Konark is situated in the present Indian state of Orissa about 35 kilometers from the popular pilgrimage center of Puri. Konark is composed of two words – "Kona" and "Ark." "Kona" means "corner" and "Ark" is an epithet for the Sun God.
Konark refers to the corner, or region, where the Sun God or Surya Deva is worshipped. One of the earliest references to Konark is in the Brahma Purana.
Legend of Samba, the son of Krishna
According to legend, Samba the son of Krishna suffered from leprosy. Since it was believed that Sun is the healer of skin afflictions, Samba came to Konark and undertook severe penance at Mitravana where the River Chandrabhaga enters the sea. After 12 years, Surya Deva was pleased and Samba was cured of his leprosy.
Samba decided to build a temple dedicated to Surya Deva. When he was bathing in the River Chandrabhaga he found an image of the Sun God, which had been sculpted by Vishvakarma, the architect of the demi-Gods. Samba installed this image in a temple in Mitravana. The modern temple was built in this very location.
History and Architecture of the Modern Konark Temple
The present temple was built by King Narasimha I in the latter half of the 13th century. The temple was built in the traditional Kalinga style of that period but placed on top of a chariot like base. The chariot displayed 12 pairs of wheels representing the months of the year. It was driven by 7 horses representing the days of the week. The entire structure was meant to replicate the legendary chariot of the Sun God in which he traveled across time.
The axis of the temple lies in the east-west direction. The temple consists of three distinct sections. The first is the sanctum sanctorum, which is known as the Vimana. The shikhar or tower above the Vimana was curvilinear in shape and known as Rekha Deul. This part is largely destroyed. Next to the Vimana is an enclosed hall known as Jagmohan. The devotees would have Darshana of the main idol from here. The Jagmohan is completely intact. It has a pyramidal roof called a Pidha Deul. The third part was an open hall called the Natya Mandap. The purpose of this hall was to hold dance and music programs, The Natya Mandap has also been destroyed.
Despite the extensive damage to the original structure the majesty of the Sun Temple at Konark and easily be envisaged. The Sun Temple is a World Heritage Monument.
Contemporary Worship and Cultural Programs at the Sun Temple
The most important event at Konark is the annual Chandrabhaga Mela. This takes place on the seventh day of the fortnight of the waxing moon or shukla saptami in the Hindu month of Magha, which usually falls in February. Thousands of devotees converge to Konark on this day. Before sunrise they bathe in the River Chandrabhaga, just like Samba had done in ancient times. Then the go to the south eastern corner known as Agni Kona and view and worship the sun as it rises from the ocean. Finally they walk down to the temple and worship the Navagrah stone and circumambulate the temple.
The Konark Dance Festival is held from December 1 to December 5 every year. Though dances from all over India are performed the focus is on the temple dance tradition of Orissa. The dances are performed by eminent classical dancers. The festival takes place in an open air amphitheater with the Sun Temple as a backdrop.
Sources:
Konark, Konark.nic.in.
Hindu Temple Architecture, Hinduism.suite101.com.
Hindu Art and Architecture, George Michell, Thames & Hudson, London.
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