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. 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.
Like many Indian temples, the Sun Temple comprises several distinct and well-organized spatial units. The vimana (principal sanctuary) was surmounted by a high tower with a shikhara (crowning cap), which was razed in the 19th century. To the east, the jahamogana (audience hall) dominates the ruins with its pyramidal mass. Farther to the east, the natmandir (dance hall), today unroofed, rises on a high platform. Various subsidiary structures are still to be found within the enclosed area of the rectangular wall, which is punctuated by gates and towers.The Sun Temple is an exceptional testimony, in physical form, to the 13th-century Hindu Kingdom of Orissa, under the reign of Narasimha Deva I (AD 1238-1264).
Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century CE Sun Temple at Konark in Orissa, India. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. The entire temple is made in the form of a huge chariot of Sun God with 24 wheels (12 pairs) and pulled by 7 horses. This temple has 3 main strutures. The Dance Hall, Prayer Hall and Main Temple. The Dance Hall wall and pillars are carved with 277 Devadasi dance poses which is considered as the first form of Indian Classical Dance. The wall of the Prayer Hall showcases the famous love making sculptures and for this reason Konark Sun Temple is also called second Khajuraho Temple of India. The Main temple has already collapsed 80%. At western side of Sun Temple there is Temple of Chaya – the wife of Sun God. Another scientific marvel of the Konark Sun Temple is Sun-Dial which tells time accurately during day.
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