Konark a city in Odisha is home to a marvelous monument that shines with first rays of sun. After coming here you will feel the Sun God is riding his chariot with7 horses. This temple is known as the sun temple of Konark. It is also known as Konark temple. It is a UNESCO world heritage site, made in Kalinga Architecture. It is said that this place receives the first sunlight is the region. Not only India, it is popular around the world. The sun temple is a great example of Kalinga Architecture. Temple made with Kalinga Architecture are pride of Hindu and Sanati people. The Konark temple is made in a form of Chariot with 12 wheels on each side. This beautiful temple stands tall between these 24 wheels. In this video, we will explain some unique and mysterious facts that you might have not heard about before.
Construction:-
The construction of this temple started in the 13th century with the help of 1200 workers. This temple was made by Raja Narsimha Deva Ji of Ganga Empire. The construction of this temple lasted from 1238-64. It is believed that around 1200 labourer’s were used for its construction. An another unique thing about this temple is, people back then used to consider it nothing less than magic. Bisu Maharana was the chief architect who constituted this temple in 12 years.
Magnetic gumbad:-
The Gumbad of the temple was made using magnet. 3 tons of magnet was used at the bottom and 50 tons at top and was balanced perfectly. 5 temple were made out of sandstone onle 1 exists till now and is known as Prathana temple. The main temple which got damaged was around 227ft tall. The temple complex was divided into 5 parts. Today, you will find only one of them standing. Magnetic Field was used to make this temple stand. 3 ton of magnet at the bottom and 50 ton of magnet at the top was used to make the temple stand. Once the magnetic field was disturbed, his temple fell down.
The temple layout:-
In this 12 acres of temple complex there were 5 segments. Natmandir, Chaya mandir, Vimana, Prarthana Mandir and Maya Mandir. Natmandir was used for cultural dance shows, The main temple was used for the people to pray and it has 24 wheels around the walls. 12non the right side and 12 on the left side. The Konark Sun temple is spread across 12 acres of land. It is divided into 5 temples. Namandir where female servant of god used to dance. Prarthan mandir where devotees used to pray. Main temple or Vimana. Chaya mandir and Maya mandir. Chaya and maya are the names given to the wives of sun god. Their temple can be found inside this complex.
Sun clock:-
In the Hindu calendar, a month is divided into 30 days, 15 days are Skula Paksha and 15vare called Krishna Paksha . This temple is made in accordance with Sun clock. It means, this temple acts as a Natural clock, During the sunrise, you can guess the time while looking at the left side of the temple.
While looking at left side of the temple. During sunset, you guess it from the right side of the temple.
Ashtadhatu:-
You can find the first time sunrise on the natmandep. As we progress throughout the day, the sunlight will travel from one temple to another, as the sunrise hit the idol of the temple, you will feel as if the sunlight is coming from inside the temple.
Ashta means 8 and pahar means period 3 hours. During the first pahar i.e during sunrise. The first sunrise reach the Ashtadhatu idol of the temple. After the sunrise reflected on the idol surface it would feel if the sunrise are emitting out of the idol. This is nothing short of a miracle. After the temple demolition, this miracle cannot be experienced.
8 Pahar:-
A day has 8 Pahar (period of 3 hours). The first 4 pahar are very special to Sun temple. Every pahar has a different significance in this temple. The architecture is made in such a way that, during the First Pahar (6-8AM).
During the 2nd pahar (9-11AM) the sunlight would touch the sun god idol in the south.
During the 3rd pahar(12-2PM) . The sunlight would touch the Madhya suryadav idol.
The 4th pahar (Ashta Surya from 3-5 PM) the sunlight would touch Ahsta Surya idol.
The Vastu:-
The vastu was made in such a way that you will find air. Ventilation from the west, in the south you will keep preference to knowledge, in the north you will keep all the valuables and in the east you will keep the water storage. While looking at the sun temple layout will find 3 entrances, The main entrance is from the East side, the rest 2 entrances are from South and North Side. The layout is made with the help of vastu, On the southeast side you will find kichen and a waterbody. The south gate is called Ashok gate also known as the gate of knowledge. The North Gate is called Elephant gate or treasury gate. You will find a well near the North Gate too. The layout was considering the vastu shastra.
Dwaepal:-
In every Hindu temple you will find an entry gate guard or Dwarpal. In Lord Shiva temple you will find Nandi the bull as the Dwarpal. If you visit any Goddesses temple you will find elephend or Lion as Dwarpal. When it comes to sun god or surya dev., you will see 3 idol as Dwapal man, elephant, and a lion. Also, it was made by Raja Narasimha Dev, if you break his name it comes to to 3 parts. Man, Lion and an Elephant. You will find an idol of Dwarpal in every Hindu Temple. You will find an idol of Nandi ji in Lord Shiva temples. If you visit any goddesses temple you will find elephant or lion as their Dwarpal.
In this sun temple you will find 3 idols as Dwarpal Aman, an Elephant and a Lion.
Dharma:-
If we go by chronological order, the first religion was Sanatan, than Buddhism and then Hinduism.
Sanskar and Sanskrit:-
The labours made this temple around 800 years ago and you the idol and the carving on the temple portrays different stories to as and still visible to date.
The Kitchen:-
As we know this temple was built under the rule of Raja Narsimha Dev. The labours had kept Vastu Shastra in mind. Air from the west, knowledge from the south treasure in the north and water in the East. The south east direction was therefore used to make kitchen. This kitchen was dedicated to God.
In Southeast part of the temple you will find the Ancient kitchen food for the deity was prepared back then.
Natya Mandap:-
The Nata Mandap is the first building that you will come across in this temple. It is the exact place where servants of God used to perform dance for god. Earlier the height was 90ft and now it is just 35ft. From here you can also look at Ashtadhatu idol.
Modern Art:-
You will see various idols across the temple. In the 13th century, these idols were using modern makeup materials.
The 7 horse Chariot.
Saarthi
The sun clock:-
All the wheels on the Sun temple chariot are made like Natural clock. If the put a scale on the wheel, you will see its shadow on diffent segments of the clock. The accuracy of this clock is upto perfect. Although the dials are anticlockwise compared to a normal clock. This clock is also know as a mirror clock. This clock is divided into 16 hands, each hand depicts 45 minutes. When you multiply then it comes to 12 hours.
Jeevan Chakra:-
Jeevan Chakra means life cycle A man’s 8 pahar are depicted on this wheel.
Ashok Dwar:-
On the south of the temple, you will find a gate named Ashok Dwar. This gate is a symbol of knowledge.
Samudra Manthan:-
You can see the episode of Samudra munthan caved on the walls. Gods and demons together churned the ocean of milk. It is very weel carved on the walls of the temple.
