?Konark Sun Temple Essay
Arka- SunThe Mahabharata, Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita, Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas and Smriti teach us the need and significance for loving and caring nature. Nature, or Earth, was always considered as sacred and wasn’t a hostile element. The basic concept of Sanatana Dharma is that ‘God is in everything and everything is God’. Each and every organism in our universe is considered divine. While taking a look back at our olden worship scenario, Sun worship was a predominant feature of Hindu religion. According to Hindu mythology, Sun the very essence of ‘Gayatri Mantra’ (Savitur-Savitri-rising and setting sun) means Light that removes darkness from our mind and imparts us infinite knowledge which in result awakens consciousness in us. According to Vedas Surya means Su-(Supreme) and rya-(inspiring).The worship of the Sun God means the worship of all the five puranic gods and goddesses.
Reasons to worship Surya:Surya is the only God who is visible to us. Sun has a physical form who’s Light & heat is the source of energy for all living beings. Sun represents sacrifice, love & compassion—Sun is burning out for the benefit of all living beings.
Sun supplies light, energy and heat to all forms on earth by self demolition. This attitude of Sun (Lord Surya), we should adopt in our life. Not only the Sun but also many of the creations in nature teach us the attitude of selflessness, sacrifice and compassion. Puranas depict ‘Surya’ as the witness (karmasakshi) for all activities on earth. Surya is considered to be the powerful planet in astrology.Worship of Surya means welcoming light (knowledge) into our mind to remove the darkness of ignorance and unconsciousness Surya represents power and vibrancy.
By worshipping Surya we imbibe the strength, endurance and valor of him. By worshipping surya we are surrendering ourselves to the eternal light thereby burning our inner ego in his divine and eternal fire. We blaze our worldly desires and attractions in him so that we become one with him.
Surya represents eternity— Surya or fire demolishes our physical material which is the reason for our worldly attractions and comfort and thereby leading our soul (energy) into eternity. Surya represents both Static and dynamic situations of life. Surya never changes from his position which represents firmness, courage, willingness and invincibility. Sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Every situation in our life has two sides. Sorrow and Happiness always keeps on revolving. We don’t need to brood over the painful situations in our life because it won’t be constant. Sun represents the ultimate aim of our life—We should surrender ourselves to the supreme so that we attain the ultimate state in which our soul radiates light in infinite amount and never again any worldly attractions (MAYA) and desires can torment us.
Konark Temple was built by King Narsingha Deva I of Eastern Ganga Dynasty in 1250 AD as a dedication to Lord Surya / Sun God. The temple is popularly known as ‘Sun Temple’. Orissan style of art has clearly been highlighted in this magnificent architectural asset of India. The outstanding feature of this temple is that it has been built in the shape of a massive chariot which is positioned on 12 pairs of richly engraved wheels and driven by 7 vibrant horses. The 12 pairs of wheels signify 24 hours of a day.
Some believes that the wheels represent 12 months of the year and horses indicate 7 days of a week. Each wheel has a set of eight spokes and these spokes serve as sundials (A Sundial is a device that tells the time of the day by the position of the Sun). The shadows made by these sundials give exact time of the day.
At the entrance there are two lions on either side which is believed to be the guards of the temple.
