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The Konark or Konarak Sun Temple is dedicated to the Hindu sun god Surya and is the most famous of the few sun temples built in India. It is conceived as a giant stone chariot with 12 wheels. It is located on the coast of Odisha, around 35 kilometres northeast of the city of Puri (earlier Orissa). It was constructed in 1250 CE by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty (r. 1238-1264 CE) (8th century CE – 15th century CE). In 1984 CE, UNESCO designated the temple’s current status as a World Heritage Site. Although much of the temple complex is now in ruins, what remains attracts not only tourists but also Hindu devotees. Konarak is a classic example of Hindu temple architecture, complete with a massive building, sculptures, and artwork on a variety of subjects.
Odisha Temple Architecture and the Eastern Ganga Dynasty
The Eastern Gangas founded their empire in the Kalinga region of eastern India (present-day Odisha state) at the “beginning of the ninth century CE” (Tripathi, 368), though their fortunes improved after the eleventh century CE. Anantavarman Chodaganga (1077 – 1147 CE) was the greatest ruler of this dynasty, ruling for about 70 years. He was not just a superb warrior, but also a patron of the arts and a strong supporter of temple construction. He started the huge Jagannatha temple at Puri, which “stands as a splendid testimony to the artistic vitality and prosperity of Orissa throughout his reign” (Majumdar, 377). His successors carried on the tradition, the most noteworthy being Narasimhadeva I, who not only finished the Jagannatha temple but also the temple at Konarak.
Konarak’s Architecture
The term ‘Konark’ is derived from the Sanskrit terms kona (corner or angle) and arka (the sun). The principal deity was thus the sun god, and the temple was erected in an angular format. The temple is designed in the Kalinga or Orissa style, which is a subtype of the nagara style of Hindu temple construction. The Orissa style is thought to represent the nagara style in its purest form. The nagara style was one of three forms of Hindu temple building in India, with the dravida style predominating in the south and the vesara style predominating in central and eastern India. The visual representation of factors such as ground plan and elevation distinguishes these styles.
The nagara style is distinguished by a square ground layout that includes a sanctuary and assembly hall (mandapa). A massive curvilinear tower (shikhara) inclines inwards and is capped in terms of elevation. Despite its location in the eastern area, Odisha adopted the nagara style. This could be because, because Monarch Anantavarman’s territories spanned many locations in northern India, the style prevailing there had a significant impact on the architectural plans of the temples that the king was about to build in Odisha. Once adopted, the same custom was carried on by his successors, and additional additions were made over time.
The duel, or sanctuary holding the deity covered by a shikhara, and the jaganmohana, or assembly hall, are the two principal features of the Orissa style. The latter has a pyramidal roof constructed on receding platforms called as pidhas. Internally, both structures are squares and share a platform. The exterior is varied by projections known as rathas or pagas in this design, which generate light and shade effects. Many temples constructed in this style have their own unique peculiarities, and Konarak is no exception.
Conclusion
Surya, or Aditya, the Sun God, holds a major place in Hindu beliefs in India. There are other Sun Temples in India, but the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha stands out for its spectacular construction, which has won it the designation of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
