Konark City

Konark is better known for its Sun Temple dedicated to the Sun God or Surya. A masterpiece of Orissa's medieval architecture, it has been chosen as a United Nations (UNESCO) World Heritage Site. The city of Konark derives its name from Konarka, the presiding deity of the Sun Temple. The word 'Konarka' is actually a combination of two words, kona means corner and arka means sun, and hence, the word 'Konarka' means 'the sun of the corner'. Once a bustling port with good maritime trade relations with Southeast Asian countries, Konark was one of the earliest centres of Sun worshipping in India.

The place has been referred to in the Puranas as Mundira or Mundirasvamin, a name that was subsequently replaced by Konaditya or Konarka. Other religious texts also point towards the existence of a sun temple at Konark long before the present temple. The present Sun Temple was probably built King Narashimhadev I of the Ganga dynasty to celebrate his victory over the Muslims. The temple was deserted in the early 17th century after an envoy of the Mughal emperor Jahangir desecrated it. However, there is a legend, which says that the temple was constructed by Samba, the son of Lord Krishna who was afflicted by leprosy, brought about by his father's curse on him. After 12 years of penance, Surya, the Sun God, cured him and thus, he built an exquisite temple in his honor.

Shopping Attractions:
Stone and Wood carvings of Konark are worth consideration as are the Patta paintings and the famous applique work of Pipli along with many other handicrafts of Orissa are sure to be a long-lasting memento of the delightful trip to the city.

Prime Attractions:

Sun Temple:
The Sun Temple at Konark is a World Heritage Site. King Narasimhadeo (1238-64 AD) was the chief patron of the Konark Sun Temple. He wanted to build a shrine dedicated to the Sun God. There are a number of sun temples in India, but the most magnificent example of the vahana in India is undoubtedly at Konark. To simulate the appearance of a wheeled chariot, the longer sides of the platform over which the temple stands were decorated with a relief of 12 massive, beautifully carved wheels more than 10 feet (3 meters) in diameter. Each of these giant wheels is a faithful reproduction of the real thing in stone, complete with intricately carved hub, spokes, and pins. To complete the illusion of the solar chariot, colossal freestanding statues of seven galloping horses were installed before the main entrance. The parapets on either side of the flight of steps leading to the entrance too are actually a row of richly caparisoned, life-size prancing steeds straining at their harness.

The Orissa temples consist of a sanctum, one or more front porches (Jag Mandir) with pyramidal roofs, a dance hall (Nat Mandir), and a hall of offerings (Bhog Mandir) apart from the inner shrine (Garbhagriha) where the deity resides. The Deul (main temple), Jagmandir and Nat Mandir of the Sun Temple are covered with beautiful sculptural friezes and carvings. Konark chiefly consists of the chariot called 'the Black Pagoda' by the British, and its lofty ceremonial hall. The great cube of masonry forming the temple basement is ornamented with the amazing freestanding stone wheels. The lowest zone of this base has continuous elephant and hunting friezes (carved stone panels), among which one finds intriguing mythological beasts like the Gaja-Singha, a lion riding an elephant. A series of niches separated by widely projecting pilasters are full of superb erotic sculpture. The pyramidal roof which rises above this consists of corbelled vaulting with a pleasantly wavy curvilinear effect. Three distinct terraces recede to the huge stone lotus atop the shikhara.

Mayadevi Temple:
To the southwest of the temple, behind the sanctuary, are the remnants of another temple known as Mayadevi temple. The temple has controversies as to its conception. While some people think that the temple was dedicated to one of the Surya's wives, others differ in opinion and believe it to be an older version of the Surya Temple itself. It is carved with erotic sculpture, stone carvings of dancing nymphs, musicians, floral motifs, hunting and court scenes. Twin lions guard the entrance and on each side of this temple stand an enormous elephant and a warhorse trampling fallen warriors.

Archaeological Museum:
Just outside the Sun Temple, is the Archaeological Museum that houses many sculptures and carvings found during the temple excavations. The stone images of nine planet deities, the Navagrahas, which were originally set above the temple's ornamental doorways is now kept as a living shrine. The museum is open throughout the week except Friday.

Konark Beach:
Three kilometers from the temple, is the Konark beach or Chandrabhaga. Not only a walk on the beach is a plesant experience, people also flock to the place for a holy dip in the sparkling seawaters and roll in the white-grained sands. The Black Pagoda (The Sun Temple), the glorious and majestic edifice, stands frozen with its splendor as the cool blue sea and the rapid waves roll in and out complementing its serenity.

Konark Dance Festival:
A dance festival is held in an amphitheatre built near the Sun Temple every year in the month of December. Known as the Konark dance festival, the event brings together eminent classical dancers of India who perform various dance forms like Odissi, Bharatnatyam, Manipuri, Kathak and Chhow. The classical extravaganza is a journey through ecstasy, and a visit to Konark during this time offers you with a combination of art, craft, fun and frolic.

Magha Saptami:
Magha Saptami or the Chandrabhaga Mela is actually the Sun Festival held at Konark on the seventh day of the bright half of the month of Magha (that usually falls in January or February, according to the Hindu calendar). During this festival, the pilgrims bathe in the sea before sunrise and then proceed to the temple to worship.

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