Bhubaneswar Trip Overview
Konark Sun temple is a striking model of ancient artistry, fluidity of ideas, and a pedagogic treasury, that’s why its A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Devoted to the sun god, Surya, the first rays of the sun fall on the entrance of the temple. The temple has suffered considerable damage due to the punishing sea and the saline air but what remains still holds enough charm to captivate. An interpretation of a greater imagination, it has seen empires rise and fall, identities washed away, yet appealing to our sensorium even today.
Additional Info
Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Starts: Bhubaneswar, India
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
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What to Expect When Visiting Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
Konark Sun temple is a striking model of ancient artistry, fluidity of ideas, and a pedagogic treasury, that’s why its A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Devoted to the sun god, Surya, the first rays of the sun fall on the entrance of the temple. The temple has suffered considerable damage due to the punishing sea and the saline air but what remains still holds enough charm to captivate. An interpretation of a greater imagination, it has seen empires rise and fall, identities washed away, yet appealing to our sensorium even today.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Konark Sun Temple, Kasia-Tamkuhi Road, Konark India
Morning we pick you up from your hotel in Bhubaneswar and get driven to Konark Sun temple. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the temple is Believed to have been built in the 13th century CE by the King Narasimhadeva I hailing from the Eastern Ganga dynasty between 1238-1250 CE. The temple was commissioned by the king while Samantaraya Mahapatra was the one in charge of its construction. ‘Konark’ means the sun and the four corners. The temple was called Black Pagoda attributing to its dark facade by the Europeans who used it for navigation for their ships. It is said that the temple could draw ships to the shore due to its magnetic powers.
The temple is known for its impressive Kalinga architecture that includes a depiction of a 100 ft high chariot being pulled by horses and wheels carved out of a single stone. The monument portrays the imposing chariot of the sun god. Built of Khondalite rocks, the original temple had 230 ft high sanctum which no longer exists, 128 ft high audience hall, dance hall, dining hall which survive still. There are 24 intricately designed wheels, 12 ft in diametre which are seen drawn by horses. These seven horses represent the week, the wheels stand for the 12 months while the day-cycle is symbolised by the eight spokes in the wheels. And this whole depiction tells how the time is controlled by the sun – being the very illustration of the Surya in the Hindu mythology travelling from the east in his chariot escorted by his charioteer, Aruna.
Once you are done with the Temple then further get driven back to the hotel / airport in Bhubaneswar by our driver
Duration: 2 hours
