Sun Temple, Konark – The Temple Complex

Sun Temple, Konark – The Temple Complex

This temple is facing towards east so that the first rays of the sunrise strike the main entrance. The temple complex was enclosed within a wall 865 feet (264 m) by 540 feet (160 m), with gateways on three sides during ancient time. The temple was made from three types of stone. Chlorite was used for the door lintel and frames as well as some sculptures. Laterite was used for the core of the platform and staircases near the foundation. Khondalite was used for other parts of the temple.

None of these stones occur naturally nearby, and the architects and artisans must have moved the stones from distant sources, probably using the rivers and water channels near the site. The temple was originally constructed at the mouth of the river Chandrabhaga, but the waterline has receded since then. The temple is in the form of a giant ornamented chariot with twenty four wheels, drawn by seven horses to represent the mythological chariot of the Sun god.

The elaborately carved stone wheels are nearly 12 feet (3.7 m) in diameter. The wheels are sundials, which can be used to calculate time accurately to a minute. The temple is standing over a high platform (pista), which again is provided with a low upana. The vertical face of the upana is richly carved with war procession consisting of infantry, cavalry, elephants; palanquin, umbrella bearer, men and animal carrying supplies, hunting scenes, royal, and other sculptural motifs.

The temple consists of rekha vimana, pidha jagamohana, nata mandapa and bhoga mandapa. The temple is pancharatha on plan and panchangabada in elevation. The vimana, jagamohana, nata mandapa and bhoga mandapa are square on plan. The vimana and the jagamohana in the same axial alignment forming the component part of one architectural scheme are designed in the form of a grand chariot. The nata mandapa is a detached structure a few metres away to the east of the jagamohana.

The nata mandapa stands on a high, intricately carved platform. The relief on the platform is similar in style to that found on the surviving walls of the temple. It is said that the Aruna stambha stood between the main temple and the Nata mandapa. The Aruna sthamba was moved to the Jagannatha at Puri sometime during the troubled history of this temple. The jagamohana is about 128 feet (39 m) tall, still stands and is the principal structure in the surviving ruins.

The jagamohana has three tiers of six pidhas each. These diminish incrementally and repeat the lower patterns. The pidhas are divided into terraces. Images of musician figures can be seen on each of these terraces. The entrance has been sealed and the interior is filled with sand to prevent it from collapsing. The rekha vimana is lost completely. It is estimated to have been 229 feet (70 m) tall. The main vimana fell in 1837. It is believed that the top of the sanctum had a 52 ton magnet.

It is said that the entire structure has tolerated the harsh conditions, especially of the sea because of this magnet. It is believed that due to the attraction of the magnet the main idol of the temple remain suspended in the air. The magnet and idol do not exist anymore. It was surrounded by subsidiary shrines containing niches depicting Hindu deities, particularly Surya in many of his aspects.

The exterior of the temple is decorated with sculptures of Hindu deities, apsaras, male & female musicians holding various musical instruments, life of the royals, images from the daily life & culture of the people (artha and dharma scenes), nayikas, teaching scenes, architectural motifs like pidhamundis, khakharamundis & vajramundis, various animals, aquatic creatures, birds, legendary creatures, friezes narrating the Hindu texts, floral motifs and geometric patterns.

The parsvadevata niches of the temple are housed with three beautiful images of Sun god. The upana (moulding) layer at the bottom of the platform contains friezes of elephants, marching soldiers, musicians, and images depicting the secular life of the people, including hunting scenes, a caravan of domesticated animals, people carrying supplies on their head or with the help of a bullock cart, travelers preparing a meal along the roadside, and festive processions. 

The temple is also known for its erotic sculptures of maithunas. These show couples in various stages of courtship and intimacy, and in some cases coital themes. The gateways of the temple are depicted with large sculptures of life-size lions subduing elephants, elephants subduing demons, and horses. The upper levels and terrace of the temple contain larger and more significant works of art than the lower level.

These include images of musicians and mythological narratives as well as sculptures of Hindu deities, including Durga in her Mahishasuramardini form, Vishnu in his Jagannatha form (Vaishnavism), and Shiva as a (largely damaged) Linga (Shaivism). Some of the better-preserved friezes and sculptures were removed and relocated to museums in Europe and major cities of India before 1940. There are Hindu deities depicted in other parts of the temple.

Some of them are the medallions of the chariot wheels of the Surya temple, anuratha artwork of the jagamohana, show Vishnu, Shiva, Gajalakshmi, Parvati, Krishna, Narasimha, and other divinities. Sculptures of Vedic deities such as Indra, Agni, Kubera, Varuna, and Adityas can be seen on the jagamohana. The notable sculpture in this temple is a colossal idol of Surya in the southern niche.

It is also one of the very few sculptures in India depicting a Surya wearing boots. The Surya is depicted standing on his chariot drawn by seven horses. The entire sculpture stands on a chlorite pedestal and is made from a single stone. It is 3.38 metres high, 1.8 metres wide and 71 cm thick. He is seen wearing a short lower garment in the drawer style (one end of the garment drawn between the legs and tucked in the waist at the back).

He wore a girdle at the waist, a necklace of five beaded strings with a central clasp, armlets, earrings and a crown. The hair is worn in a bun on the crown of the head. A halo is seen around the head, with tongues of flames protruding outwards. He holds lotus stalks in both his hands and is surrounded by several attendant figures, including celestial dancers and the king offering obeisance along with his family priest.

Chayadevi Temple:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/08/chayadevi-temple-konark-odisha.html

Vishnu Temple:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/08/vishnu-temple-konark-odisha.html

Temple Kitchen:

This structure is situated to the south of the bhoga mandapa. It was discovered in excavations in the 1950s. It includes means to bring water, cisterns to store water, drains, a cooking floor, depressions in the floor probably for pounding spices or grains, as well several triple ovens (chulahs) for cooking. This structure may have been for festive occasions or a part of a community feeding hall. This structure may have been added a little later than the original temple.

Well 1:

This well is located north of the kitchen, towards its eastern flank, was probably built to supply water to the community kitchen and bhoga mandapa. Near the well are a pillared mandapa and five structures, some with semi-circular steps whose role is unclear.

Well 2:

This well and associated structures are situated in the front of the northern staircase of the main temple, with foot rests, a washing platform, and a wash water drain system. It was probably designed for the use of pilgrims arriving at the temple.

Konark Interpretation Center:

The Interpretation Center has five galleries with interactive exhibits and multimedia displays. The galleries are devoted to the history, culture, and architecture of Odisha, as well as sun temples across the world.

Sound & Light Show:

A sound and light show narrates the historical and religious significance of the Sun Temple in the evenings in front of the temple complex. This show will not be conduction if it rains. High-definition projectors, with state-of-the-art 3D projection mapping technology, are used to project images onto the monument.

Auditorium:

A film about the history, evolution and greatness of Konark Sun Temple is screened in the auditorium.

Konark Archaeological Museum:

The collection of the fallen sculptures, architectural fragments and inscriptional stones are kept in the Konark Archaeological Museum. This Museum is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.