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1. Sun Temples, Konark

2. Introduction
• Konark Sun Temple is located in East Odisha near
Puri.
• Built in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva I (CE
1238-1264) of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.
• Belongs to the Kalinga school of architecture
• Temple is Dedicated to Surya
• One of the largest sun Temple in India.
• Famous not only for its architecture but also for
sculptural work and decoration.
• It is 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, corner and Arka meaning sun.
• Earlier, sailors once called Black Pagoda because it was
supposed to draw ships to the shore and cause
shipwrecks
• 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 Odisha temples

5. Discovery & Restoration
• James Fergusson (1808-1836 CE), visited
Konarak and 1837 CE and prepared a drawing.
• He estimated the height of the portion still
standing as being between 42.67 and 45.72
metres.
• Fergusson wrote that a local raja had removed
some sculptures to decorate a temple in his own
fort.
• Locals also removed the fallen stones and
taking out the iron cramps and dowels.

6. Sun Temple: Present condition
• The deul including the
magnificent shikhara has been lost with time.
• At present, only the Jaganmohan (Mandapa)
and
• The pillared bhogamandapa (refectory hall),
also known as the natamandapa (dancing hall)
survived.
• This part contains numerous sculptures of
dancers and musicians on its walls and
pillars, in front, remain.
• Life-size images of Surya

7. Old Pictures

8. Ariel view

9. • The Main Sanctum (Rekha Deula/Garbhagruha) has fallen off.
• The Mandapa (Jagmohan) survives,
• Small portions of the Dancing Hall (NatyaMandir) have survived.
• The Temple compound measures 857 ft (261 m) by 540 ft (160 m).
• The alignment of the Sun Temple is in 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. Rekha 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
huge niches depicting Surya.
• Panchratha on the plan.
• The east-facing Jagamohana
has a huge pyramidal roof,
three entrance
• The Natamandira stand as a
separate structure in front of the
main temple. It had an
approachable flight of steps on
four sides.

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
Natamandapa
• Mandapa stands on
a high, intricately
carved platform
• The platform is
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 of temple is plain.

17. Sculptural
Art

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 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 used

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

27. Any Questions ?