Dedicated to the Sun God, a photo from Orissa, East

Photographer's Note

This is the Sun Temple in Konark (or Konarak) in the Indian state of Orissa (Odisha), a relatively short drive along the coast northeast of Puri, where my latest photos were taken.

This is one of the most famous temples in India, built in the 13th century and dedicated to the Hindu Sun God Surya. It was largely destroyed sometime between the 15th and 17th centuries, possibly by Muslim armies, and was partly restored during British rule of India. It was declared a world heritage by the UNESCO in 1984. (source: Wikipedia.)

The temple is built like a huge chariot with large wheels on the sides and drawn by horses, all carved from stone. A few years ago I posted this photo of the temple:

https://www.trekearth.com/viewphotos.php?l=7&p=1530237

I have no memory of actually being inside the temple, and I'm not sure if it is at all possible to get inside. I think the interior is just a heap of rubble. But I spent an hour or so climbing the exterior all around and up on the roof. You can see people doing the same tour.

Two workshop photos show some of the stone carvings on the lower part of the fa鏰de. All photos were scanned from Kodachrome slides.

ChrisJ, ikeharel, alvaraalto, pierrefonds, jhm, ktanska, Royaldevon, PaulVDV, jean113, jemaflor, adramad, Fis2, COSTANTINO, mcmtanyel has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

pajaran (115941) 2021-01-10 0:43

Pozdrav.
lepo mesto i stara arhitektura, dobro pokazano sa lepim boajma, kontrastom i dobrim tekstom.
lep stari Hram.
Dobar rad skeniranjem slajda, lepa uspomena.
Lepe fotografije u radionici.
lepa fotografija i uhvaceni trenutak sa posetiocima.
Zelim vam lep dan za odmor, sve najbolje.
Paja.

ChrisJ (171852) 2021-01-10 0:45

Hej Gert

At first I thought you had been to Mexico or Central America. I've never seen this style of Indian architecture before. The temples at Prambanan, East Java, & Angkor Wat are quite different. Good sharpness and the path at left adds perspective. The people provide scale. Tfs!

ikeharel (113385) 2021-01-10 1:15

Impressive sight of the temple, Gert, notable how many small art & traditional objects depicted upon the main edifice all around, as we see some of them on the WS's.
Good division over the picture from green to blue sky aloft.
Have a nice sunday,
Ike

Silvio1953 (221659) 2021-01-10 1:35

Ciao Gert, great view of fantastic temple, loveely composition with walking family, splendid light, wonderful colors, fine details and excellent clarity, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

lousat (139298) 2021-01-10 1:58

Hi Gert,a pity that this temple has not arrived intact to the present day, but as I read it has had a very difficult history. You can see in the WS the quality of the workmanship and details, truly magnificent. Excellent capture of this part, the quality of the photos is really excellent. Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

alvaraalto (42804) 2021-01-10 2:50

Hello Gert,
It is always fascinating to see what impressive buildings were all and are built over the world to honor the locally ruling god. Unfortunately, too many people thought and think that their god is better than the god of another and their houses of worship should appear all over the world.
This beautiful series also shows your excellent scan work.
Have a nice Sunday, Groet Rob

pierrefonds (114494) 2021-01-10 4:45

Hi Gert,

The presence of the personsd has an effect of scale. The point of view is showing the details of the Sun Temple. The light is bringing out the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

jhm (211736) 2021-01-10 6:01

Hello Gert,

Nice panorama image, excellent taken with the Sun Temple in Konark
It seems a little bit mountain atmosphere, but with wonderful old architecture.
Wonderful contrast too, image with custom colors.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice Sunday,
John

ktanska (44788) 2021-01-10 6:43

Hej Gert,
Very special old temple. Quite different from anything I have seen. No wonder it is famous, although I hadn't heard of it. Interesting experience to climb on such a place. There are lots of statues up there.
Kari

Royaldevon (85932) 2021-01-10 7:07

Hello Gert,

Firstly, let me say that this is a better scan than the previous one. The colours are more natural and you used a good lead line.
I know you like figures in your photographs but, in shots, like this, they really are necessary to confirm the scale of the buildings.

