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You don’t have to visit in person to see this temple extraordinaire! An imposing stone chariot of Surya dev with twelve pairs of ornate wheels pulled by seven pairs of animated stone sculpted horses – these kind of pictures and videos help, don’t they - but to really understand the words ‘majestic’ and ‘grandeur’ applied to carved or sculpted distinguished marvels centuries ago you would have to vsiti the Konark Sun Temple. How to reach Konark Sun Temple?

Konark Sun Temple was built on the shoreline of the Bay of Bengal at a sacred site known as the realm of the Sun or Arka Kshetra – the sea has retreated over centuries and the temple is now a few kilometers far from the sea.

Konark temple’s location is far from mountains or hills and hillocks - many wonder how did the builders or artisans bring material from distant places to construct such a large temple complex – how did they manage to place carved blocks at such height few centuries back. It is believed that to transport stones and material they used rafts along the ancient river routes which are not in existence anymore and have disappeared in course of time. How to reach Konark Sun Temple?

The pair of 12 intricately carved wheels at the Sun Temple - many may see them as ruins – each of them is actually a glorious reminder of the the boundless creative energy of artisans and their impressive collective contribution standing majestically over centuries on the sandy coast of the Bay of Bengal.

There are a few symbolic interpretations of wheels as well as their number – 12 pairs of wheels could represent the zodiac signs; or the wheels could represent 12 months – or you could interpret it as 24 hours in a day. Many would simply look at them and see – ‘Wheels of Life!’

Spokes of these wheels served as sundials in ancient time – and its 8 spokes per wheel are referred to as praharas approximately 3 hours long.

The seven pairs of animated horses that drive the stone chariot - stand for the days of the week or the seven colors of the rainbow – or the seven spirited horses of Surya Dev’s Ratha are Gayatri, Brihati, Ushnih, Jagati, Trishtubha, Anushtubha and Pankti. How to reach Konark Sun Temple?

Literally every bit of space is carved and sculpted celebrating life - Sculptures at Konarak Sun Temple edged with their exquisite latticework and scroll art - depict mythical celestial beings, birds and animals, decorative floral and geometrical motifs apart from deities and apsaras 


Konark does have explicit scenes of passion that adorn its walls - an uninhibited celebration of sexuality as seen at Khajuraho though much smaller in scale and number and these maithuna images are seen right next to panels celebrating day to day life. How to reach Konark Sun Temple?

The Kalinga artisans wanted to personify God Surya as a unified manifestation of the Trinity- the morning sun is identified with Brahma, the creator; the midday-sun is identified with Vishnu, the preserver; the evening sun is characterized by Shiva, the destroyer – and thus they sculpted three images of Surya on three sides of the main temple. How to reach Konark Sun Temple?

Prabhat Surya - the sculpted Surya of the south, is showered with rays of morning-sun and is signified with a portayal of youth and energetic dynamism describing Surya Prabhat.
Madhyanna-Surya or midday Surya dev is standing expressing full vigor on the western side.
Astachala-Surya or the setting Sun found on the northern wall - Sun god ending the day by riding on the back of the last horse shown with folded legs - or being tired after a tough day.

Entering from the eastern side of the Konark temple you are welcomed by Gajasimha and the first part of the temple you see is Natya Mandapa or NatyaShala - a hall with finely carved pillars. Next you see is the Jagamohan or the mukhashala - where the visitors or worshippers gather and this is merged with the sanctum sanctorum or the garbhagriha of the Sun temple. Over the grabha griha you would have found a curvilinear tower or rekha deul in ancient times - there is very little of it intact today.

It was ingenuity of architectural design of its time – as the Kalinga artisans constructed the Rekha deul, Mukhasala, Natya-Mandir on the eastern gate in such a way that the first ray of the Sun would fall on the masataka - head of the god Surya placed on the throne of the main deul passing through all the doors of all these temples. How to reach Konark Sun Temple?

