Take a look at my video: https://mouthshut.com/diary/babcqnnnm/Konark-Sun-Temple-video
*18th
Aug. 2008: **We had
to go Konark today by riding a bike. We went to Friends Tours and Travels at Chakra Tirtha Road
(popularly known as CT Road). The shop owner Babu bhaiya (Mobile No. : +91 9937069740)
gave us a Hero Honda Street motor bike on rent (Rs. 250.00 for a day + usual
petrol cost which is to be borne by myself) and we started our tour for Konark.
Babu bhaiya was very careful to us. He told us several times that, in any
problem we should contact him over telephone. We took 3 liters of petrol from a
nearby petrol pump and started our journey. We went there via Marine Drive
Road. Babu bhaiya guided us the route, though it is very simple route. The road
was very beautiful surrounded with trees on its both side. We were just
enjoying the beauty of the road and after a few while we observed that we
reached Balighai which is 20km from Puri. Here the road bifurcates in two ways
and the right side is going to Konark. Now the Sun Temple is just 16 km far
from us. We turned right and now the road became more and more beautiful. The
most of the area after Balighai is sanctuary. Just before entering
Chandrabhaga, we met the sea on our right hand side. Now we could not but stop
our bike to take a break and to enjoy the beauty of the place. Here we really
felt the grandeur of the sea. My wife thanked me for this bike ride. My
daughter was enjoying every square inch of the place. She was most delighted
after all.
Anyway we
started again and within a few minutes we reached Konark Sun Temple. First we went to book our tickets. We had a video camera with
us. So, we have to take Rs. 50.00 ticket, which permits us to take our video
camera with us. There was no separate charge for a still camera. But we had to
deposit our Tripod at the entry. Tripod is not allowed inside.
Then we
entered at the Sun Temple at Konark. It is purely an Odissy architecture which
was built in thirteenth century by King
Narasimhadeva. The then European sailors used to call it as Black Pagoda. Its
rich architecture and unbelievable arts are still a wonder of the visitors.
Though most of the sculptures badly affected and scoured. I was really shocked
to see its present condition. If you take a look at my video, you may
experience the fact. The Archaeological department is the trust of this World
Heritage. They are replacing the scoured art with just plain sand stone. Thus
the beauty of the Sun Temple is already gone. It was not that much severe when
we observed it in the year 2001.
The temple is like a chariot which is being driven by seven
pairs of horses. There are twenty four beautiful decorated wheels. One can
find three nice statues of the God Sun
on the chariot. At the entrance of the temple or at the Nat Mandir, two Royal
Lions will welcome you. The main temple is full of Kamasutra Art which is
mostly available on its second tire. There are also thousands of sculptures
which include deities, celestial and human musicians, dancers, lovers, and
myriad scenes of courtly life.
Now there is a beautiful garden inside the temple which
obviously increased the beauty. The garden is also neatly maintained by Archaeological
Survey of India. The sand stone temple over the nice green grass is really
enjoyable. I never experienced the temple in the night, but a watchman advised
me to observe the temple at least once in an evening. This time due to time
constraint I could not manage time to see its beauty in the night but obviously
I have to experience it in future.
We were there for a long four hours. As there was no hurry
from our end we enjoyed it of our own. After that long four hours inside the
Sun Temple we decided to go back as we have to drive back to Puri. On the way
we took a halt at Chandrabhaga Sea Beach.
This was a real thrill to go Konark riding on a bike. Thanks
to my wife who gave me the idea to search for a bike on rent.
Video: https://mouthshut.com/diary/babcqnnnm/Konark-Sun-Temple-video