By Medha Bajpai, educationist and columnist
We were astonished when the local guide calculated the correct time from the sundial of the Sun Temple and said that now you people should check it with your watches. When we looked at the watch, the same time was displayed.
Science talks with history
When many countries of the world were struggling to develop their civilization, at that time in our country, common people were trying to understand astronomy, concept of time and movement of planets from sundial. American historian Edward Schaefer says that sundial started from India and first reached China and then the whole world.
Konark Sun Temple is located on the seashore in Puri district of Odisha, about 35 km north east. In 1984, UNESCO has recognized it as a world heritage for its uniqueness. Although it is a temple where the Sun God was worshipped in the sanctum sanctorum, but this Sun Temple is a unique example of knowledge science, philosophy, Indian architecture, astronomy, and religious traditions. It comes forward as a major symbol of Indian culture, knowledge tradition. The ruins of this temple give evidence of its grandeur.
Konark Sun Temple, built in Kalinga Vastu style, is built in the shape of a chariot. It was constructed in 1250 AD by King Narasimha Dev I of the Ganga dynasty. It was built in such a way that the first rays of the sun fall on the place of worship and the idol of the Lord. The temple, which is in the shape of a chariot, has 12 pairs of wheels, which symbolize the 12 months of the year. And this chariot is pulled by seven horses.
At the same time, 4 of these wheels are made in such a way that they tell the time during the day. There are a total of 8 spokes in the wheel. Each spoke represents one pahar (3 hours), eight spokes represent 24 hours. When the rays of the sun fall on the spokes, the time is told by looking at their shadow. That is why these wheels are also called sundials. Even today, it is exciting to see the time from this sundial.
Today, when we understand the movement between the Sun and the Earth with complexity on the app for Zero Shadow Day, the celestial path and the astronomical movement of the Earth Sun were explained with the help of 24 wheels in the Sun Temple of that time.
Within this temple, the rays of the sun fall on specific places at specific times, which was calculated with mathematics and geometry and a deep connection was found between the temple and the Sun. This is a wonderful blend of astronomy and the concept of Indian time, 500 years before Kepler discovered the laws of motion, the definition of every day, time and orbital motion has been clarified.
Mythology of the temple and existence of energy source Sun
According to the Puranas, Lord Krishna’s son Samba was cursed by Narada ji in anger. Due to the curse, Samba suffered from skin disease. Samba performed a rigorous penance of Lord Sun at the confluence of Chandrabhaga river and the Sea. Lord Sun was pleased and cured Samba. After this, Samba decided to build a temple of Sun God in Konark. And the same idol was installed in this temple.
This story is a way to tell the people about the medicinal properties of the Sun, the source of energy. The specialty of Indian culture is that it teaches any knowledge, philosophy and morality through stories. Vitamin D is produced from the rays of the Sun, the immune system becomes stronger and the energy level improves, wounds heal, skin condition improves and sleep quality improves.
Indian knowledge traditions, philosophy of life and efforts to transfer it to the next generation are amazing. Long before the existence of photons, the Sun has been worshipped as the life giver in the Indian tradition. This temple recognises his grandeur, power and presence. The seven horses symbolize the seven colours of the sun and the seven seasons. These horses move the chariot of the sun, which depicts the continuity and changeability of creation.
Both the universe and time move in cycles, and human life is also situated between these cycles. Its purpose was not limited to religious worship only, but it also presents the Indian view towards the cycle of life, movement and change.
Sculpture, Indian Philosophy: Lessons of Impermanence
The entrance to the Konark temple, called the Bhoga Mandap, has some very interesting sculptures. A sculpture of an elephant and a lion, a crouched man with an elephant bent over him, and an aggressive lion at the top. These sculptures are in pairs in front of the eastern staircase. They have a deep meaning.
The elephant represents prosperity and the lion means pride; if a person’s prosperity turns into greed and pride into arrogance, then the end is certain. The sculptures depicting excess should be avoided everywhere make clear the Indian philosophy. The sculpture and craftsmanship involved in its construction had raised the standards of Indian art. Various types of sculptures and paintings have been carved on the walls of the temple, which reflect the lifestyle and philosophical thoughts of that time.
Unique elements of art and social structure
The Konark temple is famous for its craftsmanship and sculpture. The walls of the temple have deep carvings which are amazing from the point of view of art but through them the social system and the life of that time have also been expressed. Which contains various gods, animals, human figures, and especially religious and philosophical depictions.
The sculptures here depict the deep complexities of life and its various aspects.
The walls of the temple are engraved with various types of musical instruments, dance postures and images related to daily life, which express the cultural richness of Indian society. Thousands of humans, animals and divine people are seen working in this fair of life, which has a realism attached to it in an attractive way.
Here the natural scenery, daily routine of men and women, wonders, sexual play, entertainment, hunting, dance, music, social divisions, (elite, common, servants), presence of eunuchs, presence of religion, excellent craftsmanship, carvings, and accurate display of animal and human figures make it unique. Seeing all this, Gurudev Rabindranath had said that the stones in Konark Sun Temple speak, and this is an important link in the Indian knowledge tradition.
