The Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century Hindu temple dedicated to the Sun God. Shaped like a giant chariot, the temple is known for the exquisite stone carvings that cover the entire structure. It is the best-known tourist destination in Orissa and has been a World Heritage Site since 1984. #architectur #history #temple #india

1. SUMIT SOURAV ORAON
SCHOOL OF PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE VIJAYAWADA

2. INTRODUCTION
This temple built in 1250 AD by the Ganga King Narasimha Deva is one of the grandest
temples of India and was referred to as the Black Pagoda. The ruins of this temple were
excavated in late 19th century. The tower over the Garbagriha is missing, however the
Jagmohana is intact.
The Temple: The Konark temple is widely known not only for its architectural grandeur but
also for the intricacy and profusion of sculptural work. The entire temple has been
conceived as a chariot of the sun god with 24 wheels, each about 10 feet in diameter, with a
set of spokes and elaborate carvings. Seven horses drag the temple. Two lions guard the
entrance, crushing elephants. A flight of steps lead to the main entrance.

3. • “In the details of measurements, it is mentioned that the once-existing kalasa and the
lotus-finial, the padma-dvaja, were broken, though the iron rod called chumbaka-luha-
dharana (magnetic iron rod), which most probably passed through the kalasa, was still in
position”
• The nata mandir in front of the Jagamohana is also intricately carved. Around the base of
the temple, and up the walls and roof, are carvings in the erotic style. There are images of
animals, foliage, men, warriors on horses and other interesting patterns. There are three
images of the Sun God, positioned to catch the rays of the sun at dawn, noon and sunset.
• All enclosed within a courtyard measuring 865 ft. by 540 ft.

4. ARCHITECTURAL DISCRIPTION
• All Orrisan Temple have Indo-Aryan style in which all temple have same architectural
element and general character . The main structure in these religious temple are Deul and
Mandapa is also known by the name of jagamohana.
• The two other buildings usually supplemented where first Nat-Mandir or the Dancing Hall
and second Bhog-Mandir or Hall Of Offering.
Three different types of stone were used.
• Chlorite was used in the door-frame.
• Laterite was used in the foundation staircase and the centre of the platform.
• Khondalite, the most usual kind, was used elsewhere.
The stones were smoothly finished and then fitted together. They were laid horizontally,
placed one upon another, and joined together with iron cramps and dowels. The
workmanship was so perfect that the joints could hardly be seen. Designs were carved on
them only after that.

5. THE TEMPLE
COMPLEX
1. MAINTEMPLE COMPLEX
1a. JAGAMOHANA
1b. GARBHA-GRIHA
2. NAT-MANDIR
3. BHOG-MANDAPA
4. MAYADEVI TEMPLE
5. VAISHNAVA TEMPLE

6. DEUL(GARBHA-GRIHA)
• IT WAS THE BIGEST STRUCTURE IN
THE TEMPLE ARENA OF 70M IN
HIGHT.
• IT WAS COLAPSED IN 1837.
• IN ITS THREE SIDES IT HAS THREE
SUBSIDIARY SHRINES WITH
STAIWAYS LEADING TO THE NICHES,
EACH CONTAINING A LIFE SIZE
IMAGE OF SUN GOD (MORNING ,
MID-DAY & SETTING SUN).MADE UP
OF GREYISH-GREEN CHLORITE
STONE

7. JAGAMOHANA
•IT IS A SQUARE PLAN BASED
BUILDING OF 36X36 M AND 40M HIGH.
•FOLLOWING NAGARA STYLE.
•IT HAS LARGEST INTERNEL SPACE IN
HINDU ARCHITECTURE OF 20 M Sq.
•IT HAS A VAST HALL INSIDE NO
LONGER ACCESSEBLE. ITS CORBELLED
ROOF, CARRIED ON FOUR MIGHTY
PILLARS OF ABOUT 30 M HIGH
HAVING

