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The third link in the Orissan Golden Triangle,
Konark, 35 km from Puri, is the
site of one of the most spectacular examples of religious architecture in
the world. The glorious ruins of the Konark Temple, dedicated to God Surya,
has become so renowned, even internationally, that it is now protected
under UNESCO's World Heritage Site Project. The Sun Temple, conceived as a massive chariot, hauling the Sun God
across the heavens by the mighty of seven splendidly carved horses,
standing aloft on 24 chariot wheels - intricately carved - symbolizing the
march of time, lies in partial ruin on Konark Beach. The temple is said to
have fallen into disuse after its desecration by the Muslims and time has
brought this immense structure to its present condition.  Adjacent to the
main temple lies the Nata mandira or the dance hall, intricately carved
with musicians and dancers in various poses from the original temple
dances. Today the amphitheater with the Sun Temple at the backdrop is the
venue for one of the most exciting dance festivals. The ancient stones
ring with the sound of ankle bells and the beat of the mridangam and
mardala as the exponents of classical dance take the stage during the
Konark Dance Festival in winter. The Sun Temple Museum run by the
Archaeological Survey of India has an excellent collection of sculptures
from the temple ruins. Konark beach offers beautiful sunset. Quieter than
Puri beach, its waters tend to be trickier- -even strong; swimmers need to
be wary. The immense backdrop of the Sun Temple looks breathtaking when
illuminated in the evening.
Places to Visit
Kuruma
8 kms from the world
famous Sun Temple at Konark, Kuruma is a small village. Recent excavations
here have brought to light the reminiscence of some ancient antiquities
like the image of Buddha seated in Bhumisparsa Mudra along with the image
of Heruka, and a 17 mtrs long brick wall (Brick size: 22 cm X 17 cm).
Scholars are of opinion that this was one of the sites containing Buddhist
stupas described by Hiuen T'sang. The place is approachable by jeep.
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.The Sun Temple at Konark with its fantastic loneliness on the wind swept sand
dunes of the Bay of Bengal fringed with palm and casuarina plantations is a
breath taking monument. 
Fashioned in the form of a chariot, drawn by seven
spirited horses, the temple is profusely sculptured with exquisite figures
and figurines fired by an astonishing energy trapped on stone. It is a
stunning master piece of the 13th century Kalingan style of art and is one
of the unrivalled technical marvels that the age has produced. Replete with
erotic sculptures, human beings in diverse forms and activities, depiction
of flora and fauna, long scroll of elephants, beasts and birds and life size
images of damsels playing on musical instruments in exotic rapture, the
monument stylised as it is, brings a sensuous beauty and creates a dream
land for the visitors.
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