KONARK SUN TEMPLE

The Sun Temple of Konark, built in the ^13th century, is a Unesco World Heritage Site. It is one of India's most important archaeological sites.

This Brahman temple represents the culmination of Kalinga architecture, the ancient kingdom that occupied present-day Odisha. Built at the mouth of the Chandrabhaga River, it faced the ocean before the coast silted up. The Konark site, which includes several temples and terraces, was excavated because it was partially silted up. A large part of the temple was destroyed. Restoration work is regularly undertaken to restore the temple to its former glory.

Also known as the Black Temple in the ^17th century, this monumental edifice represents the chariot of the sun god (Sûrya), with its 24 finely sculpted wheels and horses pulling it. It is adorned with sculptures of divinities,apsaras (celestial nymphs), scenes of daily life and activities of the period, animals and decorative motifs. The detail is breathtaking. The wheels represent the signs of the zodiac, shown twice. Other deities are also present, including Vishnu (in the form of Jagannath) and Shiva (in the form of a lingam). Like the temples of Khajuraho, there are many erotic scenes from the Kamasutra. The temple was built at a time when Tantrism dominated the Hindu religion. The site also includes ancillary buildings and scattered sculptures that belonged to the original temple.

The temple comprised a succession of halls leading up to the main sanctuary, topped by a bada (spiral corncob tower). Although the sanctuary collapsed in the ^19th century, the jagamohana that preceded it remains. However, it is forbidden to enter the interior, and work to support the roof continues. The terraces at the sides of the temple were used for dance performances and musicians.

We strongly recommend the services of a guide, who will be able to point out details that can easily go unnoticed, such as this giraffe illustrating the Kalinga empire's trade relations with Africa. To gauge its importance in the country's historical and cultural capital, you should know that the Konark Sun Temple is featured on 10-rupee banknotes. Some guides speak better English than others, so check with them before starting your tour. Allow a minimum of 2 hours for a visit to the main temple.