Sun Temple

Presented By:Aakanksha JariwalaTanvi Tanawala

Submited To:Birwa Gandhi

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1.Jagmohana2. Sanctum

The temple entrance is framed by the pilaster of the natamandirs sculpted with figure Of musician and devadasi (handmaidens of the god) also called maharis (experts in the

sacred dance,The orissi.

• The Sun Temple, built in the thirteenth century, was conceived as a gigantic chariot of the Sun God, Surya, with twelve pairs of exquisitely ornamented wheels pulled by seven horses. Majestic in conception, this temple is indeed one of the most sublime monuments of India, famous as much for its imposing dimensions and faultless proportions as for the harmonious integration of architectural grandeur with plastic allegiance. It is admittedly the best in Orissa. Its fine traceries and scrollwork, as well as the beautiful and natural cut of animal and human figures, give it a superiority over other temples.• The Temple compound measures 857 ft (261 m) by 540 ft (160 m) The alignment of the Sun Temple is on the east-west direction. • The main sanctum which (229 ft. high) was constructed along with the audience hall (128 ft. high) having elaborate external projections. • Halls to accommodate the new rituals were erected along the main axis of the temple-The Bhog mandir, A hall for the god to bless the food; and the nat mandir for the dance perfomance by devadasis.

• The temple was mounted on a huge Rath, On a number of large wheels which had to be pulled by thousands of stout men.

• The korank temple for the sun god is an allegoric stone vision of the deity as described in the rig veda.

• To Herald the beginning of the day the god rides across the heavens in a chariot by seven horses. He is ensconced in the deul of the temple & is pulled by the Jagmohan.

• In front of the jagmohan is a wideof steps bound on either side by richly caparisoned steeds regally harnessed , rearing and straining as they strive to drag the great bulk Of chariot along and fly it over the flat roofed nat mandir in front.

• The horses are flanked by two gigantic, trumpeting elephants curiously caring human torsos entwined within the trunks.

• The entire planning concept of the spectacular temple is devised out of the perfectly square plans, of the deuls, the jagmohan & the nat mandir and their precise geometric subdivisions.

• The main temple and the deuls of four accompanying deites at the cornres of the platform are all laid on the ground according to the strict regimen.

• The mathematics of the vertical & horizontal dimensions follow the dictates of the vastu shashtra, the ancient treatis on the art and science of building.

• It was approached through three entrance gate ways in the centres of the east, north and south sides which have to be overcome to the ravages of the saline sea wind and are probably burried in sand dunes that stretch out as far as the sea.

• The deul housing of the god rose to the height of 225 ft.

•The chariot like jagmohan Measures more than 50 ft square at the base & rises 100ft to the base of the pyramid cal roof over it. It was termed the “black paghoda” by sea pharos.

• Even the iron beams were used in its construction which unfortunately did not prove strong enough.

• The wheels of the chariot are sculpted with elaborate geometric patterns as well as human figures in the central meeting point of the ten spokes of each of the 24 wheels.

The colossal “statuary groups at kornak were once positioned in front of the three Flights of step to the plinth of the temple: •To nearly full size elephants to the north and To war horses with attendant and defeated warrior to the south.

•The statue of the two rampant lions on kneeling elephants that are crushing a demon use to be situated to the east but now are next to the natamandir.

Three niches containing statues of surya on the external Sides at the base of the inner sanctum can be reached by Stair ways.

The picture shows one of the gods attendants and a devotee.

In an evocation of fertility, a girl leans against a fruit Laden tree , probably a banana tree.Festoons and floral decoration fill the surface, highlighting the horror of Emptiness in Indian art.

The three enormous statues of surya himself the show god At different moments of his journey across the sky.

Whether mounted or in his seven horse carriage, theSun always looks regal and his characterized by a lotus flower, Symbol of his rays, and by other trappings used in the Persian world from which the solar image comes.

• The walls of the jagmohan are embellished, a part from erotica, with more sanguine sculptures of god & goddess on which more care has been endowed then on the erotica.

• The huge cornices of the pyramidical Jagmohan, could support larger than life,Free standing, full bodied sculptures which could be viewed from all around.

• These are statuesque figures of musicians , dancers & drummers that celebrate The rising of the sun god .

Thank you…