Konark Temple

Konark Sun Temple, India

Konark, the crowning glory of the temple architecture of Orissa , is a chronicle in stone of the military processions, hunting scenes, religious, social, domestic aspects of thirteenth century India. Each and every portion of the temple is sculpted with an unsurpassed beauty and grace which include the images of deities, celestial and human musicians, dancers, lovers, and myriad scenes of courtly life. The seven horses represent the days of the week and the twelve wheels represent the twelve months. Each wheel posses eight spokes which symbolise the eight prahars or segments of the day. There are three images of Sun God on the northern, western, and southern facades of the temple tower. These images are carved in a green chlorite stone.

Originally the sun temple constituted three main components. The main tower of the temple is now collapsed but originally was 227 feet high. At the base of this collapsed tower were three subsidiary shrines, which had steps leading to the Sun God images. The third major component was in the front of the temple, the detached hall of dance or the Natamandira. On either side, the main Konark temple stands high with colossal figures of royal elephants and royal horses.

The Open Air Auditorium, against the back drop of Sun temple, is the venue of annual Konark Dance Festival which features the traditional dance form of Orissa, Odissi and other traditional Indian dance forms.