A: A UNESCO World Heritage site, Konark Sun Temple is famous for its unique architecture. Its geometrical patterns and carved wheels used to serve as sun dials. One can witness three images of Sun God at three directions to catch the rays of the Sun at dawn, noon and sunset..
What is the mathematical significance of Konark Temple?
It has eight spokes - each representing a Prahar. 1 prahar is 3 hours. Each prahar has 60 dots each representing 3 minutes time span. The lower half of the chariot wheel represents the day - 4 prahars (4 x3) = 12 hours..
What is the significance of the Konark Temple wheel?
Astronomical Significance It can track the movement of the sun throughout the day and throughout the year. The wheel was designed to align with the sun's rays at different times of the year, indicating the changing seasons and the solstices..
The temple is attributed to king Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty about 1250 CE. Dedicated to the Hindu Sun God Surya, what remains of the temple complex has the appearance of a 100-foot (30 m) high chariot with immense wheels and horses, all carved from stone.
It is an outstanding testimony to the 13th-century kingdom of Orissa and a monumental example of the personification of divinity, thus forming an invaluable link in the history of the diffusion of the cult of Surya,the Sun God. In this sense, it is directly and materially linked to Brahmanism and tantricbelief systems.
What is the Sun Temple at konârak?
The Sun Temple at Konârak, located on the eastern shores of the Indian subcontinent, is one of the outstanding examples of temple architecture and art as revealed in its conception, scale and proportion, and in the sublime narrative strength of its sculptural embellishment
Why is konârak important?
Criterion (vi): Directly and materially linked to the Brahman beliefs, Konârak is the invaluable link in the history of the diffusion of the cult of Surya, which originating in Kashmir during the 8th century, finally reached the shores of Eastern India
Why is Konark a popular temple in India?
In India, Konark is one of the oldest places of Sun worshipping, mentioned in the ancient scriptures like 'Puranas'
Since the Vedic period, Lord Surya has been a popular deity in India
The Kings used to worship the Sun, seeking his blessings and brightness
The temple was conceived in the form of a chariot as it forms the mount of Lord Surya
On the shores of the Bay of Bengal, bathed in the rays of the rising sun, the temple at Konarak is a monumental representation of the sun god Surya's chariot; its 24 wheels are decorated with symbolic designs and it is led by a team of six horses. Built in the 13th century, it is one of India's most famous Brahman sanctuaries.
Dedicated to the Hindu deity Surya, the Sun God, the temple is a remarkable tribute to the divine source of energy and power. Beyond its religious significance, the temple also serves as a symbol of the king’s luxury and authority.Konarak is mentioned in ancient Hindu texts having mythological significance like the Puranas. Konaditya (Konarak) was believed to be the most sacred place for the worship of Surya in the entire Odisha region. In gratitude for healing his skin ailment, Samba, one of the god Krishna 's many sons, erected a temple in the honour of Surya.Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, it remains a major pilgrimage site for Hindus, who gather here every year for the Chandrabhaga Mela around the month of February. Konark Sun Temple is depicted on the reverse side of the Indian currency note of 10 rupees to signify its importance to Indian cultural heritage.,×The Konark Temple is a monumental representation of the sun god Surya's chariot. It was built in the 13th century and is one of India's most famous Brahman sanctuaries. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Surya, the Sun God, and is a remarkable tribute to the divine source of energy and power. It is also a symbol of the king’s luxury and authority. The temple is mentioned in ancient Hindu texts and has mythological significance. It is a major pilgrimage site for Hindus and is depicted on the reverse side of the Indian currency note of 10 rupees.
Cultural significance of konark temple
Hindu temple in Sri Lanka
Koneswaram Temple of Trincomalee or Thirukonamalai Konesar Temple – The Temple of the Thousand Pillars and Dakshina-Then Kailasam is a classical-medieval Hindu temple complex in Trincomalee, a Hindu religious pilgrimage centre in Eastern Province, Sri Lanka. The most sacred of the Pancha Ishwarams of Sri Lanka, it was built significantly during the ancient period on top of Konesar Malai, a promontory overlooking Trincomalee District, Gokarna bay and the Indian Ocean. The monument contains its main shrine to Shiva in the form Kona-Ishvara, shortened to Konesar.
Lingaraja Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva
Hindu temple in Odisha, India
Lingaraja Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva and is one of the oldest temples in Bhubaneswar, the capital of the Indian state of Odisha, India. The temple is the most prominent landmark of Bhubaneswar city and one of the major tourist attractions of the state.
Destroyed Hindu temple in Punjab, Pakistan
The Sun Temple of Multan was a temple dedicated to Surya, the Hindu Sun God, in the city of Multan. It commanded significant fame in the subcontinent as a place of pilgrimage and wealth under Hindu as well as Islamic rule before being destroyed in the late tenth century. It appears to have been reconstructed, before being purportedly obliterated by Aurangzeb.
Parsurameswara Temple also spelt Parashurameshvara
Hindu temple of the god Shiva in Bhubaneswar, India
Parsurameswara Temple also spelt Parashurameshvara, located in the East Indian city of Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, India, is considered the best preserved specimen of an early Odia Hindu temple dated to the Shailodbhava period between the 7th and 8th centuries CE. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and is one of the oldest existing temples in the state. It is believed to have been built around 650 CE in Nagara style and has all the main features of the pre-10th century Kalinga Architecture style temples. The temple is one among the Parashurameshvara group of temples.
Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha temple
Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu in Simhachalam, India
Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha temple, Simhachalam, is a Hindu temple situated on the Simhachalam Hill Range,which is 300 metres above the sea level in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped there as Varaha Narasimha. As per the temple's legend, Vishnu manifested in this form after saving his devotee Prahlada from a murder attempt by the latter's father Hiranyakashipu.Except on Akshaya Trutiya, the idol of Varaha Narasimha is covered with sandalwood paste throughout the year, which makes it resemble a linga. The temple was built in Kalingan architecture styles and stands unique in the historical region of Kalinga.The Present temple was built by Eastern Ganga king Narasingha Deva I in the 13th century and consecrated by his son Bhanudeva I in 1268 AD. The temple was built by Akthayi Senapathi, on the command of Narasingha Deva I.
Hindu temple in Orissa, India
Visvanatha Siva Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Visvanatha and is one of the temples of Bhubaneswar, a revered pilgrimage center and the capital of the state of Orissa, India. It is a living temple, facing west, situated on the road from Lingaraja Temple to Mausima Temple. The presiding deity is a Siva lingam with a circular yoni installed inside the sanctum that was brought from Kasi. The temple was built in the 19th century and is of modern construction.