Frame of a triumphant stallion at the Konark Sun Temple in Orissa.

The well adorned imperial war-horse though broken - speaks for itself - so magnanimously sculpted - blatantly portraying strength and valor.

The adept Kalinga sculptor/s have shown that they can bestow even a war-horse with human expressions - every muscle in the ‘ashva’s’ body is thrusted towards portraying triumphant action by crushing the enemies under his hooves with the same fire and passion of his warrior master. How to reach Konark Sun Temple?

The Sun Temple of Konark represents a striking creation of ancient Kalinga architecture as it depicts grace and the rhythm of life. At one end you would be astonished by endless intricate carvings - almost done with a jeweler's exactitude and in contrast you turn towards these audacious free standing sculptures exceptionally mammoth in size. How to reach Konark Sun Temple?

What do temples of Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh or Rani ki Vav stepwell in Gujarat and Konark Sun Temple have in common - stunning celestial beauties that grace these monuments - you could call them apsaras or surasundaris each distinct from the other with their postures or expressions.

Konark may be famous for its imposing proportions or architectural grandeur - what should stump most of us is its fluid carvings - intricate images of apsaras or surasunadris, male and female musicians, mythological narratives, hindu divinities, nagas as well as panels of flowers and animals. How to reach Konark Sun Temple?

You can find sculpted hindu divinities – Shiva, Parvati Vishnu, Narasimha or Krishna and Gajalakshmi in Jagmohana as well as on the medallions of the chariot wheels. Jagamohana also has sculptures of Indra, Agni, Varuna, and Âdityas known as Vedic deities.

During the times of Narasimhadeva river Chandrabhaga was flowing near Konark Sun Temple and so were the roaring waves of the Bay of Bengal. In the 13th century the towns around these banks both the river and the sea were flourishing as they were important – domestic and international trade centers of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.

Grand and impressive even in its ruin, today the Konark temple represents unparalleled sculptural brilliance of the Kalinga architectural conception. Built as a colossal celestial chariot carrying Surya dev with twelve pairs of lavishly carved wheels, drawn by seven galloping horses. How to reach Konark Sun Temple?

This sculpted frame is that of a musician playing bansuri at Konark Sun Temple in Orissa.

Konark Archaeological Museum houses interesting collection of statues, panels and objects excavated from the Konark site including the structural parts that have fallen from the Sun Temple. It also houses manuscripts and paintings apart from the sculptures.

Konark Archaeological Museum was established in 1968 and is maintained by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI).

This sculpted frame is of Batuk Bhairav which was found at the Konark Sun Temple and now preserved in its Museum.

This particular sculpture almost 5 feet in diameter - a stone carved lotus - with its petals bearing images of apsaras or surasundaris in various dancing postures. - is placed in front of the Natya Mandapa - Scholars believe that this may have been the center stone on the top of the roof of the Natya Mandir at Konark Sun Temple.

Some historians believe Natya Mandapa never had any roof.

How to reach Konark Sun Temple?

You should explore the Konark Archaeological Museum as it has many freestanding statuary and panels – it is located within the same compound as the temple. How to reach Konark Sun Temple?

This sculpted frame is of Surya Dev which was found at the Konark Sun Temple and preserved at its Museum.

Note - Legend states that the place where Konark Sun Temple has been built is sacred and even Śiva and Surya have performed severe penance in this Arka Kshetra. According to Puranas this Arka Kshetra has healing attributes and also absolves all sins.

How to reach Konark Sun Temple by air? Which is the nearest airport to Konark Sun Temple?
The nearest airport to Konark Sun Temple is Bhubaneswar International Airport which is at a distance of about 63 km

How to reach Konark Sun Temple by train? Which is the nearest railway station to Konark Sun Temple?
The nearest railway station to Konark Sun Temple is Puri Railway Station which is at a distance of about 35 km.

Best time to visit Konark Sun Temple is in between the cooler months of November to February.