Konark Sun Temple : Mann Ki Baat
The Prime Minister’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’—through which he interacts with citizens on various issues—had recently made references to Odissi dance and Konark temple.
- It is located on the coastline of Odisha in Puri district.
- Also called the Surya Devalaya, the temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Surya.
- Textual evidence indicates that Narasimha I (who reigned between 1238 and 1264) of the Eastern Ganga dynasty built the temple in 1250.
- It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
- It is a classic example of the Odisha style of architecture or Kalinga architecture.
- The temple complex has the appearance of a 100-foot-high solar chariot, with 24 wheels and pulled by six horses, all carved from stone.
- It is oriented towards the east so that the first rays of the sunrise strike the main entrance.
- The wheels of the temple are sundials, which can be used to calculate time accurately to a minute.
- Around the base of the temple, there are images of animals, foliage, warriors on horses, and other interesting structures.
- The temple also features elaborate stone carvings depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.
- The temple, built from Khondalite rocks, is also known as ‘BLACK PAGODA’ due to its dark colour.
- The temple remains a site of contemporary worship for Hindus, during the annual Chandrabhaga Festival, around the month of February.
