PILGRIMAGE
IN INDIA
Konark Sun Temple:- Situated
near the sacred city of Puri
(Orissa), the Konark Sun Temple is an amalgamation
of
artistic craftsmanship and human endeavour, and marks the
highest point of achievement in Kalingan architecture so much
so, that UNESCO has declared it a World
Heritage Site.
Though accounts of the temple's origins remain
ambigous,
historical sources maintain that the temple was built by King
Narasimhadevan in the thirteenth century. It was constructed
in the form of a massive chariot with seven horses and twelve
wheels on each side, carrying the Sun god 'Surya' across the
heavens. The Sun god has been worshipped in India as early
as the Vedic period. Two lions safeguard the entrance while
a flight of steps lead to the to the main temple area. Some believe the
wheels to signify 24 hours of the day, while
others relate it to the 12 months of a year. The horses are deemed to
symbolize the seven days of the week. Sailors
once knew the temple as the Black
Pagoda and feared its power to cause ship
wreaks.
Legend:- Samba, the son of Lord Krishna took great pride in his beauty.
So much that he once committed a mistake of ridiculing
a sage called Narada. The sage, bursting with rage, hit upon an
idea to teach Samba a lesson. Somehow, the sage lured
the boy to a pool where his step mothers, the consorts of Lord Krishna,
were having bath. As Krishna got to learn of this immoral activity, he was inflamed
and cursed his son with leprosy. However, before long,
lord Krishna came to know that it was all
a premeditated plan of the mischievous Narada.
He suggested to his son that he go and worship
the Sun god, the healer of all diseases. Samba
followed the advise and spent 12 long years of penance and worship. Eventually,
Surya instructed Samba to go and take a dip into the sea at Konark. So
did the afflicted boy and surprisingly enough his leprosy
was cured. Elated Samba made up his mind to built a temple in honour of
Surya at the very spot. And that was how
the temple came into being.
Architecture of the Temple:- The
colossal structure with its though in ruins now, stands ovation
to Orissa's medieval architecture. Its architectural brilliance is
displayed in the interesting juxtaposition
of intricate and minute sculptural patterns to the free-standing
statues of an exceptional size. The wheels of this chariot
attract special attention being almost 10m in diameter and covered with intricate
displays of creative talent. The spokes of the wheels are used as sundials,
with their shadows predicting the exact time of the day. On the walls of
this temple one can witness beautiful
carvings, sculptures and bas-reliefs (figures
projecting from a plain background) depicting
images of god, goddesses, men, women and scenes from 13th
century social life. The architecture of the temple is
typified by its curved towers mounted by
cupolas with a pyramidal roof of sandstone ascending
to a height of around 30 metres. The temple stands
aligned in the east-west direction exemplifying
solitary majesty and splendour in the midst
of natural surrounding comprising of casuarinas
plantations and other trees native to the sandy soil of this region. The gentle
undulating topography of the Bay of Bengal coastline lends distinction to the
surrounding landscape.
Konark Festival:- The
Natya Mandir (Dance Hall) within the Sun Temple Complex hosts the Konark Festival
of Dances, in celebration of India's diverse dance forms
like Odissi, Bharatnatyam, Manipuri, Kathak
and Chau. The festival is usually held in the first week of February
and is attended by leading classical dancers,
connoisseurs, tourists and locals.
Best Time to Visit:- Being
close the sea, the climate of Konark is never very harsh. With greenery surrounding
the place, rainfall is heavy in Konark. The best season to visit Konark is
between October and March; however, one can go there throughout the year.
Location:- The
city of Konark lies in the eastern state of Orissa, India approximately 65
km from the capital Bhubaneshwar and 35 km from Puri.
Getting there and Around
By Air - The nearest
airport is the Biji Patnaik Airport at Bhubaneshwar,
which is well connected to most major cities
of the country like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.
By Rail - Nearest
railheads are found at Bhubaneshwar and Puri with long-distance trains connecting
them to all key cities of the Country.
By Road - Konark
is well linked through private buses as
well as those run by the Orissa
State Road Transport Corporation to all parts of the State.
Accommodation:- Konark
offers various government approved accommodations at Panthanivas,
Travellers lodge, Inspection Bungalow, yatri Nivas.There are thousands of
low budget and luxury Hotels too.
