Konark Sun Temple

Konark Sun Temple History, Timings, Pooja details

Konark Sun Temple History

This temple was built during the reign of the Eastern Ganga King Narasimha Deva I during 1238 – 1264 AD. The temple tower which was 60 mt high has fallen but the Assembly Hall is still intact. The Konark Sun Temple is Conceived of as the Chariot of the Sun God, Drawn by Seven Horses. The base is an enormous platform with 12 giant wheels, each 3 mt high, on either side. The Natya Mandir and Bhog Mandir were detached structures all enclosed within a courtyard measuring 263.6 mt by 164.5 mt.

As per the folklore, Sambudu Manasaputra of Lord Krishna relieved from Leprosy on taking a holy dip in Chandrabhaga. He found an Ido of Sun God in the Chandrabhaga Sarovar. The King installed the Idol of Konark and offered prayers believing that it is Sun God who blessed him.

It is stated in Purushottama Mahatya that Lord Vishnu after killing the Demon Gayasura, left his Conch in Puri, Disc in Bhubaneswar, Mace in Jajpur and Lotus in Konark.

The Exterior has been sculpted and moulded either into abstract designs or fantastic human and animal forms, and every topic and subject known to the Hindu mind has been sculpted on the rocks.

The sailors called this weather-beaten workmanship as Black Pagoda because of its colour.