SUN, GOD, AND MYSTICISM- THE SUN TEMPLE KONARK

Finding an old neighbor when you are few states away from your home, is not a mean feat. Nearby the Jagannath Temple in Puri, I met Dr. Sharma, a lecturer and an old neighbor who shifted to Orissa a few years back. After a feast of special street food, he promised to accompany me to Sun Temple, Konark. Let me tell you, Dr.Sharma, a Doctorate in History has more knowledgeable stuff in his head, than that what he has in his large tummy.

After a 35 Kms drive, we reached Konark. He told me that the temple was built to celebrate the victory over his enemies by Narashimhadev in the 13th century.

      

Sun temple is a magnificent structure of a chariot of the sun god with 24 wheels and seven horses dragging the temple. Two lions guard the entrance, crushing elephants.

           

                              

Intricate carvings of Khajuraho like sensuous sculpture are also present on the wall. The main temple was constructed in such a way that dawn light would illuminate the presiding deity (it was moved to Jagannath Temple in the 17th century).

          

                                 

As the beauty sometimes insinuates mystery, the air at the temple has that similar esotericism. An ancient temple where prayer bells never rang, a structure, that during the British era diverted the directions of the ships and a marvel which albeit in its dilapidated state, possesses the same grandeur, has much to explore and many mythologies to believe...