Mystery of Konark Sun Temple

The Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century Hindu temple located in Konark, Odisha, India. It is dedicated to the Sun God and is built in the form of a huge stone chariot with 12 wheels and 7 horses. The temple was built during the reign of King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty and is considered one of the finest examples of temple architecture of Orissa. Today we will know through this post what is its secret.

Table of Contents

1. History of Konark Sun Temple
2. Mystery of Konark Sun Temple
3. Importance of Konark Sun Temple
4. The Wheel of Life, Death and Reincarnation
5. Best Time to Visit Konark Sun Temple
6. Konark Dance Festival
7. Unique Architecture of Konark Sun Temple

History of Konark Sun Temple

The Konark Sun Temple holds a rich history of destruction. The most popular theory is that it was destroyed by Muslim invaders, especially Kalapahada, who invaded Odisha in 1508 and destroyed many Hindu temples, including Konark. This theory is supported by historical evidence and the fact that many Hindu temples were destroyed during Muslim rule in Odisha starting from 1568. Another theory suggests that the temple was damaged by a loadstone placed on the top, which attracted passing ships and vessels, causing damage and eventually the collapse of the temple. However, there is no historical record of this event or the presence of such a loadstone. According to other theories the temple was destroyed by an earthquake or typhoon, but these are not supported by historical records or evidence. The exact reason behind the collapse of the temple remains a mystery, with various speculations and legends about its destruction.

Mystery of Konark Sun Temple

Despite 12 years and the hard work of 1,200 sculptors to build the temple, it was never fully completed or consecrated. According to legend, the son of the chief architect, a young boy named Dharma, gave his life to save the lives of the workers and complete the temple, but this is not historically verified.
There are conflicting accounts of how the temple fell into ruins. Some believe it was destroyed by natural causes such as a cyclone or earthquake, while others claim it was damaged by Muslim invaders or even the British due to the temple's powerful magnetic properties. The temple is said to have a giant magnet that kept the main idol of the Sun God suspended in the air. It is believed that this magnetic force also caused navigational problems for ships passing by, which led the Portuguese to remove the magnet, causing the temple to collapse. The doors of the temple have been closed for 118 years, and there are many legends and theories about what lies behind them, including the possibility of hidden treasure or the remains of the original idol. Despite the many mysteries, the Konark Sun Temple remains one of India's most impressive and mysterious architectural wonders, reflecting the pinnacle of Orissan temple design in the 13th century.

Importance of Konark Sun Temple

The Konark Sun Temple is an important cultural and architectural marvel, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its grandeur and cultural significance. Dedicated to the Hindu Sun God, the temple is one of the few Sun temples in India, with intricate carvings and a unique design resembling a chariot with 12 pairs of stone wheels and seven horses. Built around 1250 AD by King Narasimha Deva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty, it is an excellent example of Odisha style architecture or Kalinga architecture. The temple is a major pilgrimage site for Hindus and is considered a symbol of Indian cultural heritage, with its intricate carvings and sculptures depicting scenes from Hindu scriptures. The cause of its destruction is still unclear, with theories ranging from natural damage to deliberate destruction by Muslim armies. The temple has been partially restored by British India-era archaeological teams and remains the subject of ongoing conservation efforts. Additionally, it has a 35-minute light and sound show, which showcases its history and cultural significance through multimedia displays.

The Wheel of Life, Death and Rebirth

The Konark Sun Temple has 24 wheels, representing the wheels of the Surya Ratha of Lord Surya. These wheels represent the 12 months of the year and the 8 spokes represent the 8 prahars or time divisions of the day. The wheel was crafted with incredible precision, allowing sunlight to pass through it and create shadows that can be used to determine the exact time. The carvings on the wheels depict scenes from Hindu ancient stories, including images of gods and goddesses, animals and humans. The wheel is also believed to symbolise the cycle of life, death and rebirth.

Best Time to Visit Konark Sun Temple

The best time to visit Konark Sun Temple is during the winter months (October to March). This period has pleasant weather with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 29°C, making it ideal for sightseeing and exploring the temple complex. The winter season is also home to the annual Konark Dance.The festival also coincides with the Konark Dance Festival, which showcases India's rich cultural heritage.

Konark Dance Festival

The Konark Sun Temple is famous for hosting the annual Konark Dance Festival, a five-day festival held in December. The festival showcases various classical dance forms of India, including Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Manipuri, Kathak and Mohiniyattam, among others. The festival is organised by the Odissi Research Centre and Odisha Tourism and is held at the Natya Mandir, a magnificent 700-year-old dance hall within the temple complex.

Unique Architecture of Konark Sun Temple

Giant Chariot Design: The temple is built in the shape of a giant chariot that has 24 wheels and is pulled by seven galloping horses towards dawn, making it look like the Sun God is being carried to heaven.
Intricate Carvings: The temple is decorated with intricate carvings and sculptures depicting scenes from daily life, legends and divine beings. These carvings include erotic depictions, which are the hallmark of Odisha architecture.
Sun clock and timekeeper: The wheels of the temple served as sun clocks and timekeepers, allowing sunlight to pass through and determine the exact time by casting shadows.
Alignment with the Sun: The temple is aligned in the east-west direction, ensuring that the first rays of the rising sun illuminate the main entrance and the sanctum sanctorum.
Seven horses: The seven horses pulling the temple chariot symbolise the seven days of the week, adding to the grandeur of the temple architecture.
Pyramidal roof: This massive structure has a pyramidal roof made of sandstone that is 30 meters high, and is adorned with refined and cultured sculptures.
Magnetic stones: The temple's shikhara was built using 52 tons of magnets, resulting in the main idol of the temple appearing to float in the air.
UNESCO World Heritage Site: The Konark Sun Temple was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, recognising its cultural and historical significance.