Sun Temple, Konark

28 Oct 2024 11:44:39 am

Tags : Sun Temple, Konark

Topic: Temples

Why in the news?

A tableau modeled on the Unesco heritage site of Sun Temple, Konark, won the best design prize at the Festival of India, Fremont in California (Silicon Valley) from the 60 tableaux showcased at the festival by different Indian states.
The tableau was made by volunteers of Festival of Globe (FOG), Odisha wing, and Cupertino-Bhubaneswar Sister City Organisation. FOG is a 32-year-old organization of Indian Americans of Northern California (FIA). It organizes Odisha-specific programmes for Federation of Indian Americans of Northern California (FIANC).

Source: The Times of India

About Sun Temple, Konark

It is located on the coastline of Odisha in Puri district.
It was built by King Narasimha Deva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty in 1244.
It was given the status of a World Heritage Site in 1984 by UNESCO.
Also called the Surya Devalaya, the temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Surya.
It is a classic example of the Odisha style of Architecture or Kalinga Architecture.
The temple complex has the appearance of a 100-foot high solar chariot, with 24 wheels and pulled by six horses, all carved from stone.
It is oriented towards east so that the first rays of the sunrise strike the main entrance.
Its wheels are sundials, which can be used to calculate time accurately to a minute.
Around the base of the temple, there are images of animals, foliage, warriors on horses and other interesting structures.
On the walls and roof of the temple, beautiful sensual figures are carved.
The temple, built from Khondalite rocks, is also known as\'BLACK PAGODA\' due to its dark colour.
It remains a site of contemporary worship for Hindus, during the annual Chandrabhaga Festival, around the month of February.