42 MAY 2021 SPECIAL FEATURE THE FAMOUS TEMPLE IN , ,

Compiled by : KIDAMBI RAJ

INTRODUCTION

he name Konark is derived from the combination of Ttwo words, Kona (corner or angle) and Arka (the Sun). The of Konark, temple and the Lingaraj temple of Bhuvaneshwar form a bilateral triangle and the Konark temple is one Kone (angular point of a triangle). This gives the word Kona the meaning in making that nomenclature. This temple is said to have been built by King Narasimhadeva I of the around 1250 CE. It is about 35 kilometres northeast from Puri on the coastline of Odi- sha, India. Hindu Sun God and the nine planets () are worshipped in this temple. is depicted on the reverse side of the Indian cur- rency note of Rs. 10 to signify its importance to Indian cultural heritage. The temple in its present state was declared by UNE- SCO, as a World Heritage Site in 1984, although many portions are now in ruins. What remains of the temple Complex continues to draw not only tourists but also Hindu pilgrims. This temple stands as a classic example of architecture, complete with colossal structure, sculptures and art work on myriad themes.

- Konark Temple to the 12 months of the , with other tourists was surprised that the finger’s shadow each month paired into two cycles (Shukla showed the precise time of the day.” and ). The Konark has 8 wider spokes and 8 thinner Sun Temple of Konark is renowned spokes. The distance between two wider spokes is of 3 throughout the world for its stone sculp- hours (180 minutes). The thinner spoke between two wider tures. The temple was designed in the spokes is of 1.5 hours (90 minutes). There are 30 beads be- shape of a huge drawn by 7 mighty tween one wider spoke to the next thinner spoke and each spirited horses on 12 pairs (total 24 bead represents 3 minutes. The Sun dial shows time in ) of gorgeously decorated wheels anti-clockwise and the top centre wider spoke represents at its base. The size of the wheel is of 9 12 PM (midnight). feet 9 inches in diameter and each one of them having 8 wider spokes and 8 thinner SUN GOD AND KONARK TEMPLE spokes. Out of these 24 wheels 6 are in There are three images of the Sun God at three different either side of the main temple, 4 wheels sides of the temple. These three images of the Sun God are on each side of the Mukhasala and are positioned in such a way to catch the rays of the sun at 2 wheels on each side of steps at eastern dawn, noon and evening. In the , Surya is conceived front. The huge wheels of the Konark as an unified manifestation of the Brahmanical Trinity. Temple are one of the major attractions for . the Morning Sun being identified withBrahma , - Konark Wheel visitors. the creator; Various theories have been advocated regarding the sig- . the Mid Day Sun with Maheswara, the destroyer OTHER MAJOR SUN TEMPLES IN nificance of Konark wheel. According to some, the 7 horses and INDIA represent the days of the week and the 12 pairs of wheels . the Evening Sun with , the preserver represent the 12 months of the year and the The Sun Temple in Gaya, The Modhera Sun Temple on 24 wheels signifies 24 hours of a day and the the banks of Pushpavati river in Mehsana District of Gu- 8 major spokes signifies praharas (three hour jarat, The Surya Pahar Temple near Goalpara town in As- period) of a day. According to others, the sam, The Suryanar Temple in , , wheels of the chariot have been interpreted The Surya Narayana Temple in Arasavalli in as the Wheel of Life. They portray the cycle Dist., In , The Brahmanya Dev Temple in of creation, preservation and achievement Unao near Jhansi in , The Martand Sun of realisation. These 12 pairs of wheels may Temple in Jammu and The Sun Temple in . also possibly represent the 12 zodiac signs. Some also believe that the Wheel of Konark ABOUT THE TEMPLE is the same as the of the Bud- The Konark or Konarak as it is also called, was built dhists - The Wheel of , The Wheel of around 1250 AD, during the reign of the Eastern Ganga the Law. King Narasimhadeva I from stone in the form of a giant A tourist who visited the Konark temple ornamented chariot dedicated to the Sun God, Surya. In had this to say: “I visited Konark temple Hindu Vedic iconography, Surya is represented as rising in several times. During my last visit, I hired the east and travelling rapidly across the sky in a chariot an experienced guide who explained me drawn by seven horses. He is described typically as a that the Konark wheels are used as Sun resplendent standing person holding a lotus flower in both dials in ancient times to know the time of his hands, riding the chariot marshalled by the chario- the day. He also explained me that