Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century temple located at Konark which is about 35 kilometres from Puri city, Odisha. The temple was supposed to be built by king Narasingha Deva I of Ganga Dynasty during 1250 AD.
This temple is dedicated to Lord Surya, and this temple was built in the Odisha style of Architecture. But the cause of the destruction of the Konark temple is believed due to the invasion by the Muslim army forces during 16th Century AD. This temple is called as the "GEM TEMPLE" since the temple is very good in art and architecture.
The temple was declared by a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, and it remains a major pilgrimage site for Hindus, who used to gather here in lakhs of numbers in order to witness the beauty of the temple, though it looks slightly in a dilapidated condition. The seven horses which drive his chariot are named as: Gayatri, Brihati, Ushnih, Jagati, Trishtubha, Anushtubha, and Pankti. Surya can be seen with his consorts, Sandhya and Chaya.
We can also find sculptures of Hindu deities, including Durga, Vishnu and Shiva. We can visit this temple at least once in a year, in order to offer our humble respects to the sun god, Lord Surya Bhagavan.
WONDERFUL PRAISES ON LORD SURYA BHAGAVAN
O God, appearing in twelve forms, hail to You! Hail to the dispeller of darkness, the destroyer of cold, the exterminator of foes.
Surya the One whose extent is immeasurable, the destroyer of the ungrateful, the God who is the ruler of lights!
Hail to You, possessing the lustre of refined gold, the dispeller of ignorance, the architect of the universe, the up rooter of darkness, splendour incarnate, the onlooker of the world!
The aforesaid Lord alone actually destroys, brings into existence and sustains all that has come into being.
He radiates heat by His rays and sends showers. Planted in created beings, he remains awake when they have fallen asleep.
He Himself is the act of pouring oblations into the sacred fire as well as the fruit attained by those who pour such oblations.
He comprises the gods as well as the sacrifices as also the fruit of sacrifices. Again, He is the Supreme Controller of activities which are found in all living beings.
“OM SRI KONARKSURYADEVAYA NAMO NAMAHA”
Sent By
R. HARISHANKAR
