Gwalior

Konark Surya Mandir Post -21

Image credit to Varun Shiv

Konark Surya Mandir is one of the most prominent tourist destinations of India. It lies in the Puri district of Odisha state.

As usual, I reached the counter of the hotel. Manager asked me-Where are you coming from and where will you go. Please note down in the register. I picked up the pen and noted in scribbled writing. The hotel assistant holds on my beg and told me to come on sir.

I followed him and repeated the question of Manager-where are you coming from and where will you go? That was not an easy question. Nobody knows where he comes from and where he will go. Don't go in the spiritual field. Thinkers and Rishi(saint) are searching the answer to the question.

The simple answer at present is, I am a tourist and want to see Konark Surya Mandir. That all. Surya(sun) represent time and the cycle of time never stopped. It leaves signs on everything. Konark is also not untouched.

I am in front of Konark Surya Mandir. It is a delightful day.  The pleasant breeze blowing on around us.

Where is Konark Surya Mandir

Image credit to Chaitali Chowdhury

Konark is at Puri district of Odisha state. The distance between  Konark and Puri is 35 Km and 60 Km from the capital Bhubaneswar. Konark has not its owned railway station. Puri is the nearest railway station. Buses taxi is easily available from here as well as from Bhubaneswar. The nearest airport is Beeju Patnayak airport Bhubaneswar.

Who built Konark Surya Mandir

Image credit to Arpn Mahajan

Konark Surya Mandir built by King Narsingh Dev of the Gang Vansh dynasty during 1243-1255 CB. It is said that the temple completed in 12 years with the help of 1200 helpers and Karigar (architect).

Story Behind the Temple

Image credit to Piyal Kundu

Samba who was the son of Lord Krishna and Jamvati was handsome like his father but notorious. He misbehaves with Narad Muni. He kidnapped Laxmana, daughter of Duryodhana during her Suvayambar. Lord Krishna was angry, he gave him cursed of leprosy.

As per the advice of Katak Rishi, Samba came to Mitravan on the bank of Chandrabhaga river. He mediated and pray to God Sun for up to 12 years. After 12 years God Sun pleased. One day when he was bathing in the river, he got an idol of Sun. He established the idol in the temple of Mitravan. He cured well. That is why the temple is called Surya(sun) temple. Even today, a Mela(fair) on seventh Shukl Saptmi of Magh (the seventh day of the moon rising in the month of February)is arranged every year on the day Samba got the idol of God Sun.

History of Konark Surya Mandir

Muslim ruler Tugan Khan attracted Konark. King Narsingh Dev defeated him. All the Muslim army fled away. Narsingh Dev was a great follower of God Sun. On the victory, he decided to build Konark Surya Mandir.

The Chariot Shape of the Temple

Image credit to Varun Suresh

Konark temple is dedicated to God Sun. The temple built in a Rath(chariot) shape.Seven horses pulling the chariot of Sun. The chariot has 12 pairs of wheels on both sides of the base. There are eight spokes in a wheel. In our Hindu mythology, we assume that God Sun every day goes east to west on his chariot which pulled by seven horses. At present only one horse is available. Others became history.

The times divided into the various units, such as years, month, day, hours and Prhar (period of three hours), etc.

Seven horses are a symbol of seven days. The twelve pairs of wheels denote twelve months of Hindu calendar. The eight spokes of the wheel are a symbol of Prhar (three hours time period) of the day. Amazing.

All Span of Life on Walls

Image credit to Piyal Kundu

The black granite stone temple walls depicted all parts of human life. Rich, Poor, soldier, farmer, musician, and dancer carving beautifully on the walls.

King taking the education of fighting with his guru. Soldiers showing battle skills. Farmers are busy with their cultivation. Dancers are in a dancing position. It is felt that all the stone walls became a canvas.

The erotic posture of couples reminds Khajuraho temple. So many idols of Hindu God/goddess such as Ganesha, Varun, Laxmi, Indra, Parvati, and Saraswati depicted on the wall. Gandharv, Kinner, Nag(snake) and Apsara(nymph) also shown beautifully.

The art is very fine which shows a different part of a woman as a mother, as a wife, as a dancer.

The big statue of lion and elephant pressing a man on the entrance gate. The lion is a symbol of proud and the elephant shows wealth. All these things are shown on the wall and on the gate are the reason for endearment and affinity. They (all these things) moved a man got towards degradation. Leave all these things outside of the temple and enter the temple.

The face of the temple is towards the east. The sun rays across Jagmohan Mandap (hall) and falls on Shikhar of the main temple. There are the main three-part of the temple. Deaul Garbh Garh, Natya Mandap, and Jagmohana Mandap.

The idol of Sun in three forms i..e. Balavastha (childhood), Yuva Avastha (young) and Proda Avastha (maturity) were present in the temple. Unfortunately, these are removed at present.

Tragic Story of Son

It is said that the magnetic stone at Shikhat (top)and in other walls was not set up properly. The idea was that an iron idol should be placed at a floating condition without any support.

The main architect Bisu Maharana was anxious. On the other hand, the deadline was given by the king coming in the end. Dharmpad son of Bisu Maharana, came in the temple and solved the problem.

Again all the architects were worried that when the king heard that the problem of the none setting of stone solved by a child, it means the architect team not working properly. The boy committed suicide in the temple to escape his father from King's anger.

That is the reason why worship could not start in the temple.

Dhoop Ghadi (Sundials)

Image credit to Mohamed A

The wheel and its Spock work like a Dhoop Ghadi. The sunlight falls on Spoke show the correct time. Eight spoke divided a day into a Prhar (period of three hours time ). If you take the help of a guide, he will show you accurate time. You can compare it with your watch.

Magnetic Stone in Temple

As stated above, a powerful 52  ton magnetic stone used in Shikhar (pinnacle) of the temple. Magnetic stone was also used in another wall.

Due to the magnetic effect idol was in a floating position in air without any assistance. The magnet was so powerful that it attracts and pulled ship going in the sea. It may be the purpose of the use of a magnet to trace out the ship of the enemy.

Later on, the magnet has been removed. The adjustment of balance disturbed. The wall of the temple fell down. The beautiful temple turned in ruin condition.

All these are in public story No authentic record available. The sand was filled in the temple to protect the wall of the temple.

Maya Devi Temple

The temple is of goddess Maya Devi. She was the wife of God Sun. The idol of Surya along with Varun and Vishnu are established here.

Vaishnava Temple

In the premises, a Vaishnava temple is also present. The idol of Balram and Varaha are established in the temple. It is strange the idol of Lord Krishna is not available in a Vaishnava temple. The possibility is that the idol may have vanished.

Light and Sound Show

A light and sound show arranged every day in the evening. The show described Konark Sun Temple as well as the culture of Odisha. Don't leave this show.

Konark Baech

Image credit to 29 Paayal

Konark beach is also known as Chandrabhaga beach. The river meets in the sea at this place. The beach is a walkable distance from the temple. The beach is clean calm and no crowd.

Every year during the month of December the sand art festival arranges here. Many artists from all parts of India as well as from foreign took part in the festival. It is a matchless program. Artists created them on the sand.

The beach is on the way towards Puri. If you are going to Konark to Puri, you must stay for some time.

Image credit to Mihir Kumar Nayak

Last but not least, Konark is a world heritage site from 1984. Please come here and become a witness of this world fame proud of India. It may be possible that the hotel manager asked you-where are you coming from and where will you go?

Kindly share the post among your friends by pressing the sharing button below. Make comments in the comment box so I can improve the next post. You will also like my previous post- Lingraj Temple Bhubaneshwar.