{"id":54,"date":"2017-11-10T17:58:05","date_gmt":"2017-11-10T12:28:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/puriholidayresort.com\/blog\/?p=54"},"modified":"2017-11-10T17:58:05","modified_gmt":"2017-11-10T12:28:05","slug":"konark-sun-temple-shooting-breeze-magnificent-art-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.puriholidayresort.com\/konark-sun-temple-shooting-breeze-magnificent-art-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Konark Sun Temple \u2013Shooting the Breeze with Magnificent Art Work"},"content":{"rendered":"

They say that a poet or a writer has the ability to smith the words for feelings that arise on witnessing something extraordinary and when the great Rabindranath Tagore said<\/p>\n

\u201cHere the language of stone surpasses the language of human.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

to describe the beauty and marvel of Konark Temple<\/strong>, he very accurately and exactly elucidated the feelings of the viewers who find it difficult to pour appreciation for this structural marvel for they are not just amused but also are at loss of words.<\/p>\n

Konark undeniably narrates the story its brilliant and highly skilled architects through the elaborative stone carvings. Believed to be built in 1255 CE by Narasimhadeva 1<\/em> of Eastern Ganga Dynasty, on the banks of vanished Chandrabhaga <\/em>river, this allure made out of Khondalite Rocks is a UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/strong> with listing under Seven Wonders Of India<\/strong> multiple times.<\/p>\n

Konark- Demystifying the Name<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Konark holds its etymology in the combination of two Sanskrit words- KONA<\/em>, <\/strong>which means corner<\/strong> and ARK<\/em><\/strong>,<\/em> which means Surya<\/em>,<\/strong> the Sun God<\/strong>. Thus the name signifies that the temple is dedicated to Sun God.<\/p>\n

Konark is also known as Ark Khetra<\/em><\/strong>, again a name depicting a bond with Surya.<\/p>\n

Another name for Konark <\/strong>is Black Pagoda.<\/strong> The name was given by Portuguese because the temple is made out of black stones. On the contrary, the Jagannath Temple is known as White Pagoda. Both these structures were used as landmarks by the sailors.<\/p>\n

The Architectural Marvel <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Though many would assume that just like other temples in Puri, Konark is also famous because of being a religious place. However, it is not. Prayers and worshipping is prohibited in the sanctum and more than being a temple dedicated to Surya, it is the nonpareil architecture, beautiful carvings and engravings on the stones that make Konark artistry grandeur, reflecting\u00a0\u00a0 charm and grace even after being half deteriorated and in ruins and thus a must visit spot when you are there in Puri.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Konark Sun Temple<\/strong><\/p>\n

The sculptural work adorning the site, roaring of the sea waves at the adjacent Chandrabhaga<\/em> Beach, the lush greenery spread around and cool sea breeze, come together to enhance the splendour of Konark, leaving the onlookers mesmerized.<\/p>\n

Even after being so majestic and palatial, there is not just even a small or mole space that remains untouched of the any engraving or the carvings.<\/p>\n

The Figures, Engravings & Carvings and Structure of Konark<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Chariot Formation<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Surya<\/em> or Sun God in Hindu mythology owns a chariot, which is driven by Aruna.<\/em> And accordingly the structure of Konark is designed. The whole formation is thus in a form of a chariot- with 12 pairs of intricately carved wheels and pulled by set of 7 horses. <\/strong>Following the principle and traditional Kalinga architecture<\/strong> format, it is carefully oriented in a manner that the first rays of the sun strike the principal entrance. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Structures<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

The main sanctum,<\/strong> which is the Vimana,<\/em><\/strong> of the temple fell, and now, one can see only few of its parts remaining. The second is the audience hall or Jagamohana<\/em><\/strong> that can be spotted right before the vimana<\/em>. Nata Mandir, and Bhog Mandapa <\/em><\/strong>are structures completing the present day Konark.<\/p>\n

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Nata Mandir<\/em><\/strong> and Konark in the Background<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are rubbles of temples at the back of the main structure, believed to be of one of the wives of Surya- Mayadevi.<\/p>\n

Important Images and Sculptures<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

The three giant figures of Surya are significant images among so many intricate and erotic carvings and engravings that depict various day to day routine activities, the lifestyles and the beliefs of the then era. These three figures symbolise the origin of Surya as-<\/p>\n