In this blog, we will discover the 10 most interesting facts about the Konark Sun Temple. Konark houses a marvelous and massive temple dedicated to Lord Surya. Besides a temple, it is an excellent example of engineering amalgamated with wonderful architecture.
FACT -1 The meaning of Konark
The first interesting fact about Konark Sun temple is about its name itself. The word Konark is made of two words: Kona and Arka. Kona means corner or angle and Arka means Lord Surya or Sun. Konark sun temple is located on the north side of Puri. In older times, the temple boundaries was touching the sea. And the rising sun from the sea side seems to be jumping out of the sea in that corner. The location of Konark signifies its name.
FACT-2 Who built Konark Sun Temple
The massive Sun temple was built in mid of thirteen century by King Narasimha Deva 1, the ruler of the Ganga Dynasty. The temple chief architecture was Bisu Maharana. He along with 1200 artisans completed this architectural marvel in the period of 12 years from 1243-1255 AD.
King Narasimha Deva 1 was a great worshipper of Lord Surya for which he wants to dedicate the most marvelous temple. He decided to make this temple after he defeated the Tughan Khan ( Governor of Bengal) at Katasin in 1243 A.D.
FACT-3 Konark Sun Temple represents the Lord Surya in all aspects
Konark sun temple is a splendid blend of Architecture-Art-History. It is a classic illustration of Kalinga Architecture. Known also as the “Black Pagoda”, it got its name due to its dark color.
Konark sun temple is so brilliantly conceptualized and realized on the shore of the sea that it looks as if the sun lord himself has appeared on the pious sand of Konark. The temple looks like a chariot of Lord Surya pulled by 7 horses, which represents 7 days in a week. The 12 pairs of wheels on this chariot depicts the 24 hours a day. Each wheel is carved with 8 beautiful spokes which represent the 8 Prahars ( 1 Prahar = 3 hours)of the day. The 3 Sun idols typically represent the early morning sun, sun during noon, and sun at sunset.
FACT-4 Konark wheels, the sundials
Each of the 24 Konark wheels is similar in their architecture. Each wheel has 8 wider spokes and 8 thinner spokes. Each day of 24 hours is divided between two wider spokes of 3 hours (180 minutes) each. The thinner spoke between two wider spokes is of 1.5 hours (90 minutes). There are a total of 60 small beads on the periphery of the wheel between the two wider spokes. Hence each bead represents 3 minutes. The Sundial shows time in anti-clockwise and the top center wider spoke represents 12 o’clock midnight. It will be surprising to know that the time shown by the Konark Wheel is very accurate.
FACT-5 The Sun god of Konark Temple
There are three idols of the Lord Surya at three different sides of the temple. These three idols of God are positioned in such a way that rays of the sun fall on each idol at dawn, noon, and evening.
- the Morning Sun depicts Lord Brahma, the creator;
- the Mid Day Sun depicts Lord Shiva, the destroyer and
- the Evening Sun depicts the Lord Vishnu, the preserver
The morning sun idol is also known as Prabhat Surya. During dawn, the idol is shining with the sun rays. It depicts the rise of energy, vigor and youth of lord surya and life.
The mid day sun idol or madhyanha surya looks full of energy and vigour. It shows the maximum energy of lord surya.
The evening sun or Astachala sun idol energy seems to be calmed . There is a different type of emotion on the face of idol of calmness and satisfaction. In Hindu Mythology, the wife of Lord Surya, goddess Sandhya came during dusk to welcome him. This satisfaction and completeness can be seen on the face of evening sun idol.
FACT-6 The Levitating Idol of Lord Surya
The very earliest implementation of Levitation has been done in Konark Temple. According to the legend, the Lord Surya idol was levitating in the air in the main temple (Deula). The complete Surya temple is made of a combination of magnets with stone. The khondolite (Sand Stone) and laterite stones are used in the making of the temple. The foundation and inner core are made of laterite stones.
