The Konark Sun Temple

The Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century Hindu temple dedicated to the Sun God. Shaped like a giant chariot, the temple is known for the exquisite stone carvings that cover the entire structure. It is the best-known tourist destination in Orissa and has been a World Heritage Site since 1984.
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1.  KONARK SUN TEMPLE SUMIT SOURAV ORAON SCHOOL OF PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE VIJAYAWADA

2. INTRODUCTION This temple built in 1250 AD by the  Ganga  King  Narasimha Deva  is one of the grandest temples of India and was referred to as the  Black Pagoda . The ruins of this temple were excavated in late 19th century. The tower over the Garbagriha is missing, however the J agmohana  is intact. The Temple: The Konark temple is widely known not only for its architectural grandeur but also for the intricacy and profusion of sculptural work. The entire temple has been conceived as a chariot of the sun god with 24 wheels, each about 10 feet in diameter, with a set of spokes and elaborate carvings. Seven horses drag the temple. Two lions guard the entrance, crushing elephants. A flight of steps lead to the main entrance.

3. “In the details of measurements, it is mentioned that the once-existing kalasa and the lotus-finial, the padma-dvaja , were broken, though the iron rod called chumbaka - luha -dharana (magnetic iron rod), which most probably passed through the kalasa , was still in position” The nata mandir in front of the Jagamohana is also intricately carved. Around the base of the temple, and up the walls and roof, are carvings in the erotic style. There are images of animals, foliage, men, warriors on horses and other interesting patterns. There are three images of the Sun God, positioned to catch the rays of the sun at dawn, noon and sunset. All enclosed within a courtyard measuring 865 ft. by 540 ft.

4. ARCHITECTURAL DISCRIPTION All Orrisan Temple have Indo-Aryan style in which all temple have same architectural element and general character . The main structure in these religious temple are Deul and Mandapa is also known by the name of jagamohana .  The two other buildings usually supplemented where first Nat-Mandir or the Dancing Hall and second Bhog -Mandir or Hall Of Offering.  Three different types of stone were used. Chlorite  was used in the door-frame. Laterite  was used in the foundation staircase and the centre of the platform. Khondalite , the most usual kind, was used elsewhere. The stones were smoothly finished and then fitted together. They were laid horizontally, placed one upon another, and joined together with iron cramps and dowels. The workmanship was so perfect that the joints could hardly be seen. Designs were carved on them only after that.

5. THE TEMPLE COMPLEX 1.   MAINTEMPLE COMPLEX 1a. JAGAMOHANA 1b. GARBHA-GRIHA 2.   NAT-MANDIR 3.    BHOG-MANDAPA 4.   MAYADEVI TEMPLE 5.   VAISHNAVA TEMPLE

6. DEUL(GARBHA-GRIHA) IT WAS THE BIGEST STRUCTURE IN THE TEMPLE ARENA OF 70M IN HIGHT. IT WAS COLAPSED IN 1837. IN ITS THREE SIDES IT HAS THREE SUBSIDIARY SHRINES WITH STAIWAYS LEADING TO THE NICHES, EACH CONTAINING A LIFE SIZE IMAGE OF SUN GOD (MORNING , MID-DAY & SETTING SUN).MADE UP OF GREYISH-GREEN CHLORITE STONE

7. JAGAMOHANA IT IS A SQUARE PLAN BASED BUILDING OF 36X36 M AND 40M HIGH. FOLLOWING NAGARA STYLE. IT HAS LARGEST INTERNEL SPACE IN HINDU ARCHITECTURE OF 20 M Sq. IT HAS A VAST HALL INSIDE NO LONGER ACCESSEBLE. ITS CORBELLED ROOF, CARRIED ON FOUR MIGHTY PILLARS OF ABOUT 30 M HIGH HAVING

