THE WONDER--TEMPLE AT KONARK

               
 

Front view of the temple

The chariot wheel

             

         

Rising Sun

Midday Sun

                                     

Erotic figures on sides  of the chariot

Entrance of the temple

                                     

ARUNA STHAMBA IN PURI

Surya's Statue in Delhi Museum

         

statue near entrance

The left overs of main temple

                 






             

scuptures of dancers in dancing hall

dancing damsels

                           












                               1)      Aloof away from the bustle of crowded towns
                                   And  Once a busy port for all in ancient days
                                   Not far from sea this sun-temple well-known;
                                   And where saints did penance and obtained grace
                                   Though ruined now, still shines with glorious past
                                   Beyond our fancy her heavenly art 
                                   Filled with wondrous beauty and skill in every part.

                            2)     This chariot-shaped shrine built in black granite
                                    With its massive pagoda of imposing height
                                    Fitted with iron beams to strengthen its might
                                    With powerful magnets atop to hold its weight
                                    An unparallelled technical marvel we find
                                    Where arts and sciences blend unique in kind
                                    A grandiose construction amazing every mind.

                           3)      The magnetic pull deflected the ships aground
                                    The enemies envious of royal power
                                    Bombarded the peak with a thundering sound
                                    Like melting clouds down crased the weighty tower
                                    Desecrated by foes the sanctum at last
                                    Her lofty pillars and sculptures lost
                                    Still seen a huge pile of fragmented wonders vast.

                          4)       Lord Surya made of finest chlorite stone
                                    In dark green glossy hue with majestic face
                                    Girdled in gold and decked with diamond crown
                                    Facing east adored by heavenly fays
                                    A stalwart standing figure with brilliant hue
                                    From ravages of foes some one did rescue
                                    By whom or where -- beyond our guess or view.

                         5)       The rising sun in His fresh splendor shone 
                                   Holding in His hands two lotus-blooms upright
                                   In His golden chariot by seven steeds drawn
                                   In southern niche chiselled in glossy chlorite
                                   As angels kneel with reverence and devoutly greet
                                   While divinities danced with rhythmic beat
                                   Like Brahma, shone Haridashwa, a visual treat.

                        6)        Blazing His way towards the western hill
                                   The mid-day sun rode on His running steed
                                   Sitting erect, like Rudra, with mighty will
                                   While angels praised His dazzling dynamic speed
                                   With invigorating strength burst forth His rays
                                   Destroyer Of Evil, chasing darkness away!
                                   Energise us, Vivaswan! Guide us in righteous ways!

                        7)        The setting sun in northern niche is found
                                   Seated on His weary stallion that bent
                                   Its legs tired with its long diurnal round
                                   The Lord like Vishnu seemed as he slowly went
                                   Exhausted after His day's arduous ride
                                   Flanked by His consorts and guards standing beside
                                   Infusing hope with His crimson countenance espied.

                       8)        Twelve pairs of stony wheels support the shrine
                                  On the paneled sides of the chariot do we find
                                  Carved miniature figures with gestures fine
                                  With sensual appeal as if to test our mind
                                  Lovers engaged in impassioned amorous play
                                  Unashamed with bare limbs in sexual postures lay
                                  A treasure of sensual pleasures in tempting ways.

                      9)         Indulging in free sex with many a maid
                                  The lover gave no scope for any complaint;
                                  Young couples interlocked under the serpent-shade
                                  The passionate maid raged without restraint
                                  With her many lovers in frenzy played;
                                  A horde of animals and birds in wooded glade
                                  A candid celebration of life displayed.

                  

Dancing hall

Konark Dance Festival

                                              

sculptures of dancers

Sculptures on the walls

                                                                    






                    10)         The dancing hall, the crest jewel of art
                                  On lofty plinth with massive pillars in sand-stone
                                  With sculptured designs engraved on every part;
                                  In graceful postures dancing damsels shown;
                                  Though roofless now, once beamed with glittering lights
                                  Where royal dancers whirled with musical delight
                                  Worshipping Aditya, lord of life-giving light.

                    11)         Here son of Krishna did penance intense
                                  Bathing in holy river which merged with the sea
                                  For twelve long years in the forest dense
                                  Praying to Sun to get cured of his leprosy;
                                  Blessed by Lord he found an idol on the strand
                                  Installed it with joy in the temple grand
                                  And many more temples rose on this sacred land.

