I visited Konark temple in Odisha for the first time in 1968. I took a State transport department bus, which was full to the brim and everyone in the overcrowded bus was sweating profusely. The 65 kms road from Bhubaneswar to Konark was narrow, but the countryside was lush green- shades of green that I have seen only in Odisha.
Thereafter I have visited Konark a number of times- the last one being in 2017. My overall impression is that the Archeological Survey of India has done an excellent work of trying to restore and maintain the temple and its surroundings.
The history of conservation of the Konark temple started in 1901, 118 years back. There were 11 reports prepared by different authorities in different years. One must feel indebted to the Indian engineer Bishan Swarup, who gave a big push to conservation of this temple. He was an engineer who worked at the site from 1901-04 and the first report was prepared by him. He pointed out that the structure faced disaster in the shape of collapse. The initial masonry work done under his supervision saved the temple from being destroyed.
The entrance is made out of chlorite stone and is profusely carved. There are eight rows of carvings with different motifs including mainly Nagas, loving couples who are depicted as celebrating life.
Thereafter I have visited Konark a number of times- the last one being in 2017. My overall impression is that the Archeological Survey of India has done an excellent work of trying to restore and maintain the temple and its surroundings.
Here is an old sketch imagining the full Konark Temple in Odisha.
The Sun Temple at Konarak – 1847. A
lithography plate from James Fergusson’s Ancient Architecture in Hindoostan
(1847) showing part of the main tower still standing.
Photo source: http://www.thekonark.in/index.html
Photo source: http://www.thekonark.in/index.html
Photo source: http://www.thekonark.in/index.html
Photo source: http://www.thekonark.in/index.html
Photo source: http://www.thekonark.in/index.html
Photo source: http://www.thekonark.in/index.html
Photo source: http://www.thekonark.in/index.html
The focus of the present article is on the entrance to Jagamohan. This what it looked like in this old photograph.
This is how the entrance looks now. Photo©KJS Chatrath2017
Photo©KJS Chatrath2017
The history of conservation of the Konark temple started in 1901, 118 years back. There were 11 reports prepared by different authorities in different years. One must feel indebted to the Indian engineer Bishan Swarup, who gave a big push to conservation of this temple. He was an engineer who worked at the site from 1901-04 and the first report was prepared by him. He pointed out that the structure faced disaster in the shape of collapse. The initial masonry work done under his supervision saved the temple from being destroyed.
Photo©KJS Chatrath2017
Photo©KJS Chatrath2017
Photo©KJS Chatrath2017
The entrance is made out of chlorite stone and is profusely carved. There are eight rows of carvings with different motifs including mainly Nagas, loving couples who are depicted as celebrating life.
Photo©KJS Chatrath2017
Photo©KJS Chatrath2017
Photo©KJS Chatrath2017
Photo©KJS Chatrath2017
Visit Odisha- the one place you must visit before dying!
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