This presentation is prepared for the BA students to get basic and general information on the subject. This presentation is incomplete and students advised to get the further and proper information from subjective and recommended books and research articles.

1. Sun Temples, Konark

2. Introduction
• Konark Sun Temple, located in the East Odisha near Puri.
• Built in 13 century by King Narasimhadeva I (AD 1238-1264) of
the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.
• The Sun temple belongs to the Kalinga school of Indian temple
architecture
• Temple is Dedicated to Surya
• One of the largest sun Temple in the India.
• The temple is famous not only for its architectural but also for
sculptural work and decoration.
• It was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1984.

3. Meaning & Significance of the Temple
• The name Konark is derived from the two
words Kona meaning, corne and Arka meaning sun.
• Sailors once called Black Pagoda because it was supposed to
draw ships into the shore and cause shipwrecks
• The temple is an great example of Orissan architecture of
Ganga dynasty.
• The temple is designed in the shape of a colossal chariot.
• There are two rows of 12 wheels on each side of the temple.
• The seven horses are said to symbolize the seven days of the
week.
• Each wheel is about 10 feet high,.
• According to Bayachkada bahi 1200 Odishan artists took 12 years
for the construction of this gigantic structure.
• According to Kapila Vatsyayan the sun temple of Konark follows the
ancient text Silpasarini.

4. Architectural Variations in Odishan temples

5. Present Condition
• The deul including the magnificent shikhara has
been lost with time.
• At present, only the jagaamohana (Mandapa) and
• The pillared bhoga mandapa (refectory hall), also
known as the nata mandapa (dancing hall) is
survived.
• This part content numerous sculptures of dancers
and musicians on its walls and pillars, in front,
remain.
• Life size images of Surya

6. Discovery & Restoration
• James Fergusson (1808-1836 CE), visited Konarak in
1837 CE and prepared a drawing.
• He estimated the height of the portion still standing as
being between 42.67 and 45.72 metres.
• By 1868 CE, the site had been reduced to a mass of
stones covered by trees here and there.
• Fergusson wrote that a local raja (king) had removed
some sculptures to decorate a temple he was building
in his own fort.
• Besides the raja, the 'locals were also not inactive in
removing the fallen stones and taking out the iron
cramps and dowels' (Mitra, 14).

8. • Located on the
shoreline, now a
little over 3 km
from the sea

9. • The Main Sanctum has fallen off.
• The Mandapa survives in its entirety,
• Small portions of the Dancing Hall (Natya Mandir) have survived.
• The Temple compound measures 857 ft (261 m) by 540 ft (160 m).
• The alignment of the Sun Temple is on the East-West direction.
• Estimated height of
Vimana could have
been 229 feet (70 m)
• The
mandapa (jagamoha
na), is about 128 feet
(39 m) tall.

10. Elements of the
Temple
1. Deula,
2. Jagamohana,
3. Natamandap and
4. Bhogmandapa.
• Jagmohan is bigger than Sanctum (Deula)
• Square Base
• The above units lie east-west axis.
• Surrounded in compound wall.

13. Sun Temple, Konark
• Temple was constructed on a high,
intricately carved platform.
• Temple is surrounded by enclosed
wall (area: 856 x 540 ft).
• Sanctum (Deul) was surrounded
by subsidiary shrines containing
niches depicting Surya.
• Panchratha on plan.
• The east facing Jagamohana has a
huge pyramidal roof, three
entrance
• The Natamandira stand as separate
structure in front of the main
temple. It had approachable flight
of-steps on four sides.
• The Kalinga style of art reached
the pinnacle of perfection with the
erection of the Sun temple at
Konarka.

14. Jagmohana (Mandapa)
• 30 meter high
• Only Surviving Structure
• Pyramidical roof
• Has three tiers of
six pidas each
• Each terraces has figures
• Sculptures all along

15. Natya Mandapa
• At the front of
Jagmohan
• On the east side of
the main temple is
Nata mandira
• Mandapa stands on
a high, intricately
carved platform
• The platform id
highly decorated
• Superstructure not
survived

16. Art
• The Sun temple of Konark is remarkable for its variety of
sculptures.
• The images of Surya
• The Navagraha sculpture.
• Erotic figures: various stages of courtship and intimacy.
• Flora and fauna: Plants, Birds, beasts, aquatic animals, wild
and domestic animals like lions, elephants and horses
• Others: Mythological figures, geographic motifs, etc.
• Social life: Decorative bodies, male and female musicians
holding various musical instruments, hunting
scenes, transport, festivals, etc.
• Interior is plain.

18. Main Sculptures
• Main deity: Surya
• Sub main deities:
1. Shiv
2. Vishnu
3. Narsimha
4. Durga
5. Gajlakshmi
6. Parvati
7. Kuber
8. Agni
9. Varuna
10. Aaditya

19. Small sculptures
• Every bit of space available has been covered by the sculptors
• The temple is famous for its erotic sculptures, which can be found
primarily on the second level of the porch structure.
• Endless variety of themes, with figures indulging in
song and dance
• The finished sculpture has minute details like
jewellery-quality and other miniature details.
• The platform contains friezes of
1. elephants,
2. marching soldiers,
3. musicians, and images depicting the secular life of
the people,
4. hunting scenes,
5. a caravan of domesticated animals,
6. bullock cart,
7. travellers preparing a meal along the roadside,
8. and festive processions etc.

20. • A colossal idol of Surya in the southern
niche of the sanctuary is a characteristic
sculpture of this temple.
• It is also one of the very few sculptures
in India which show a god wearing boots.
• The Surya is depicted standing on his
chariot drawn by seven horses.
• wearing a short lower garment
(antariya) and many ornaments.
• The hair is worn in a bun on the
crown of the head.
• The entire sculpture stands on a chlorite
pedestal and is made from a single piece.
• It is 3.38 metres high, 1.8 metres wide
and 71 cm thick.

21. • Vyala are regarded as masterpieces of
the sculptural art of the Odisha region
• Lions standing on crouching elephants
• The entrance is guarded by two
giant lions, which are each shown
crushing a war elephant

22. • It has 24 wheels
which are nearly 12
feet (3.7 m) in
diameter and are
pulled by seven
horses.
• Each wheel has a
diameter of 9 feet,
9 inches, with
8 spokes.

24. The temple was made from three types of stone.
1. Chlorite: For sculptures, door lintel and frames
2. Laterite: used for the core of the platform and staircases near the foundation.
3. Khandolite: used for construction of the temple.
No mortar was use

26. Conclusion
• The history of Odishan temples, attained its climax at Sun
Temple Konark in 13th Century.
• It marks the highest point of achievement of Kalinga
architecture.
• The temple depicting the grace, the joy and the rhythm
of life all its wondrous variety.
• Fergusson to conclude that “Odishan temples form one of
the most compact and homogenous architectural groups in
India.”

27. Any Questions ?