out of teer, . The seven horses are named after the seven these 24 wheels, 2 wheels will show you meters in : Gayatri, Brihati, Ushnih, the time accurately from sun rise to sun set. Jagati, Trishtibha Anushtubha and Pankit. Typically When I asked about other 22 wheels, he seen flanking Surya are two female who represent the told me that he is not sure about them but dawn goddesses, Usha and Pratyusha. The Goddesses are he will definitely explain me the technique shown as shooting arrows, a symbol of their initiative in to calculate the time using these 2 wheels. challenging the darkness. The architecture is also symbol He took me to one of the wheel and put - - Konark Sundial ic, with the chariot’s twelve pairs of wheels corresponding his finger at centre of the axel and I along MAYJULY 20212020 www.monsoonjournal.com 15TH YEAR IN CIRCULATION a parfait media publication MONSOON JOURNAL 433 SPECIALCANADA FEATURE NEWS representation of these seven horses has been explained in Pravhata Surya - Morning Sun different ways by many: 1. The seven horses that pull the sun temple towards the -Thomson The Creator Rogers Launches $100 Milliondawn, represent Classthe seven days of theAction week. The First image of Sun God on the Southern side wall 2. The seven horses, have been named in Bhagavad called Mitra is described as the Pravhata Surya (Morn- Gita as, Gayatri, Usnika, Anushtubha, Brihati, Pankit, ing Sun or Rising Sun). As the plan of the temple slightly Trishtibha and Jagati which stand for the rhythmic repre- makesagainst an angle with the cardinal Aviva directions, the imageInsurance Company ofsentation Canada of the sacred verses of the Vedas. of the south, is flooded with the rays of the morning-Sun 3. The seven horses at Konark are the seven colours and Thomsonis therefore significantRogers has for itsissued expression a ofas youth a result and of an outbreak of a con- visible in a rainbow – VIBGYOR. The seven horses are activity,Canada-wide justifying classthe description action ofpro- Pravhata Surya.tagious It is or infectious disease (“conta- therefore named after these seven colours: Sahasrara (vi- decoratedceeding with claiming typical set$100 of ornaments million on the arms,gious neck disease coverage”). olet), -nila (Indigo, Nila (Blue), Haritaha (Green), and in the ears. The head-dress is also typical. The waist Pita (yellow), Kausumbhaha (Orange) and Rakta (Red). in damages on behalf of Cana- Canadian businesses small and band is provided with tassels hanging down from it. This is calleddian thebusinesses avyanga (waist who band) have and been is the Indianisedlarge formhave applied to Aviva for interruption claims and seeksNINE dam- PLANETSAviva should () immediately review TEM - ofdenied Aiwiyonghen business the secret interruption waist girdle of the Iranians.contagious The disease coverage and ages including punitive damagesPLE AT on KONARKtheir policies to determine whether drapery,insurance reaching by upAviva to the Insurance knee, is wonderfully have carved. been denied coverage by Aviva, their behalf. they include these signifi cant cov- Navagraha Temple (Nine Planets’ Temple) is located The hands of the statue holds two full bloomed lotuses, “Aviva has allegedly failed to erages that are often referred to as Company of Canada which takes the position that the just outside the Sun Temple compound. It houses a huge one Toronto,of which stillON, exists July above 06, 2020 the right hand ofglobal the figure. COVID-19 pandemic does not honour its good faith obligations Restrictive Access, Negative Public- It is also decorated with the figures of seven horses driven chlorite slab, 20 feet (6 metres) long, four feet (1.2 metre) to its policyholders with respect to ity or Interruption by Civil Author- by(GLOBE Aruna, theNEWSWIRE) charioteer of --Surya, Thomson sitting near qualifythe feet of as a contagious or infectious high and 7 feet (2 metres) deep with idols of nine planets theRogers statue has with issued the reins a Canada-wideof the horses in his hands.disease under the Policies. business interruption claimsmade result- with blackity chlorite coverages,” stone and say richly Robert ornamented. Ben and class action proceeding claiming The Representative Plaintiff, ing from the COVID-19 pandemic.This stone slab wasStephen originally Birman set above the temple’s ornamental doorways (Jagamohana) is now kept inside the Madhyanha$100 million in damages Surya on- Midbehalf Day NordikSun Windows Inc., is a window This has put Canadian companies For further information regarding Navagraha Temple. -of TheCanadian Destroyer businesses who have manufacturing and installation com- on the brink