At the top of the temple, there is a 52-tonne lodestone which provides enough magnetic pull to the special alloy lord Surya idol to suspend in the air against the force of gravity. The suspension of such a big idol in air by balancing the magnetic effect with gravitational pull is now also unimaginable. The same is already achieved so many years ago.
Fact-7 The Superstructure engineering
The complete superstructure engineering is very advanced at that time. Even today also that kind of engineering of structures is even difficult to imagine. Unlike other temples or structures which are built with heavy stones with proper cementing. Konark sun temple is built with stones clamped with iron beams which are held together at the top of the temple with the magnetic force of a 52-tonne big Lodestone. The same lodestone is providing the magnetic levitation effect to suspend the Lord Surya idol against the force of gravity.
Fact-8 The joint of stones in the superstructure
To reduce the usage of cementing agent i.e shell with lime, which will lose strength over the years. The stones are mirror polished on top surfaces to provide the same effect as two mirrors behave when they are placed over each other. Like if we place two thin specimen slides (glass) on each other, then only with a small drop of water, it will glue together very strongly. If we apply any normal force it is very difficult to detach from each other. They will only detach with the help of the shear force. The same concept is being applied while making a sun temple and other temples of Odisha in Kalinga Architecture. The mirror-finished stones will glue to each other with a small amount of cementing agent. The tangential forces are restricted from neighboring stones. All these techniques provided a strong superstructure.
FACT-9 The Real Architect of Konark Sun temple
Konark sun temple is not only famous for its exquisite architecture but also the stories behind the architect of this mammoth structure. As per the order of King Narasimha Deva 1, the best 12000 artisans been called for work. The total time period allotted was 12 years to complete the work. The construction work of Sun Temple of Konark was overseen by Sibei Samantray Mahapatra and Bishu Maharana as the chief architect.
The soil at the place of construction of Konark sun temple was not of good quality, instead it was offering many challenges even for putting the foundation of the temple. After using various techniques like starting the construction of temple by its periphery has made possible for the completion of this mammoth architecture of temple. However, it was around the finish of 12 years, but nobody of the artisans were able to successfully installing the Dadhinauti (the lodestone, magnet) at the top of the temple. This lodestone was pivotal for the temple construction and for installing the levitating Lord Surya Idol. With each day getting passed, all artisans were getting sad that they will not be able to complete the work assigned to them.
One fateful day, the son of Bishu Maharana who born the day when Bishu Maharana left home for work. Now the young boy was 12 years old and came to meet his father, since he knows that his father will return after the period of 12 years. When the young boy, Dharmapada met his father, his father was surprised to see him, still he was not so happy. On observing that, Dharmapada wants to know that, what is the reason for which his father who was eager to meet him was not happy. One night he overheard that all artisans including his father were sad that the installation of Dadhinauti is not successful after several attempts. Next-Day Dharmapada, a 12-year boy installed successfully the Dadhinauti and the temple construction was complete. AFter knowing the completion of the work the artisans along with Bishu Maharana were happy but they were having fear also that as per terms, only 12000 artisans should complete the work. If the king will know that the work involves another person other than the assigned ones, then they have to face the wrath of the king. On listening to this, Dharmapada decides to end himself to protect others. He jumped into the sea from the top of the temple. With this, the main architect of the great Konark Temple sacrificed his life for the happiness of others.
FACT-10 The Fall of Konark Sun Temple
What we see today at the Konark Sun Temple site are the remains of the main temple. Only the entrance to the temple is intact. The main superstructure with Levitating Lord Surya idol is not present. There are so many theories behind it.
According to one theory, due to the very strong magnetic power of the lodestone all the ships passing by the Konark temple will get wrong directions on compass. Due to this effect, Portuguese came and removed the 52 tonne lodestone along with lord surya levitating idol. After the removal of the lodestone, the superstructure loses its main strength and slowly due to the heavry winds , it falls apart. And only other structures were now present. According to legends, while carrying the Lord Surya idol back to Portugal, the Portuguese ships got unstable and they have to throw the idol in the sea itself.
