The Fabulous ‘Corner’ Sun Temple of Konark

The name ‘Konark’ is derived from two Sanskrit Words of ‘Kona’ and ‘Arka’ which mean ‘Corner’ and ‘Sun’ respectively. 

Konark Temple is one of the Best Religious Edifices of the World and according to the poll conducted by N.D.T.V., one of the Prominent T.V.Channels of India, it is One of the Seven Wonders of India.

Located at the Village of Konark, 35 km from Puri and 65 km from the Capital City of  the State of Orissa, India, it is One of the Most Sought-After Tourist Destinations of Orissa.  It. is also called  ‘Black Pagoda’ due to its black colour as it is built with black granites and seen black by sailors from distance and they only named it so.

It has been constructed on or about 1250 A.D. by King Narasimhadeva-I of the Ganga Dynasty.

Built up in the pattern of a gigantic chariot drawn by seven horses with twelve pairs of  wheels eloquently and elaborately decorated with, the Sun Temple is a magnificent structure of architecture.  Unfortunately thanks to various reasons now out of the Seven Horses only one horse remains in its old gold glory and grandeur.

Its wonderful style of architecture mirrors the Passage of Time which according to the Hindu Faith is under the control of Sun God. The Seven Horses of the Temple Represent the Total Number of Days in a Week. The Twelve Pairs of Wheels seen below the Main  Temple Represent the Twelve Months of the Year. The Eight Spokes found in Eeach of the Wheels Stand for the Eight Stages in the day of a Hindu Woman.

The Outstanding Features of the Temple are its Marvelous Erotic Sculptures on the Second Level of the Porch and Beautiful Carvings On the Entire Area of Main Temple, Dance Hall or Natya Mandap, etc.

Nevertheless Dance Hall is wholly a different building standing proudly  in front of the Main Temple Building. The Main Entrance Point to the Temple is just in front of  Natya Mandap which is also called  the Hall of Offering or’ Bhogamandapa’.

Though the Temple is deprived of  its original structures  due to various factors like man-made destructions, annihilation inflicted upon by natural catastrophes, etc, the remaining part of the edifice proclaims the extraordinary artistic qualities of the artistes of the bygone era.

The Temple is also the Venue for the Annual Odissi Dance Festival, various other Dance Festivals, etc.

How To Reach

By Air

The Nearest Airport is Bhubaneshwar, 65 km

By Rail

The Nearest Railway Station is Puri, 35 km

By Road

Buses and taxis are easily available from Puri.  Though buses are available from Bhubaneshwar frequency is less.

Drive from Puri takes about an hour whilst drive from Bhubaneshwar takes approximately 3 to 4 hours.

Davis  Akkara