when they are most this claim, please contact: Sun, Moon and Mars beenThe deniedsecond image business of Sun interruption God on the Western pany side walllocated in Ontario, which had vulnerable,” said Robert Ben and Robert Ben calledinsurance as the byMadhyanha Aviva Insurance Surya (Mid-day Com- Sun),to standing close its operations for several Stephen Birman, partners atSurya Thom- (Sun) stands([email protected] on a vechile of seven horses and withpany full of vigourCanada and (“Aviva”) personality. during Decoration the of monthsthe panel, as a result of the COVID-19 son, Rogers. holds two lotuses inor his 416-868-3168) both hands. or Chadra (Moon) rides on a swan and carries discs of moon ornamentsCOVID-19 and pandemic. drapery used, the presence of Kingpandemic. and Thomson Rogers has been Many Canadian businesses are Stephen Birman - The Destroyer in his left and right hands. Queen,Aviva the soldseven Enterprise horses and the Insurance figure of Arunacontacted are almost by Canadian businesses unaware that they have contagious ([email protected] similar to the Pravhata Surya (Morning Sun) who also Mangala (Mars) being the warlord, holds a kattara(cutter) disease coverage and have not sub- or 416-868-3137) wearsPolicies boot. (the “Policies”) to Canadian who have suffered extreme econom- in his right hand and in the left, several human heads, in businesses, which included protec- ic hardship asRoyal a result Guard of Aviva’s of Konarkmitted claims to Aviva. the act of devouring. His vehicle is a goat. tion for the loss of business income failure to honour– Lion their uponbusiness Elephant “Canadian upon Man businesses insured by The eastern gateway which is the main entrance to the temple compound, is decorated with Gajasimha (Lion upon an elephant) images, with outward faces, installed on two high stone benches on either side of the passage. Ontario Building Trades AffirmAccording to Hindu Zero mythology, Tolerance the lions represent the for Racism in Construction pride and elephants represent the wealth and both of them TORONTO, July 03, 2020 (GLOBE discrimination and collective interests of workers which kill the human. The entire figure is made out of one piece NEWSWIRE) -- “There is no place we will work withof stone. can only be achieved when workers for racist activity on any construction employers to create feel safe at work. Securing workplaces site in Ontario,” said Patrick Dillon, a safe environmentGreat Wheel of Konark free from harassment, intimidation, The entire temple is made in the form of huge chariot of for workers.” and discrimination of any worker Business Manager of the Provincial Sun God with 24 wheels (12 pairs). The Konark wheel is Building and Construction Trades “Our membersprimary attraction of the temple. The wheels of the chariot based on his or her ancestry, race, Council of Ontario (PBCTCO). “Re- build an Ontar-have exquisitely decorated around their axles and periph- religion, or any other difference, is the cent events in Toronto have reminded io for everyone’series. The art work of every wheel is different. The wheels goal of the Council. Diversity enrich- us that there is more work to do in benefi t regardlessof the chariot are also symbolic and have been interpreted es our communities and respectful as the Sun Dial. fi ghting racism and promoting a more of race, gender, workplaces are a key ingredient to an inclusive culture.” age, sexual orien-War Horses of Konark inclusive society. “The Ontario Building Trades tation, or ability.There are two gorgeously carved war horses in front of Dillon went on to say, “With re- Council has zero tolerance for any An attack on onethe southern side of the temple. They are each 10 feet long spect to the incidents that took place and 7 feet high. The sculpture depicts each of them with form of racism or intimidation,” Dillon community is an The Council’s Statement of Princi- on construction sites in Toronto, the its massive strength and energy plescrushing on Workplace down the warrior. Equity states that: said. “These hate crimes do not refl ect attack on all ofThis us,” figure stated of Dillon.war horse has been accepted as the symbol Provincial Building Trades Council The Provincial Building and Con- the hardworking women and men who “Recent eventsof both the State in Canada Government and of Odisha and her former martial supports a full investigation and ap- work together to build a better Ontar- the United Statesglory. have highlighted struction Trades Council of Ontario is propriate prosecution of those involved io.” the need for more work to deal with committed to striving for racial equal- in these cowardly acts.”

