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 has a huge significance for India. UNESCO declared the Konark Sun Temple a World Heritage site in 1984 CE.
The architecture of the Sun Temple features seven horses and large wheels, depicting the chariot of Surya Dev. Most of the temple has now been damaged, leaving only the remaining structure, which stands 100 feet tall.
Besides its architecture, the temple has a huge spiritual and cultural significance.
According to the archaeologists, the Temple was built around the 13th century which was built by the emperor of the Ganga Dynasty King Narasimhadeva.
Where is the Sun Temple of Konark Located?
The Sun Temple is Located in Konark town, Puri district of Orissa state in India. The Temple is surrounded by greenery all around it and is situated on the coastline of The Bay of Bengal.
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 Sun Temple is one of the most architecturally beautiful temples in India. The temple dedicates itself to the Sun God Surya Dev, who controls 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 Sun Temple of Konark has a very interesting story behind it. King Narasimha Deva, the emperor of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty, built this temple around 1300 AD. Builders constructed the temple near the old temple of the Sun God. Some say that they reconstructed the old temple of the Sun God to create a new temple.
The Temple 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 Konark
The Sun Temple 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. The artisans carved the walls of the temple with many paintings of Hindu deities.
The Temple covers 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, surrounded by smaller structures.
People say that the main sanctuary had a height of 225 feet, which destroyed in the early era. The temple depicts the form of a giant chariot of the Sun God Surya Deva, with 12 pairs of intricately crafted giant wheels made of stone and 7 big horses, which pull the chariot.
The architects designed the temple with such engineering methods that the early morning sunlight falls 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.
The sculpture shows both lions standing on the elephant, with a man positioned under the trunk of the elephant. The temple has a Nata Mandir which is a dance hall, a temple with all nine planes, and a big Bhoga Mandapa or Kitchen.
Entry Fee and timing of the Sun Temple of Konark
The Entry fee for the Sun Temple of Konark is RS 40 for Indian civilians and Rs 500-600 for foreign visitors. Make sure to bring your one ID for the entry. The timing or opening hours of the Sun Temple Konark are from 6 am to 8 pm. The temple is open for 7 days a week.
Best Time to Visit Sun Temple of Konark
You can visit the Temple at any time or season. Most people suggest visiting the temple from October to February. During these months the weather conditions are so pleasant and enhance your experience of visiting the Sun Temple.
Visit the temple early in the morning before the sun rises to witness the most beautiful scenery of the Sun temple when the sunlight directly falls on the main entrance of the temple and makes the temple look more elegant and mesmerizing.
You can also visit the temple during the Chandrabhaga fair which is a Hindu festival where a large number of devotees gather to celebrate this festival.
How to Reach the Sun Temple Konark
The Sun Temple is located in the town of Konark in the Puri District in the Orisa state of India. Reaching the Sun Temple is easy for the people of the western part of India as the temple is located near the coastline of the Bay of Bengal. You can reach the Temple with the following modes of transport.
By Air:
You can book a direct flight to Biju Patnaik Airport in Bhubaneswar which is the nearest airport to the Sun Temple. This airport has good connectivity to the major cities of India.
You can book a taxi or cab from the airport directly to the Sun Temple .
By Train:
The nearest railway station to the Sun Temple is the Puri Railway Station which is at a distance of 30 km. If you love traveling by train you can book a ticket from your nearest railway station to the Puri Railway Station. The Train is the most cost-effective mode of transport.
By Bus:
If you love traveling by bus you can book a bus ticket from your city to Konark town. People consider the bus the most joyful mode of transportation.
Nearby attraction to the Sun Temple of Konark
The Orissa state has many sacred pilgrim spots and Hindu temples which you can visit after visiting the Sun Temple.
Follow are some nearby attractions to the Sun Temple of Konark:
1. Chandrabagha Beach:
The ChandraBagha beach is the best spot to spend some time to remove all the tiredness of the journey. This beach is situated 3 km from the Sun Temple, on the coastline of the Bay of Bengal. Here you can enjoy the best scenery of nature and click pictures. The ChandraBagha is a less popular beach in India, giving the experience of enjoying a quiet beach.
