Konark: Difference between revisions

Konark is also known as Konaditya. The name "Konark" is derived from the words ''koṇa'' ("corner") and ''arka'' ("Sun"), therefore it literally means "corner of the Sun". It is is at north-east of [[Puri]] or the Chakrakshetra. The Sun Temple of Konark, often called the Black Pagoda, was constructed in the mid-thirteenth century by Raja Narasinghs Deva I of the Ganga Dynasty and is an ample testament to the artistic glory of the time. It is often considered the best among other temples of its kind and that is saying something when you are talking about the Swarna Tribhuja ("golden triangle") of Odisha which boasts of Jagannath Temple and Lingaraja Temple of Puri and Bhubaneswar respectively.

===Architecture of KonarkSun Temple===

The National and State Highways link Konark with Puri and Bhubaneswar forming a virtual triangle popularly known as '''Golden Triangle of East'''. To reach Konark from Bhubaneswar, after travelling 20 km take a left turn once you reach [[Pipli]] villagePipili. The road straight ahead leads to Puri.

Hiring a taxi is the best way of travel between Puri and Konark. There are good number of transport buses as well as private coaches plying from both the cities. State buses are also available to Konark from Bhubaneswar's Bus Stand, Vani Vihar and Kalpana Chhak. Travel by bus is however much, much cheaper compared to renting a car. Although cramped and rather uncomfortable, these buses offer a unique experience of daily life in Odisha for less than US₹80 ($1).

{{Mapframe|19.88782|86.09478|zoom=12}}

Auto+-rickshaws, taxis and cycle rickshaws are there for roaming around in the town. State bus services are rickety and uncomfortable while traveling unless you are on a budget. They are very good value in the ratio of adventure-to-rupees.

*The temple compound measures {{cvt|857|by|540|ft}}. The alignment of the Sun Temple is on the east-westeast–west direction.

| name=RamchandiRamachandi Temple | alt= | url= | email=

| address= | lat=19.85453 | long=86.05934 | directions=7 km from the Sun Temple

| wikidata=Q7288686

| content=Ramachandi is popularly believed the presiding deity of Konark. From the architectural point of view, the temple of Ramachandi is not important but from the religious point of view, it is one of the famous SaktaShakti pithas of PuriPithas. The beach is often crowded by local students as a romantic escapade or families picnicking at the weekend. The main temple along with its Mukhasala had been built on one platform 3'2" (96.5 cm) high. On the three sides of the temple walls, i.e., south, west and north, there were three figures of Sun god as side Gods. Now one can see these side gods in north and southern side, whereas the figures on the western side have been displaced and are said to have been preserved in the National Museum at New Delhi. This image is said to have some sculptural specialisation and is regarded to be one of the beautiful images of the Sun god. Though smaller in size, the side-gods of this temple are of similar type in all respect with the side-gods in the Sun temple. The side images of the northern side are in somewhat good condition while the image in the southern side has no head and broken hands.

Chandrabhaga Mela, in February, is the most popular festival which fall in the month of February. This is a day specially set aside for the worship of the Sun God at Konark. Thousands of pilgrims flock to Konark every year to take a holy dip on the Chandrabhaga River and then circumambulate the shrine or jagamohan to worship the Navagraha stone which used to be above the eastern portal and is now set up in a small shed outside the compound.

==Eat and drink==