The Sun Temple of Konark often called as the Black
Pagoda was constructed in mid thirteenth century by Raja Narasinghs
Deva-I of the Ganga Dynasty. It is an ample testament to the artistic
glory of the time. Conceived in form of a huge chariot drawn by seven
spirited horses on twelve pairs of exquisitely decorated wheels, after
the mythical seven horse chariot of Sun God, the temple was a unique in
its architecture and implementation. Intricate carvings on the walls of
the main temple and the Natya Mandap (a separate structure just in front
of the temple) are a sight to behold. It is often considered to be the
most artistically superior among the other temples and that is saying
something when you are talking about the golden triangle of Orissa which
boast of Sri Jagannath temple and Lingraj Temple of Puri and Bhubaneswar
. Sun Temple has lost its many of its original structures to time and
disrepair but the remaining structures and the remainder of the
structures confirm till today the infinite imaginative power of the
artistes of the time and their inspiring contribution to Vaisnav
Culture.
The crowing glory of the temple architecture of Orissa the Sun Temple
at Konark plays host to the annual dance festival featuring Odissi and
other traditional dance forms. The open air stage against the back drop
of the floodlit temple reverberates with the beats of classical ragas
and thalas to transport the audience in sheer ecstasy. The accompanying
divine music and the breathtaking movements of the performers turn the
event a truly out of this world spectacle. It appears as if the entire
monument has come alive. Besides this lavish feast for the eyes and
ears, the festival involves display of traditional art and craft marking
the glorious traditions of Orissa and an exhibition of exotic Sand Art.
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