8. PRINCIPAL PART OF DEUL & JAGAMOHAN

9. NAT-MANDIR
•IT WAS BUILT ON THE SAME
PRINCIAL AS OF JAGMOHANA
STANDING ON A BASEMENT OR A
PLINTH,THESE HALLS WERE
INVARIABLY OF ONE STOREY
ONLY,AND THE ELEVATION OF
EACH CONSISTED OF TWO PARTS, A
CUBICAL PORTION(BADA) BELOW,
AND APYRAMIDIAL ROOF ABOVE.
•IT’S PYRAMIDAL ROOF STANDS ON
THE FOUR-SQUARE SYSTEM OF ROOF
IRON BEAMS.
•SHOWING GROUP OF FOUR PIER
HAVING FOUR SQUARE SYSTEM OF
ROOF IRON BEAM

10. The basements of the temple are decorated with a band of about 1452 elephants in different pose. In
some places the king himself is seen moving on elephant's back, attendants holding the Raja-Chhatra
(Royal Umbrella), warriors are found proceding on elephants and horses for a fight, holding swords
and shields in their hands. Bears are chased by the hunters in the forest or killed with bow and arrow.
The pathetic departing scene of an old lady going on pilgrimage, is most touching. She is seen blessing
her son while the daughter in-law bows down to her feet and the grand child clings to her.
The middle row of sculptures on the temple walls, is decorated with all sorts of imaginary figures like
Gajasardula (lion upon an elephant), Naravyala (lion upon a man) and Nagamithunas with half-human
and half-serpent couples, who fabulously live in deep waters of the sea, where they hoard their
treasules. Male and female figures in different poses can also be seen in the same row. The next higher
row contains a number of bigger sculptures, mostly erotic.
In the superstructure, sandstone(khondolite) blocks of the most ordinary type were used with close
joints and secured with iron cramps, where necessary, while the foundation and the inner core were
built with laterite stones. Since the quality of stones used in superstructure and for the motifs, were not
very durable, they were protected by a thin layer of shell-lime plaster and decorated with beautiful and
matching colours, which can still be seen in many places. It is evident that the ornamental designs and
motifs in the walls were carved in situ, after construction works were over.
SCULPTURES ON THE TEMPLE WALL

11. Figures playing different musical instruments on wall of Dancing Hall

13. Bear chased by Hunter Warrior on Horse Back Lady going on Pilgrimage

14. Lion upon Elephant Naga Mithuna Male Female Figure Erotic Figure Naga Mithuna

15. THE SCULPTURE OF THE SUN
TEMPLE
MASSIVE CARVING SHOWS HOW THE CUSTOM OFFICIAL OF
RAJA IN HARBOUR NEAR KONARK RECEVING THE STRANGE
ANIMAL FROM AFRICA.

16. Royal Guard of Konark-
Lion Upon Elephant Upon
Man
The eastern gateway which is the
main entrance to the temple
compound, is decorated with
Gajasimha (Lion upon an elephant)
images, with outward faces, installed
on two high stone-benches on either
side of the passage. Two high-toned
benches are also provided at the
inner sides, possibly meant for the
guards to sit.

17. GREAT WHEEL
The wheels of the chariot are also symbolic and have been
interpreted as the 'Wheel of Life'. They portray the cycle of
creation, preservation and achievement of realisation. The
diameter of each of the wheels is about nine (2.73 metres) feet
and each of them has a set eight equal parts. They are
elaborately carved all over. The thicker ones are all carved with
circular medallions at their centres on the widest part of the
face. The axels of the wheels project by about one foot from the
surface, having similar decorations at their ends. The rims are
carved with designs of foliage's with various birds and animals,
whereas the medallions in the spokes are carved with the
figures of women in various luxurious poses, mostly of erotic
nature.
These wheels may also possibly represent the twelve Zodiacs.

18. WAR HORSE
A piece of massive rock-
carving in which an
aggressive horse stamping on
the body of an enemy warrior.
The seven horses, have been
named in Bhagwat Gita, as
'Gyatri', 'Usnika',
'Anustuv', 'Vrihati', 'Pangti',
'Tristup' and 'Jagati' which
possibly stand for the
rhythmic representation of the
sacred verses of the Vedas.

19. ELEPHANTS OF THE
KONARK TEMPLE
The figures of elephants which had
originally stood on the side walls of the
flights of steps at the northern and
southen sides of the Jagamohana, were
found amidst the confused mass of
debris. They are however, installed, in
masonary platforms nearer to the
compound walls, facing the main
temple, but
in fact, they are to face outwards, to
welcome people coming in.