of Bengal, to save it from deterioration.
Festivals in Konark: The Chandrabhaga Mela or Magha Saptami mela in the
month of February, is a grand religious festival. Thousands of pilgrims converge
on the pool, on this day to take a holy dip in its curative waters, and then
shuffle off to the beach where, in accordance with an age-old custom mentioned
in the
puranas, they watch the sun rise over the sea. The event is followed
by the
puja of the Navagraha.
Those interested in attending the Konark Dance Festival, held in the Open air
Auditorium north of the Sun Temple, should visit during the first week of December.
Interested
? Book Tour through our Members
