The Sun God’s temple near Puri is designed like a rath.
When you watch Odissi danseuse Sharon Lowen performing at
the Konark Dance Festival against the backdrop of the ancient Sun Temple, you
marvel at her grace. But you also stare at the ornate craftsmanship of the
temple. The sacred city of Konark is an important destination in the Golden
Triangle circuit of Orissa.
The temple has been designated a World Heritage
Site by UNESCO. Majestic in conception, it was built by Narsimha Deva. One of
the most stunning monuments in India, the entire structure has been conceived
as the chariot of the Sun God.
It has 24 wheels, each about 10 ft in diameter, with a set
of spokes, There are elaborate carvings and erotic sculptures primarily on the
second level of the porch. The sculptures provide eloquent testimony to the
genius of Orissa’s sculptural tradition.
Apart from the temple, Konark is popular for its beach.
Bathe in the waters – they are relatively safe – buy some shell artefacts and
spend the rest of the dat exploring the rich architecture of the temple. The
annual Konark Dance Festival in the temple complex is a much awaited event.
Getting There:
The nearest airport and railheads are at Bhubaneswar and Puri. (I went to Bhubaneswar by air from Delhi and then hired a cab).
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