2. Archeological Museum Konark:
The Konark Archaeological Museum is situated on the Campus of the Sun Temple. This museum consists of many old sculptures and architectural pieces found during the clearance of the Sun Temple. This museum gives you all the knowledge about the Sun Temple with visuals of statues and ancient items.
3. Ramachandi Temple:
The Ramachandi temple is situated on the bank of the Kushabhadra River and 7 km from the Konark. This temple is more ancient than the Sun Temple and it has huge significance for the Hindu Devotees.
Top Interesting Facts About the Sun Temple of Konark
Follow are some interesting facts about the Sun Temple of Konark:
- UNESCO recognizes the Sun Temple of Konark as a World Heritage Site, making it one of the most significant temples in India.
- The devotees worship the Sun God, Surya Dev, as the main deity of the temple.
- The builders constructed the temple in the Kalinga architectural style, now the signature design in Orissa.
- The Temple portrays a large chariot of Sun God Surya Dev, with large stone wheels, pulled by seven stone horses.
- The Seven Stone Horse represents the 7 days of the week.
- King Narasimhadeva employed 1,200 workers to build the Sun Temple of Konark, and they took 12-16 years to complete the construction.
- People say that the Sun Temple of Konark generates a huge magnetic field, which helps align the temple with the Earth’s magnetic field.
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The temple faces east, allowing the morning sunlight to illuminate the main entrance, making it appear as if emerging from the ocean.
- The Giant wheels of the Sun Temple of Konark work as a sundial which can show the precise timing with accurate minutes.
- The Temple was built by the emperor of the Ganga Dynasty King Narshimhadeva in 1250 CE.
- The Sun Temple is mainly constructed in Khondalite rocks.
- There is a gathering hall in the Sun Temple of Konark named Jagamohana which is 128 feet tall and still standing strong.
- Every February, the temple hosts a large gathering of Hindu devotees for the Chandrabhaga Mela.
- Many beautiful paintings of different Hindu deities craft the walls of the Sun Temple of Konark.
- The authorities named the Seven horses of the Sun Temple Gayatri, Brihati, Ushnih, Jagati, Trishtubha, Anushtubha, and Pankit.
- The 12 wheels of the Sun Temple represent the 12 months of the year.
Conclusion:
The Konark Temple is one of the most prominent temples of Hindus. UNESCO has recognized the Sun Temple of Konark as a World Heritage Site. The emperor of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty, King Narsimhadeva, built the Sun Temple of Konark in 1250 CE. It is one of the most architecturally beautiful temples in India.
The main deity of the Sun Temple is the Sun god Surya Dev who is the controller of day and night and one of the most important deities in the Hindu scriptures. This temple is an architectural masterpiece that attracts lakhs of visitors every year from all around the world. Besides its architecture, the temple has a huge significance for the Hindu devotees.
The temple looks more magnificent in the morning by the morning sunlight which is the best time to visit the temple to witness the most beautiful scenery of the temple. There are many beautiful attractions near the temple which one can visit after the temple.
Hope this article helps you to get a brief on the history and important facts of the Temple.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Sun Temple of Konark was built by the emperor of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty King Narsimhadeva in 1250 CE.
The Sun Temple of Konark is located in the Konark town of Puri district of Orissa State in India. It is situated on the coastline of the Bay of Bengal.
The best time to visit the Sun Temple of Konark is early in the morning because the early morning sunlight falls on the main entrance of the temple which makes the temple look more beautiful and elegant.
The entry fee for the Sun Temple of Konark is 40 RS for the Indian visitor and 500-600 Rs for the foreign visitors.
The intersecting facts about the Sun Temple of Konark are that the temple has 12 giant stone wheels on both sides of the temple that work as sundials and show the precise time with accurate minutes.
The Seven horses who are pulling the chariot of Sun God Surya Dev represent the seven days of the week.