Interesting Facts about Konark Sun Temple

1. The Konark Sun Temple was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
2. The reverse side of the Rs. 10 denomination note features the image of the Konark Sun Temple.
3. Every year, in the month of February, the temple witnesses a large gathering of Hindu pilgrims for the Chandrabhaga Mela .
4. The temple is also referred to as “Surya Devalaya”.
5. The Golden Triangle of Odisha, a major pilgrimage route for Hindus, is completed by Konark, Puri and Bhubaneshwar.
6. The temple was initially constructed at the mouth of the river Chandrabhaga, which has since receded.
7. The temple showcases the Kalinga Style of Architecture.
8. The temple faces East, allowing the early morning sunlight to fall on the main entrance.
9. The temple was constructed using Khondalite rocks, a type of Metamorphic rocks.
10. The temple is surrounded by 24 wheels in two rows of 12 each, representing sundials that can determine the time accurately to the minute.
11. In the late 18th century, a monolith known as “Aruna Stambh” was moved from the Konark Sun Temple to the Lion’s Gate (Singha Dwara) of Puri’s Jagannath Temple by a Maratha brahmachari named Goswain/Goswami.
12. The temple has been destroyed several times due to natural calamities and invasions by Muslim invaders.
13. The assembly hall of the temple, also known as “Jagamohan” in Odisha, was filled with sand and sealed by the British in 1904 to prevent its complete collapse. This assembly hall forms the core of the temple, linking the entrance with the inner sanctum.

Note: To learn more about different types of rocks , follow the attached link.

Note: Visit the attached link for a comprehensive list of all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India .

Latest Developments

• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has proposed to open the temple and remove the sand from the Jagamohan (Assembly Hall). To facilitate this, multiple carvings will be made on the walls and floors of the temple. Post removal of the sand, modern technology will be used by ASI to stabilize the structure.
• In this restoration effort, the ASI will be assisted by a team from IIT Madras.

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