                    12)         Lord Vishnu left his Lotus near the river side
                                  And in Sri Kshestra, His white conch divine
                                  After slaying the demon with victorious pride
                                  This place attained fame as the Lotus-Shrine;
                                  Resisting mighty foes and Time's devouring sway;
                                  Let us protect this heritage in every possible way
                                  This marvelous epic in stone for ever to stay.

                                                  XX****************************XX


        Note:

            1)     Konark temple, built in black granite, (often called 'The Black
                    pagoda") was built during the reign of Narasimhadeva in 13 th
                    century near the shore of the sea to commemorate his victory
                    on his enemies.Even before this temple, there was evidence that 
                    a temple had been constructed in 7th century by Pundara Kesari,
                    or Puranjaya of Somavamshi dynasty. There used to be another 
                    temple dating back to 9th century. In ancient times in Mitravana
                    near the shores of the sacred river Chandrabhaga, Samba, son of
                    Sri Krishna, did penance here for 12 years to get cured of leprosy,
                    as a result of a curse from his father. While bathing in the river he
                    saw a beautiful statue of sun-God made by Viswakarma out of Lord
                    Surya's body.He installed it in the temple. Now no trace of these old 
                    temples remain. In course of time the river was dried up and the
                    sea moved back nearly  two miles away from this site. Once konark
                    was a busy port and the kings  had trade connections with south
                    eastern countries.
           
          2)      In 1243 King Narasimhadeva defeated Tughan Khan, Governor of 
                   Bengal appointed by Nasiruddin Mahummad, sultan of Delhi. He
                   built this temple to commemorate his victory. In 1568  the temple
                   was damaged by the army of Kalapahad, Muslim General of the
                   Mughal Governor during the reign of Mukunda Gajapathi. In 17th
                   century the foreigners dismantled the  huge tower containing
                   powerful magnets on its top as their ships were diverted from right
                   direction. The huge 229-feet tall tower fell and the main idol in
                   the sanctum was rescued from damage by the king of Khurda who
                   took it to Puri and installed it within the temple premises. But some
                   are of the opinion that it was in Delhi Museum or it might have been
                   carried away by the foreigners. The Aruna Stambha, a lofty pillar
                   measuring about 33 feet and 8 inches,at the entrance of the temple
                   was taken away to Puri temple by the Maratha Guru, Sri Brahmachari
                   Gosain during the reign of Divyasinghadev. 

           3)    The main sanctum of the temple is filled with sand and rocks and is
                   no more accessible. The 229-feet audience hall (Jagamohan) and
                  129-feet high dining hall (Bhog Mandir) survive. One can see the 
                  sculptures of gods and goddesses along with beautiful designs on
                  walls and pillars of these two halls.Though the main idol was missing
                  one can see three Surya images carved in chlorite stone outside on
                  three walls of the temple showing the morning sun, midday sun and
                  setting sun carved in a befitting style with gods and angels escorting
                  the Lord of light. The Prashantha Surya (creator) in the morning seems
                  calm and peacful with fresh vigour and energy. The mid-day sun or
                  Madhyanha Surya, like Rudra, appears powerful destroying dark forces.
                  The Astachala Surya or setting sun seems tired with his long journey 
                  and like Lord Vishnu, the protector, seems peaceful and gentle. Once
                  there had been 22 subsidiary temples of various gods and goddesses
                  around this huge shrine. Most of them were destroyed by the enemies
                 and now only the ruined shrine of Maya Devi (spouse of Surya) is seen
                 on the south western side of the main temple. There is another ruined
                 temple of Vishnu with sculptures of trivikrama, Balaram and Varaha

                 found on the site.

4) The main attraction of the temple is the huge chariot which formed the foundation for the temple.The chariot has 12 pairs of wheels (each measuring about nine feet and nine inches in diameter) beautifully decorated with carved designs on its axis and borders and the chariot drawn by seven horses, four on the right and three on the left. Now only six horses are seen.The wheels,like sun dials, show time accurately to a minute by the shadow of the sun's rays that fall on their rims.On the sides of the chariot one can see an astounding variety of life styles, characters and fashions of various times.Various animals,birds,royal persons,common people,gods,mythical animals,demon,yakshas (demi-gods),and serpent-couples are carved with minute details.Especially the erotic poses of loving couples sculptured as per rules of Kama Sutra make one remember the Khajuraho sculptures  which are well-known for their sexual and amorous appeal.The reason behind this type of sculptures is to show the importance of sensual enjoyments in the lives and also to show that sensual pleasures should not be looked down with ascetic attitude. Some say that these sexual sculptures were meant to ward off evil spirits.Anyhow these sculptures show the intense emotional life led by the people of those times.

