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Encyclopedia of Tours and Travel to Orissa, featuring information on Fairs & Festivals, Wildlife, Excursion, Adventure and Weather of Orissa. |
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Konark Ren  owned
for its magnificent sun temple, which was constructed by Narasinha
Deva of Ganga dynasty of Orissa in mid 13th century, Konark is also
a lovely beach resort. It is easily approachable from BhubanesHwar-64
kms & Puri-32 kms by coaches and tourist cars. Regular bus services
including conducted sigthtseeing tours are available for Konark from
BhubanesHwar and Puri.
In Konark, the "Natya Mandir", the dance hall of the
Sun Temple probably remains as the last remnant of the glorious
temples of Orissa an extant example of the architectural excellence
of the times. Built in the 13th Century, here a collossal image
of the chariot of the Sun, drawn by seven horses and 24 wheels symbolises
the divisions of time. The main tower of Konark stood as high as
227 feet, superceding both Lingaraja and Jagannath Temples. The
Jagmohana (Porch) structure and the tower are both situated atop
the stone platform supporting the 24 wheels. The Konark Sun Temple
also houses a Nata
Getting There By Rail By Road Weather Rainfall: 152.4 cms (July to September). Clothings: Summer- Light tropical & cottons, Winter- light woollens. Best season: Throughout the year, but preferaby October to March.
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mandira
or dancing hall. Only two subsidiary temples out of the 22, that
were also situated inside the temple precincts, exist today. The
VaishnadeviMayadevi Temple stand to the West of the towers. The
Sun temple of Narasimhadeva is a depiction in stone of the life
of those times – royal, social, religious and military. The
intricate carvings on the walls and wheels of the chariot are unprecedented
in history. The fine sculptures depicting Court life, hunting, scenes,
celestial deities are epitomes of precision and grace. Graceful
sculptures from the world of the Kamasutra, epic of eroticism also
adorn the structures. The Sun Temple standing in solitary splendour
is the relic of a great past. The history lovers can regale themselves
at the Archaeological Museum at the site of the Konark Sun Temple.
The majestic Sun Temple silhouetted against the setting sun remains
indelibly etched in the spectator’s memory.