Konark Sun Temple,Darshan information

Situated at Konark, Odisha, Konark Sun Temple is an ancient and famous Sun temple in India. It is believed that the King Narasimhadeva I of Eastern Ganga Dynasty built the temple in 1255 AD. The temple is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Location Odisha, Puri, Bhubaneswar

Legend

There are various myths centering the temple of Sun God. According to the legend, once Samya, son of Lord Sri Krishna was cursed by Saint Narad with leprosy for some reason but when Narad understood that Samya

was innocent, Narad asked Samya to visit a nearby forest and pray to the Sun God. After 12 years, the Sun God became satisfied with his prayers and appeared before him. On the next morning when Samya went to the Chandrabhaga river to bath, he found that his leprosy is gone and he also found a stone idol of the Sun God- Surya Dev. He took it to his hermitage and started worshipping the lord. According to another legend, on the day before the inauguration ceremony of the tempe, Dhatmapad, son of chief architect went up to the top of the Vimana to plant the final stone figurine and he fell from the temple top and died. According to many, Dharmapad committed a suicide by falling from the temple. But whatever may be the reason, it is said that from that day onwards the temple is marked as inauspicious and cursed. That's why no worshipping is processed in the temple since then.

Architecture

The eminent Kalinga architecture is found at its finest forms in the Konark Temple of Odisha. Though, most of the temple fell because of various reasons anticipated such as foreign invasions, wrong engineering and of age. The main sanctum sanctorum, popularly known as the Vimana in the Kalinga art is around 70 meters. The audience hall or the Jagamohana is around 30 meters tall and this is the only section that still lies in the reminiscence of the old premise. The temple has many significant artwork especially, the stone structures of lifelike Sun God, lions, horses and many erotic sculptures of men and women and devdasis (human consorts of the Lord).

Culture

The rich culture of Puri reflects the true spirit of the Odisha Society. Puri, the temple town of the state is the pious place where the Jagannath cult and the different other Indian cults, especially Vaishnavism are synthesizing. Besides the strong religious aspects, the temples of Puri are the assets of India that tells us the long lost century old stories. Pilgrims from other states and abroad visit the Shreekhetra all throughout the year and especially during the Ratha Yatra festival, Nabakalebar (executed in every 12 years), Chandana Snana and for different other religious zests.

The second most striking thing of their culture to witness is the enriched art. The art and crafts of Puri district is simply breathtaking. Catching a glimpse of the handloom silk and cotton sarees to the pipli handicrafts can be an enticing exploration.

When it comes to performing art, Odisha has set its benchmark with the famous Odissi dance. The gala dance celebration at the Sun Temple of Konark is worth mentioning in this regard. Every year the Konark Dance Festival is attended by many dance lovers across the country and the world to witness the hallmark performing art at the awe-inspiring shrine.

Darsan Info

Open for visitors from 6.00 AM to 8.00 PM. Indians are charged with Rs 10 per head while the foreign visitors are charged with $2 per head as entry fee to the Konark Temple.