     5)       The Dancing hall erected just in front of the temple is a marvellous
               piece of architecture showing the poses of various dancers dressed
               and ornamented in various styles. The Odissi dance evolved from this
               picturesque demonstration of these sculptures.Even now Konark Dance
               Festival is celebrated in the open air auditorium in the backdrop of the
               majestic sun temple in the month of December, a tradition instituted by
               the late Odissi Padma Shree Guru Gangadhar Pradhan since 1989. 
  
               References :

                       1)    Haridashwa  =One whose chariot is drawn by green-colored
                               horses or who wins the hearts of others by his handsome 
                               personality.

                       2)      Vivaswan  = Master of the rays who shines brightly.

                       3)      Aditya     =   Son of Aditi (Mother of gods) or one
                                                   who removes sorrow or suffering.


                      4)     Twelve forms of Surya in twelve months of the year :
                              Dhata, Aryama, Mitra, Varuna, Indra, Vivaswan, Tvastha,
                              Vishnu, Anshuman, Bhaga, Pusha and Parjanya. 

              5)  After slaying the demon = Vishnu after slaying Gayasur left His                                       conch in Puri, His Discus in Bhuvaneshwar, His mace in Jajapur                                   and His lotus in Konark of his victory. Hence Konark is called                                        Lotus shrine or "Padma Kshetra". 

                  This temple was declared as world heritage site by UNESCO in 1984.

                          

                 "Konark was a superhuman work and an archaeological marvel."

                "Here the language of stone surpasses the language of man."-- Tagore
         
                                  ******************************************* 


                          28th March, 2015                          Somaseshu Gutala






                                  
                                  

                                      
                      
                                 

                     


                    
                                     

                                    
    

                                  

HYMN TO LORD JAGANNATH

        

                                                     HYMN TO LORD JAGANNATH

     
                   

Lord Jagannath with Balabhadra and Subhadra

                     

     

Puri Temple

                            1)      The surging crowds moved with a hasty stride
                                      Pushing and nudging in irregular ways
                                      Eager to go to the forefront, a curious craze
                                      Crushed in between, we moved with the tide
                                      With grinning faces the deities stood
                                      Symbols of perennial bliss in logs of wood. 

                             2)      In colorful garbs with broad innocent grin
                                      With broad faces and brilliant bulging eyes
                                      With painted lips--a strange surprise
                                      These wooden forms--all hearts of devotees win;
                                      Hail Lord Jagannath! Holiest Lord!
                                      Thy grace we seek, all-seeing God!

                            3)      Drest in golden attire amidst the shining lights
                                     With dangling nose-rings and crowns the idols gleam
                                     As people push forward to see the gods supreme
                                     Shouting your names aloud with frenzied delight
                                     Though not full-shaped or beautifully wrought
                                     Your devotees feel elated with ecstasy fraught. 

                          4)       Thy white round bulging eyes with mercy shone
                                     Wide-open as if with overwhelming grace
                                     To liberate us from ignorant worldly maze
                                     No stretching of palms, no show of protection;
                                     Your lustrous big round eyes enough to save us all
                                     To lift us from these depths of mighty fall. 
                        
                         5)        Oh Lord! Once you appeared in sparkling sapphire stone
                                     Granting every wish to your devotees great
                                     As moral values sank to a degraded state
                                     Vanished from there thy shining form anon
                                     As kings yearned and begged thee before Thy door
                                     You came back as a tree-trunk washed ashore.

                        6)         The godly sculptor summoned to shape Thy form
                                     Hidden in a secret cave he worked unseen
                                     The queen impatient went inside the den
                                     No sculptor seen, perplexed she raised an alarm
                                     Half-finished figures of idols she found
                                     HandlessTrio, in rough-hewn shapes upon the ground.
                                              
                            
                       7)          Oh Lord! Manifested in this half-finished form
                                    Yourself chose to appear in a log of wood;
                                    Encaged in earthly mold, in egoistic mood
                                    Can we behold your bright effulgent charms?
                                    Our vision too earth-bound to see Thee entire
                                    A glimpse of Thee, enough Your grace to inspire.



                          

Holy Offerings to Lord

       

Chappan Bhogh ( 56 dishes)

                     8)          As befits Thee, Poojas done in splendid ways
                                  Rich garments and jewels changed from time to time
                                  Six times a day with choicest dishes sublime
                                  Cooked in mud-pots in cells untouched by rays
                                  Large vessels with sweets, rice and cakes full-fraught
                                  Thy holy prasad makes us feel blessed in our hearts.



