Arrive in the eastern part of India, and there is no way you can resist visiting the Konark Temple of Odisha. Located in one corner of the golden triangle of Bhubaneswar, Puri and Konark, the beautiful Konark Temple is a superb manifestation of the art and culture existing during the rule of King Narasimhadeva of the Ganga dynasty. The Konark Temple is dedicated to the Sun god and symbolizes the huge chariot of the Sun god, Surya. Originally built with 12 pairs of wheels made of stone and seven horses galloping towards the east, the Sun temple is a joy to behold, especially against the rising or setting sun in the horizon, in the early morning or evening.
There are many stories related to the building and destruction of the Konark temple. But despite the ravages of time, the Sun temple still stands erect and is an architectural marvel to behold even today. It embodies the Dravidian and the Orissan styles of architecture and is now a World Heritage Site. Voted by many people as one of the Seven Wonders of India in a poll conducted by a popular TV channel, the Konark Temple is sure to impress you with its sheer size, unique appearance and skillful craftsmanship. Although the original Konark Temple is in ruins today, you can visualize the beauty and the dimensions of the Sun temple in its time.
The Konark Temple represents the passage of time, which is controlled by Surya, the Sun god. This is symbolized by the huge chariot and the galloping horses in the Sun temple. The chariot in the Konark Temple is drawn by seven horses which point towards the seven days of the week. The 12 pairs of wheels of the Konark Temple signify the twelve months of the year. Further, there are 8 spokes on each wheel of the Sun temple, which pertain to the eight stages in a woman’s life. The chariot in the Konark Temple seems to be headed towards the east which embodies dawn of a new day.
The Konark Temple has always been a top priority in the itinerary of every traveler to Odisha. Being well connected by roads from the capital city of Bhubaneswar, the Sun temple is just over an hour’s drive from it. You will fall in love with the lovely stone carvings and the simple charm of the Konark temple.
So come and visit the Konark temple! Discover the rich culture and the heritage of India in the Sun temple of Konark!
The Konark Temple has always been a top priority in the itinerary of every traveler to Odisha. Being well connected by roads from the capital city of Bhubaneswar, the Sun temple is just over an hour’s drive from it. You will fall in love with the lovely stone carvings and the simple charm of the Konark temple.
So come and visit the Konark temple! Discover the rich culture and the heritage of India in the Sun temple of Konark!
