Konark Temple |
Konark
Sun Temple |
Introduction
The
Sun temple of Konark, also known as Black Pagoda, is the crowning
glory of the temple architecture of ancient Orissa. Built in A.D.
1250, during the reign of the Eastern Ganga king Narasimhadeva
- I, centuries of myth and legend shroud its history. The design
is the celestial chariot of the Sun God pulled by seven exquisitely
carved ornamented horses, strained on twelve wheels on either
side. The huge monolithic wheels represent time, unity, completeness,
justice, perfection and movement and each wheel stands for a fortnight
and each horse a day of the week. The walls of the temple contain
superb carvings of divine, semi divine, human and animal figures
amidst floral and geometric ornamentation. Although the main sanctum
is in ruins, the 39 meter high audience hall , the dance hall
and the ruined temple of Chhaya Devi are still there. Two horses
and two monolithic elephants, exhibit the dynamism of the sculpture.
Tourist
Information
Open
on all weekdays from sunrise to sunset. Entry fee for those above
12 years : Rs. 5.00. Free entry on Fridays.
Best
time to visit
November to February
Access
Road
It is well connected by all -weather motorable roads to Puri,
Bhubhaneswar and other parts of the state. It is 65 km from Bhubhaneswar,
35 km from Puri and 85 km from via Pipli. Rail The nearest railheads
from Konark are Bhubhaneswar and Puri. Air Nearest Airport is
Bhubhaneswar.
Where
to stay?
Konark offers various government approved accommodations at Panthanivas,
Travellers lodge, Inspection Bungalow, yatri Nivas. Also one can stay in the choicest hotels of : Bhubaneswar Hotels, Puri Hotels
Places
to visit
Kuruma, Chaurasi, Ramachandi, Astranga, Kakatapur, Pipli
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