                       

Famous Rath Yatra

     

Nil Chakra

Decorated Lord Jagannath

Gundachi Mandir

 
                       













                    9)          The grand procession of Lord--a marvelous sight
                                  Even for gods to see: our sins of ages past
                                  Dissolve by viewing this congregation vast;
                                  Enshrined in towering chariots bright
                                  Painted in colors of red, yellow, black and blue
                                  The Holy Siblings glisten before our view.

                  10)          Lakhs of devotees flock to draw Thy chariots great
                                  Vying with one another to touch the ropes and greet
                                  As if they touched Thy holiest lotus-feet;
                                  Earth and Heaven resound Thy name in rapturous state;
                                  Oh Merciful Lord! Thou givest free darshan to one and all  
                                  God of gods!  Hail Jagannath ! Listen to our humble call !

                  11)           Since centuries hallowed this place again and again
                                  So many saints, poets and kings adored Thee Lord !
                                  And felt the inmost charms of the blue-skinned God
                                  And sang soul-stirring songs in sweetest strain
                                  Saint Jayadev and Gaurang immersed in devotion
                                  Inspired all with their intense emotion.

                 12)            Pranams to Lord Jagannath of the eastern seas!
                                  Thy glowing blue discus upon Thy temple peak
                                  Gladdens our hearts, Thy blessings we seek;
                                  Thy darshan enough to feel celestial peace;
                                  Drive out polluting thoughts and selfish greed
                                  Clean surroundings and selfless love we need.
                                  
                                          ***********************************************
                                  
                      1)    Puri is one of the sacred four pilgrimage centres revered by Hindus.
                             the others being, Madhura, Dwaraka, and Rameshwaram. They are
                             collectively called Char Dham (four places).  Puri is called as
                           "Sri Kshetra" or "Purushottama Kshetra". This temple was very
                             ancient. According to sacred texts, even in Tretha Yuga, Krishna's
                             idol made of sapphire stone manifested itself under a banyan tree.
                             It was very powerful and granted boons to anyone. In course of
                             time it vanished. The Malwa King Indradhyumna  erected the temple
                             for the wooden idols which were left half- finished when his queen
                            Gundachi tried to interrupt the divine Sculptor's (Vishwakarma)
                            work in the secret chamber. In1078  the eastern Ganga king Anantha
                            Varma re-built the temple. The present structure was done in 1174.

                     2)   St.Jayadeva: A poet-saint born in the beginning of 12 th century and
                           and a contemporary of the king Anantha Varma, born in Kendull. 
                           His famous collection of lyrics"Gita Govindam" glorifies the love of 
                           Radha and Krishna and inspired Madhura Bhakti Movement.

                    3)   Sri Chaitanya : A monk and social reformer born in Nava Dweep, 
                          in Bengal, popularised Krishna Bhakti Movement, called Gowdiya   
                          Vaishnav Siddanta. He spent many years in Puri and felt intense
                          emotion in presence of Lord Jagannath. Many other monks and 
                          eminent philosophers like Srimad Sankaracharya, Srimad Ramanuja
                          charya, Sri Vallabhacharya, St. Ramanada, Sri Gurunanak etc visited
                          this sacred place and found mental peace.

                 4)     The Holy Siblings: Lord Sri Krishna with his sister Subhadra and his 
                         elder brother, Balabhadra are the presiding deities of this holy shrine.

                 5)    The Blue Discus: Also called Nilchakra is a very big discus made of 
                         eight metals with a circumference of about eleven meters seen on the 
                          peak ofthe temple. It is different from the Sudarshan Chakra enshrined
                          in the  temple along with other holy idols. 

                6)  Chariot festival : In the month of Aashada (June or July) the the three
                     sacred idols of Lord Jagannath, Sri Balabhadra and Subhadra are taken
                     in a grand procession in gigantic chariots .The chariot of Lord 
                    Jagannatha is draped in red and yellow cloth while that of Sri 
                    Balabhadra is draped in red and blue. The  chariot of sister Subhadra is
                    draped in red and black.The idols are worshipped and kept  in Gundachi's
                    Mandir  for nine days and later brought back with great  pomp and
                    devotion. these are changed and new idols are   carved once in twelve
                    years from the logs that are washed ashore.

