RR 7 : 2/27/11

Representing circles and rules at Konarak sun temple

During the time of 1238 to 1264, King Narasimhadeva dedicated the wealth he had obtained through victorious battles to build a temple to Surya, the sun god.  The temple is shaped like a huge wooden chariot because like most Hindu temples, the deities are paraded around in a procession. 

http://blog.paradiseindia.com/?page_id=31

The temple is very representative of circles and sacred places.  For example, the temple building was designed to carry the sun in its daily path across the sky.  Twelve circles (wheels) representing the twelve months of the year were carved around the base of the temple.  Also, seven horses were carved, one for each day of the week.  Ching states, “When seen from the side at some distance, the temple seems to be on the verge of movement” (408).   

http://www.scaruffi.com/poetry/images/synall.html

The sun temple at Konarak was a place of pilgrimage.  Every February , thousands of people gather to a sacred pond on the site of the sun temple to take dips in the ponds holy waters. 

http://kimisforeign.blogspot.com/2009_07_01_archive.html

This picture is represenative of what the temple would have looked like during its era.  Here we also can see the pilgrimage gathering at the sacred spot.