It really is an amazing temple, with so many sculptures and so many layers. I am amazed at its design, though to be honest, I can see a chariot shape.

The close-ups of the sculptures are excellent additions. The sculptures have obviously studied the animals carefully to create such fine reproductions.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

PaulVDV (62944) 2021-01-10 7:57

Hello Gert,
The possibility to view this temple from the outside and climb up to the roof is already something.
I don't remember seeing stone carvings of crocodiles with a fish in the mouth anywhere in India. It probably has to do with who the temple was dedicated to. But the stone colour of the crocodile here is very beautiful.
Also in Hampi, Karnataka I saw a lot of stone carvings and sometimes very small. But the meticulous detail work demands even more admiration.
Good inclusion of the man on top of the stairs in front of the statue. He makes it easier to estimate the dimensions of the temple.
Best regards, Paul

GyurMaster (24838) 2021-01-10 8:20

Dear Gert,

Its a fine postcard, which is well-composed (eg the road and the family is placed just in the right place). Too bad you don't have an extra WS to show the more interesting photo. :)

Best Wishes,
Gy
PS: I liked you comment with the 'strange little monster'

jean113 (27887) 2021-01-10 8:30

Hello Gert, three excellent scanned shots.
I can抰 see the shape of a chariot in its design though, my imagination won抰 quite stretch to that!
The carving is wonderful, beautifully done. The fish in the mouth of the crocodile still in beautiful condition.
The main shot is taken from a very good angle. And good to see some people providing a sense of scale.
Thanks for sharing, kind regards, Jean.

emka (158198) 2021-01-10 8:40

Hi gert
Finally famost sun temple from konark. I. Would love to see it.
I left my family in matemwe and came to page. This journey is unreal like a dream.
Warm regards
Malgo

jmdias (115208) 2021-01-10 9:23

gert

a chariot as the one used by Apollo, coincidences..
nice view of the temple, something ruined, but probably so huge even the iconoclasts wouldn't be able to destroy it.
---an isolated summer rain at south, here terribly hot and humid..
take care

jorge

Tue (92402) 2021-01-10 10:30

Hej Gert,
Et meget godt billede af den imponerende tempelbygning, der, selv om nogle dele ser lidt ruineret ud, stadig har mange smukke detaljer der st錼 godt frem fra den lysebl� himmel. Familien er godt kommet med og viser hvor stort templet er.
Lars

ifege (48135) 2021-01-10 21:41

Hi Gert
Per usual, a good trio of scans from your extensive archives. They remind me of the old ruined temples around the Jogjakarta area.
cheers
Ian

jemaflor (147184) 2021-01-10 23:47

Hi Gert,
Well photographed and presented with your note this temple, good vertical photo, nice sunlight, interesting post, tfs.

adramad (73004) 2021-01-11 10:22

Hi Gert.
Fantastic photo of this temple, of a style quite different from the ones we find in India, it is a shame that it has suffered destruction throughout its long history, the highest part finished in a round shape attracts attention. The detail of the sculptures in the WS are spectacular
Point of view, sharpness, lightness, color and the chosen composition are excellent.
A very beautiful photo. I like it.
You have a good day.
Best regards.
Luis.

Fis2 (170807) 2021-01-11 12:28

Witaj Gert!
A very interesting building, I like it.
Curious detail in WS.
Good framing, colors and sharpness.
Excellent picture from Your archive.
Good evening.
Krzysztof

COSTANTINO (116542) 2021-01-11 17:13

Hello dear Gert and have a nice
day and a happy evening
worthseeing ancient construction
called as the Sun Temple in the
Indian state of Orissa
regards
Costantino

kasianowak (17676) 2021-01-18 12:13

Great collection of 6 photos (including the trio you added the link to; I have already commented on those so can't say anything but it was good to have another look) showing this temple from different angles. The main photo was taken at the perfect time of day for the direction of the sunlight and it's nice you captured the local family visiting. I also really like the details in WS even though you didn't include the erotic carvings. ;-)

mcmtanyel (68569) 2021-07-25 22:02

Hello Gert,
Again, a very interesting building, but it needs some TLC. Is it still used as a temple or is it just ruins?
Regards,
MT