Sea Beach , Puri

Sand Sculpture

                    

                                  Ref:   1)     Pooja ---  Worship  
                                         
                                            2)     Prasad --- things offered to God

                                            3)     Darshan --- viewing God 

                                            4)     Blue-skinned God -- Lord Krishna

                                                *********************************************

        5-03-2015                                                                              SOMASESHU  G
                      



                              
                                


                               

                               
                  

                                         

UNDER THE PIPAL TREE

                                                     
                                              UNDER THE PIPAL TREE


     
               


















   

       











                               1)        The temple yard with massive trees
                                     Strong pillared structures with leafy domes
                                     A spacious shelter for birds and monkeys
                                     Around which pilgrims bow and roam.
                                     Praying to thousands of black curved forms
                                     Engraved on stones, eye-catching charms.

                          2)       Devotees pray with humble hearts and stay
                                    With eyes closed, mumbling divine names;
                                    The pleasant cool breezes throw away
                                    Their worries and light Bhakti's flames;
                                    They offer rows of lights deckt with dark red
                                    And yellow powder, to snakes without dread.

                          3)       Pouring milk in streams over serpent-stones
                                    Chanting mantras in pious tones;
                                    As scents of myrrh and camphor spread
                                    Reciting prayers couples tread
                                    A festive glow surrounds the place entire
                                    With colorful blooms and lamp-lit fire.

                         4)       The priests busied themselves with rites
                                   Chanting slokas and waving lights
                                   Aspiring for booty from devotees there
                                   Tied to one place to earn their labor's share;
                                   The graceful hooded gods beseem to say
                                   Lessons of truth to those who truly pray.

                         5)       Like saints installed under the peepal trees
                                   Unmindful of weather and intense heat
                                   No venomous shapes, but divinities indeed
                                   Wish-fulfilling gods without greed
                                   Giving progeny and domestic bliss
                                          Removing time-old curse with mental peace.



                                  

     










                         6)       Round and round the devotees turned--
                                   Around the stony serpents adorned
                                   With jasmine and rose-plaited chains
                                   Tinged with saffron-mixed-yellow grains--
                                   Seeking blessings from serpent-deities
                                   For their family's health and longevity.

                        7)        The serpents shone with mysterious glow
                                   As if responding to their feelings' flow
                                   Their eyes opened wide gazed so bright
                                   Hissing blessings with hoods upright;
                                   Denizens of three worlds in various forms
                                   True ornaments of gods and nature's charms.

                       8)         Paired serpents intertwined in graceful pose
                                   Some like hydras with multiple hoods rose;
                                   Milk-tinted glistened with sleek silver shine
                                   With full-spread hoods and moon-lit eyne
                                   Upright standing on folded coils
                                   Benefactors of the sons of the soil.

                       9)         The primates viewing the devotees meek
                                   Skipped and played  hide-and-seek
                                   Leaping over the harmless serpents carved
                                   Giving no chance to mongrels starved
                                   Seizing offerings with lightning speed
                                   Shocked devotees wonder at their greed.

                       10)       Bless us, Holy symbols of creative force!
                                   Driving the diverse folds of the universe;
                                   Harbingers of bliss and mystic force divine
                                   That lies concealed in human spine;
                                   Unwind the potent forces of our mind
                                   Unfold the lotus sealed in conscience behind.


              Ref:            

              a)    Bhakti= Deep devotion
              b)    Mantras = devotional hymns with mystic power"
              c)    Slokas  =  devotional metrical verse
              d)    dark red and yellow powder= vermilion and turmeric used in worship
              e)    saffron-mixed yellow grains= rice grains mixed with vermilion and
                     turmeric powder, used in worship.
               f)    time-old curse= the burden of curse caused due to indiscriminate
                      killing of cobras by people, called naga dosha.
              g)    The lotus = In yogic terminology the lotus symbolizes 
                     spiritual enlightenment

               Note:  1)  In Indian tradition the peepal tree is considered as very sacred--
               a veritable symbol of Holy Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. 
              Generally under its branches small stone idols of gods, especially those
              of serpents, are seen in many temples. Lord Krishna also told Arjuna
              that among mighty trees, his power has assumed the form of the peepal
              tree. So people walk with devotion around this tree (Pradakshina) with
              the hope of getting blessings of this wish-fulfilling tree.

             The idols of serpents occupy a very prominent place in Hindu mythology. 
             They are considered as symbols of pro-creation and domestic bliss.
             Lord Subrahmanya (Son of Shiva and Parvathi) is worshipped in the form
             of a serpent symbolising creative force and the mystic force called 
             kundalini which lies concealed inside the spine. Many gods are shown
             wearing serpents as ornaments to indicate their mastery over this mystic
             power. This serpentine power spreads through all worlds of creation
             which is shown as multiple folds of creative force like that of the coils of
             Anantha, the lord of all serpents.   

                                      =========================                    
                                   
          25th February, 2015                                             Somaseshu G