KONARK WHEEL

• The "Konark Wheel" is a prominent and iconic symbol associated with the Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Konark, Odisha, India. The Konark Sun Temple, also known as the "Black Pagoda," is a 13th-century temple dedicated to the Sun God, Surya. The temple is renowned for its stunning architectural design and intricate stone carvings.
• The Konark Wheel, also referred to as the "Chakra," is a distinctive feature of the temple's architecture. It is located at the entrance of the temple complex. This wheel is a monumental representation of the chariot of the Sun God, with 24 spokes, symbolic of the hours in a day. The wheel is intricately carved and serves both a functional and symbolic purpose
• Functionally, the Konark Wheel was designed to act as a sundial or timekeeping device. The shadow cast by the wheel's central hub, when illuminated by the sun's rays, could be used to determine the time of day accurately. This is an impressive example of ancient Indian scientific and architectural knowledge
• Symbolically, the wheel represents the cycle of time, the Sun's journey across the sky, and the eternal nature of life and the universe. It reflects the deep cultural and religious significance of the Sun God in Hinduism
• Serving as a powerful symbol of democracy, the Konark Wheel was built during the 13th century under the reign of King Narasimhadeva-I
• The wheel with 24 spokes is also adapted into India’s national flag and embodies ancient wisdom, advanced civilization, and architectural excellence.
• The rotating motion of the wheel symbolises time, or the Kalachakra, as well as progress and continuous change in the universe.
• As a symbol of the wheel of democracy, it reflects the resilience of democratic ideals, and commitment to progress in society
• In ancient times, the Konark Wheel was also used as a sundial to calculate time to a minute including day and night

• The Sun Temple, also known as Konark Sun Temple, is a 13th-century CE Sun temple at Konark, about 35 kilometres (22 mi) northeast from Puri city on the coastline in Puri district, Odisha, India
• It is dedicated to the Hindu Sun God Surya, and is one of the most famous temples in India. The temple is in ruins, but the surviving parts are still impressive.
• The temple is designed in the form of a giant chariot, with 12 pairs of wheels and 7 horses. The wheels are decorated with intricate carvings, and the horses are life-size
• The temple was built by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty in the 13th century.
• It is considered to be one of the finest examples of Kalinga architecture. The temple was damaged by a cyclone in the 16th century, and it was further damaged by invaders in the 18th century.
• The Sun Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• The Konark Wheel also reflects the richness of the Kalinga architectural style and the prosperity of ancient Odisha
• While the main temple which enshrined the presiding deity and the Natya Mandap has fallen off and only the remains can be seen, the large structure seen at present is known as the Jagamohana (the assembly hall or audience hall or Mukhasala)
• From 1900 to 1903, four entrances to the Jagamohana were sealed and filled with sand by the Britishers to provide structural stability to the monument.
• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the custodian of the temple, has started preparation for removing sand from the Jagamohana and carrying out necessary preservation work.