8. PRINCIPAL PART OF DEUL & JAGAMOHAN

9. NAT-MANDIR IT WAS BUILT ON THE SAME PRINCIAL AS OF JAGMOHANA STANDING ON A BASEMENT OR A PLINTH,THESE HALLS WERE INVARIABLY OF ONE STOREY ONLY,AND THE ELEVATION OF EACH CONSISTED OF TWO PARTS, A CUBICAL PORTION(BADA) BELOW, AND APYRAMIDIAL ROOF ABOVE. IT’S PYRAMIDAL ROOF STANDS ON THE FOUR-SQUARE SYSTEM OF ROOF IRON BEAMS. SHOWING GROUP OF FOUR PIER HAVING FOUR SQUARE SYSTEM OF ROOF IRON BEAM

10. The basements of the temple are decorated with a band of about 1452 elephants in different pose. In some places the king himself is seen moving on elephant's back, attendants holding the Raja- Chhatra (Royal Umbrella), warriors are found proceding on elephants and horses for a fight, holding swords and shields in their hands. Bears are chased by the hunters in the forest or killed with bow and arrow. The pathetic departing scene of an old lady going on pilgrimage, is most touching. She is seen blessing her son while the daughter in-law bows down to her feet and the grand child clings to her. The middle row of sculptures on the temple walls, is decorated with all sorts of imaginary figures like Gajasardula (lion upon an elephant), Naravyala (lion upon a man) and Nagamithunas with half-human and half-serpent couples, who fabulously live in deep waters of the sea, where they hoard their treasules . Male and female figures in different poses can also be seen in the same row. The next higher row contains a number of bigger sculptures, mostly erotic. In the superstructure, sandstone( khondolite ) blocks of the most ordinary type were used with close joints and secured with iron cramps, where necessary, while the foundation and the inner core were built with laterite stones. Since the quality of stones used in superstructure and for the motifs, were not very durable, they were protected by a thin layer of shell-lime plaster and decorated with beautiful and matching colours, which can still be seen in many places. It is evident that the ornamental designs and motifs in the walls were carved in situ, after construction works were over. SCULPTURES ON THE TEMPLE WALL

11. Figures playing different musical instruments on wall of Dancing Hall

12. Bear chased by Hunter Warrior on Horse Back Lady going on Pilgrimage

13. Lion upon Elephant Naga Mithuna Male Female Figure Erotic Figure Naga Mithuna

14. THE SCULPTURE OF THE SUN TEMPLE MASSIVE CARVING SHOWS HOW THE CUSTOM OFFICIAL OF RAJA IN HARBOUR NEAR KONARK RECEVING THE STRANGE ANIMAL FROM AFRICA.

15. Royal Guard of Konark- Lion Upon Elephant Upon Man The eastern gateway which is the main entrance to the temple compound, is decorated with Gajasimha (Lion upon an elephant) images, with outward faces, installed on two high stone-benches on either side of the passage. Two high-toned benches are also provided at the inner sides, possibly meant for the guards to sit.

16. GREAT WHEEL The wheels of the chariot are also symbolic and have been interpreted as the 'Wheel of Life'. They portray the cycle of creation, preservation and achievement of realisation. The diameter of each of the wheels is about nine (2.73 metres) feet and each of them has a set eight equal parts. They are elaborately carved all over. The thicker ones are all carved with circular medallions at their centres on the widest part of the face. The axels of the wheels project by about one foot from the surface, having similar decorations at their ends. The rims are carved with designs of foliage's with various birds and animals, whereas the medallions in the spokes are carved with the figures of women in various luxurious poses, mostly of erotic nature. These wheels may also possibly represent the twelve Zodiacs.

17. WAR HORSE A piece of massive rock-carving in which an aggressive horse stamping on the body of an enemy warrior. The seven horses, have been named in Bhagwat Gita, as ' Gyatri ', ' Usnika ', ' Anustuv ', ' Vrihati ', ' Pangti ', ' Tristup ' and ' Jagati ' which possibly stand for the rhythmic representation of the sacred verses of the Vedas.

18. ELEPHANTS OF THE KONARK TEMPLE The figures of elephants which had originally stood on the side walls of the flights of steps at the northern and southen sides of the Jagamohana , were found amidst the confused mass of debris. They are however, installed, in masonary platforms nearer to the compound walls, facing the main temple, but in fact, they are to face outwards, to welcome people coming in.