The Sun Temple of Konark is one of the most fascinating historical monuments. It is an architectural masterpiece that attracts crores of visitors every year. The temple is dedicated to the Sun God Surya and is significant for India. UNESCO declared the Konark Sun Temple a World Heritage site in 1984 CE.
The Sun Temple architecture has seven horses and large wheels depicting the chariot of Surya Dev, most of the temple is now damaged, the rest we see is left, which is 100 feet tall.
Besides its architecture, the temple has a huge spiritual and cultural significance.
According to the archaeologists, the Sun Temple Konark was built around the 13th century which was built by the emperor of the Ganga Dynasty King Narasimhadeva.
Significance of the Sun Temple Konark
The Sun Temple of Konark has a huge significance for the people of India. This temple is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Temple of Konark is one of the most architecturally beautiful temples in India. The Temple is dedicated to the Sun God Surya Dev who is the controller of day and night.
This temple has huge cultural and spiritual significance for Hindus in India. Every year Lakh of visitors come to visit this temple from different parts of the World to witness this architectural masterpiece. The Temple went through much damage from the 15th to 18th century.
Every year, in February, the temple witnesses a large gathering of Hindu pilgrims for the Chandrabhaga fair. Early in the morning, the sunlight falls on the main entrance of the temple as the temple faces towards the east direction.
History of The Sun Temple Konark
The Temple has a very interesting story behind it. King Narasimha Deva, the emperor of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty, built this temple around 1300 AD. He constructed the temple near the old temple of the Sun God. Some say that the builders reconstructed the old temple of Surya to create a new one.
The Sun Temple of Konark almost took 16 years and 12000 artisans to complete the construction of the temple. King Narshimha Deva was a great devotee of God Surya Dev who built this temple as the holy seat of Sun God Surya.
Architecture of the Sun Temple of Konark
The Temple of Konark has a very beautiful and mesmerizing architecture that attracts lakhs of visitors from all around the world every year. The builders constructed the Sun Temple of Konark in Kalinga architecture, the traditional Odisha architectural design. Artists carved the walls of the temple with many paintings of Hindu deities.
The Sun Temple of Konark is spread over about 26 acres of land. It required three types of stone Chlorite, Laterite, and Khondalite rocks in the construction of the temple. The temple features a main sanctuary called Bada Deul or Rekha Deul, which is surrounded by smaller structures.
The main Sanctuary, said to have reached a height of 225 feet, was destroyed in the early era. The temple depicts a giant chariot of the Sun God, Surya Deva, with 12 pairs of intricately carved giant wheels made of stone and 7 large horses pulling the chariot.
The engineers designed the temple with methods that allow the early morning sunlight to fall on the main entrance, as the temple faces east. The morning sunlight illuminates the entrance and makes the temple look more beautiful. The main entrance of the temple has two lions made of stone standing on both sides.
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