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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