Narasimhadeva I,the great ruler of
the Ganga dynasty had built this temple,with the help of 1200 artisans within a
period of 12 years(1243-1255 A.D.).But it is really difficult to understand,how
this huge temple,every inch-space of which was so wonderfully carved,could have
been completed within such a short time.Whatever that might be,the konark
temple even in its present ruined state,still a wonder to the whole world.
The term 'Konark' seems to have been
derived from the word 'Kona' (corner) and Akra(Sun).This place is also known as
Akka-Khetra.
The eastern gateway which is the main
entrance to the temple compound,is decorated with Gajasimha (Lion upon an
elephant) images,with outward faces,installed on two high stone-benches on
either side of the passage.Two high staone benches are also provided at the
inner sides,possibly meant for the guards to sit.
The basements of the temple are
decorated with a band of about 1452 elephants in different pose.In some places
the king himself is seen moving on elephant's back,attendants holding the
Raja-Chhatra (Royal Umbrella),warriors are found proceding on elephants and
horses for a fight,holding swords and shields in their hands.Deer are chased by
the hunters in the forest or killed with bow and arrow.The pathetic departing
scene of an old lady going on pilgrimage,is most touching.She is seen blessing
her son while the daughter in-law bows down to her feet and the grand child
clings to her.
The
middle row of sculptures on the temple walls,is decorated with all sorts of
imaginary figures like Gajasardula(lion upon an elephant),Naravyala(lion upon a
man) and Nagamithunas with half-human and half-serpent couples,who
fabulously live in deep waters of the sea,where they hoard their treasules.
Male and female figures in different poses can also be seen in the same row.
The next higher row contains a number
of bigger sculptures,mostly erotic.In some carvings,the obscentity is to such a
great extent that Vatsayana,the famous author on sex-psychology,even did not
mention about similar poses in his books.Not with standing the vulgarity
presented in the erotic scenes,the sculpture reveal the through knowledge of
human anatomy that the artists had.In one scene a man is lifting a woman with
both his hands and the woman clings to his neck.In this case the sculptors have
wonderfully shown the expansion and contraction of the muscles,as a result of
his lifting the woman.It is a proof of their technical experiences of
centuries.
In the
superstructure,sandstone(khondolite) blocks of the most ordinary type were used
with close joints and secured with iron cramps,where necessary,while the
foundation and the inner core were built with laterite stones.Since the quality
of stones used in superstructure and for the motifs,were not very durable,they
were protected by a thin layer of shell-lime plaster and decorated with
beautiful and matching colours,which can still be seen in many places.it is
evident that the ornamental designs and motifs in the walls were carved in
situ,after construction works were over.
