Week 12 Story Lab

Storybook Research

Image Source

The Konark Temple Fact List:

·       Main The main temple structure and the geometrical patterns all around the temple.

·       The carved wheels and the spokes of the wheel which serve as sun dials.

·       Architectural figures including the war horses, the elephants and the guarding lions at the entrance.

·       Three images of Sun God at three direction of the temple to catch the rays of the Sun at dawn, noon and sunset.

·       The first level shows various images of nature and animals

·       The second level of the temple structure which showcases erotic images.

·       The third level showcases sculptures of deities, dancers, musicians, elephants and mythical creatures

·       The Archaeological Survey of India operates the Sun temple museum.

·       The Konark is the third link of Odisha's Golden Triangle. The first link is Jagannath Puri and the second link is Bhubaneswar (Capital city of Odisha).

·       The Konark temple is constructed as a gigantic chariot with 24 wheels about three meters high and pulled by 7 horses, housing the Sun God within.

·       Two huge lions guard the entrance, each killing a war elephant and beneath the elephant is a man. The lions represent pride, elephants represent wealth and both consumes man.

·       Konark temple was initially built on the sea bank but now the sea has receded and the temple is a little away from the beach. This temple was also known as 'BLACK PAGODA' due to its dark color and used as a navigational landmark by ancient sailors to Odisha.

·       Everyday, the Sun's rays would reach the Nata Mandir from the coast and reflects from the diamond placed at the center of the idol.

·       A heavy magnet was placed at the temple top and every two stones of the temple is sandwiched by iron plates. The idol was said to have been floating in air due to the arrangement of magnets. The magnet at the top is said to have disturbed compasses for coastal voyagers and was later on removed.

·       The Sun Temple of Konark has been declared a world heritage site by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1984.

·       Location - Puri District, State of Orissa

   

Bibliography:

http://www.thekonark.in/
https://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-asia/chariot-gods-legend-konark-sun-temple-revealed-009099

Lode Stone translation:  

kāntāyasa

Translation source:

https://www.sanskritdictionary.com/?iencoding=iast&q=magnet&lang=sans&action=Search