“The construction industry is systemic racism,Elephants especially anti-black of Konark ity and worker solidarity. Discrimina- The Provincial Building and Con- The figures of elephants whichtory had actions, originally including stood acts of intimi- working hard to be inclusive and racism. We needon the to doside more walls and of the the flight of steps at the northern and struction Trades Council of Ontario dation in the construction workplace, representative of all Ontarians, and Ontario Buildingsouthern Trades sides are of readythe Jaganmohana to (assembly hall of the represents 150,000 trades workers is proud of the efforts made to include work with employerspeople), wereand communityfound amidst the aremass completely of debris. They unacceptable were and the throughout the province. Council has a zero tolerance policy to- new Canadians and underrepresent- organizationshowever to fi nd solutions installed in that masonry platforms nearer to the com- - The Preserver ed communities,” Dillon said. “Our make our communitiespound walls better, facing healthi-the main temple,wards but such in fact, acts. they The were Building Trades - The Creator supposed to face outwards to welcome people coming in. Mercury, Jupiter and Venus workplace should be free of racial er and more inclusive.” fi ght for, and continue to advance the Budha (Mercury) sits on a lotus and he holds in his two Astachala Surya - Evening Sun Seven Horses of Konark hands a bow and an arrow. Brihaspati (Jupiter) being the - The Presever The entire temple structure is made in the form of a huge highest of the priests of the Devatas, has a flowing beard chariot with 24 wheels and pulled by a set of seven gallop- and holds a rosary and Kamandalam in his hands, but he The third image of Sun God on the Northern side wall ing horses (4 on the right side and 3 on the left side). The has to be seated either on a frog or on a skull, instead of a called as the Astachala Surya (Evening Sun or Setting lotus. Sukra (Venus) is said to be the priest of the Sun). The figure brings out beautifully the tired expres- (demons). Excepting the blindness of one eye, his icon is sion which is the result of a hard day’s work, when all the more or less correctly shown. other horses are completely tired, he is any how com- pleting his journey by riding on the back of the last horse Saturn, Rahu and Ketu who is also found to be stooping with its folded legs. Saturn (Sani) rides on a tortoise and holds a rod in his hand, instead of sitting on a lotus. ARCHITECTURAL FIGURES AT Rahu (Ascending Node) has only the upper half of the KONARK SUN TEMPLE body. Two of his canine teeth are projecting from his upper jaw, to represent him as a monster and a fierce aspect of King I’s desired temple was built in the Sun and the Moon. He is found holding the Sun in one the form of a huge (chariot), having twelve pairs of hand and the Moon on the other. Ketu (Descending Node) is the last one in the group. wheels exquisitely carved out in the northern and southern His upper part is similar to others, but the lower is formed sides of the plinth masonry and drawn by a team of seven of the body of a serpent coiling around. He is to hold the spirited horses, speeding as if through the heaven. noose of the snake in one hand a sword on the other. - Lion upon Elephant upon Man