By Meera
It is not just the erotic figures that dominate the Konark temple, but the everyday life of the common man has been etched in every wall and mandap. It takes a lot of time to see this temple as right from the base of the temple to the first floor, the outer walls are covered with different kinds of carvings. Now each set of big figures are decorated and embellished by rangoli patterns.
Ornamented with reliefs, one can find a lot of jalli patterns with intricate designs which one can find in our day to day rangoli patterns across the Hindu households. Some patterns are very minute, and one is amazed at the artistic perfection which has a jewel like quality. These are mostly geometric patterns and decorated in the best possible way with flowers and plant motifs.
Now as we climb up to the terrace, the wall here is full of sculptures in various poses of dancing where men and women are holding or playing musical instruments. And this is the famed Natyamandapa on a raised platform with rows and rows of musicians and dancers. From the sculptures, one can make out the style of dance (Odissi Nrithya), the kind of costume and jewelry worn in those days, the kind of instruments being played and likewise. The mudras and the Tribhanga postures of the dance can be clearly seen where the craftsmanship is superb, rich and vivid.
Some female figures are holding flutes while some seem to be playing the dhol (drum). Not just these, carvings of animals and birds too dominate the walls. Even aquatic creatures have been carved, however, many of them are in a state of utter ruin while some are half destroyed while some figures have lost their top half while some their bottom half.
As we look further up, we can see sculptures of deities as also in its various manifestations. Some portion of the temple wall is etched and has narratives from the Hindu texts. Just like other Hindu temples, here too, one can see a plethora of apsaras as also some legendary heavenly creatures. Apart from this, the life of the king has been depicted where he is paying obeisance to his guru. Following the Kalinga style of architecture, the Konark Temple faces the east and therefore, the first rays of the sun falls on the main entrance.
A lot of Naga Nagini sculptures are visible across many wall panels and they are half human and half serpent. On the corners of the same panel, one can see women riding horses or women in a fight sequence.
The upper levels of the temple have bigger carvings and they are of various deities. And the goddess Durga in her usual divine form where she is killing demon Mahishasuramardini is depicted very vividly. Many idols of Vishnu and Shiva are damaged as the upper half is destroyed. Vishnu is depicted in the Jagannath form while Shiva in the Linga form. However, many idols have been removed to museums says our intrepid guide Das.
The day to day life of the commoners occupies the bottom platform of the temple. The chariot wheels on the south side of Konark signifies daytime and therefore, the sculptures here pertain to work, religion and purpose of life. And these carvings are very descriptive as it highlights and shows the life of warriors, farmers, workers, and other people in detail. Hunting of animals, domesticated animals and people traveling in bullock carts, in caravans, people on the roadside enjoying a meal, festivities and processions during festival season,
Other friezes include a series of carvings where people are waiting on the roadside, a girl is washing her hair, looking into a mirror, etc. Carvings depict the family life in detail – a mother is taking leave from her family when going on a pilgrimage, a son is receiving blessings from his mother, a guru with his students, a person teaching yoga and the depiction of yogasanas, etc.
Once a completely deserted temple that was hidden in dense forest cover, today after decades of restoration, the Konark temple is slowly regaining its lost touch but one may never get to see its past glory due to natural causes and manmade attacks. It is said between 16-17th century, the damaged temple witnessed many foolish decisions like removal of stones and sculptures from the ruined temple site and so later the British rulers sealed the temple with sand to prevent it from collapsing when they failed to save it.
Ornamented with reliefs, one can find a lot of jalli patterns with intricate designs which one can find in our day to day rangoli patterns across the Hindu households. Some patterns are very minute, and one is amazed at the artistic perfection which has a jewel like quality. These are mostly geometric patterns and decorated in the best possible way with flowers and plant motifs.
Now as we climb up to the terrace, the wall here is full of sculptures in various poses of dancing where men and women are holding or playing musical instruments. And this is the famed Natyamandapa on a raised platform with rows and rows of musicians and dancers. From the sculptures, one can make out the style of dance (Odissi Nrithya), the kind of costume and jewelry worn in those days, the kind of instruments being played and likewise. The mudras and the Tribhanga postures of the dance can be clearly seen where the craftsmanship is superb, rich and vivid.
Some female figures are holding flutes while some seem to be playing the dhol (drum). Not just these, carvings of animals and birds too dominate the walls. Even aquatic creatures have been carved, however, many of them are in a state of utter ruin while some are half destroyed while some figures have lost their top half while some their bottom half.
As we look further up, we can see sculptures of deities as also in its various manifestations. Some portion of the temple wall is etched and has narratives from the Hindu texts. Just like other Hindu temples, here too, one can see a plethora of apsaras as also some legendary heavenly creatures. Apart from this, the life of the king has been depicted where he is paying obeisance to his guru. Following the Kalinga style of architecture, the Konark Temple faces the east and therefore, the first rays of the sun falls on the main entrance.
A lot of Naga Nagini sculptures are visible across many wall panels and they are half human and half serpent. On the corners of the same panel, one can see women riding horses or women in a fight sequence.
The upper levels of the temple have bigger carvings and they are of various deities. And the goddess Durga in her usual divine form where she is killing demon Mahishasuramardini is depicted very vividly. Many idols of Vishnu and Shiva are damaged as the upper half is destroyed. Vishnu is depicted in the Jagannath form while Shiva in the Linga form. However, many idols have been removed to museums says our intrepid guide Das.
The day to day life of the commoners occupies the bottom platform of the temple. The chariot wheels on the south side of Konark signifies daytime and therefore, the sculptures here pertain to work, religion and purpose of life. And these carvings are very descriptive as it highlights and shows the life of warriors, farmers, workers, and other people in detail. Hunting of animals, domesticated animals and people traveling in bullock carts, in caravans, people on the roadside enjoying a meal, festivities and processions during festival season,
Other friezes include a series of carvings where people are waiting on the roadside, a girl is washing her hair, looking into a mirror, etc. Carvings depict the family life in detail – a mother is taking leave from her family when going on a pilgrimage, a son is receiving blessings from his mother, a guru with his students, a person teaching yoga and the depiction of yogasanas, etc.
Once a completely deserted temple that was hidden in dense forest cover, today after decades of restoration, the Konark temple is slowly regaining its lost touch but one may never get to see its past glory due to natural causes and manmade attacks. It is said between 16-17th century, the damaged temple witnessed many foolish decisions like removal of stones and sculptures from the ruined temple site and so later the British rulers sealed the temple with sand to prevent it from collapsing when they failed to save it.
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