The Main Temple             The temple is built on a large platform on which can be found the sanctuary and its attached porch. A little away from the eastern front is the bhoga mandapa (or the dancing hall, as some would say). The base is designed as a mammoth chariot with twenty-four wheels drawn on seven horses (three on the north and four on the south). Three flights of steps will take you to the top of the platform. There is a low plinth of a structure called upana below the platform and the staircases. The Upana             The facade of the upana, which bears some ornate chaitya- window motifs, has some very fascinating friezes. Elephants in their forest retreat is the usual motif. They eat and play and give birth, fondle each other. In one scene on the south face, some elephants are seen drinking water in a river. One is infact being attacked by a crocodile. In several panels can be seen the kheda operation of capturing elephants.             Then there are the military marches with elephants, cavalry and infantry. There are scenes of elephants trampling other animals, hunting of boar, deer and even lions, a caravan, a tug of war (on the south face), a king and a queen, and interestingly, a giraffe. The Platform             The facade of the platform is over 4m high. The sides of the stairways, on the each, north and west, have five horizontal parts. On them can be seen carvings of creepers, leaves, flowers and lotus-petals. There are animals too.             In the niches are kanyas (damsels) in all their feminine grace. Some of are wringing out wet hair, furtively looking out of the door, standing under a tree and holding a branch, lovingly touching a bird, arranging the hair, playing on a veena and being disturbed by monkeys. On the south face is a touching scene - an old mother takes leave of all on setting out on a pilgrimage. She blesses her son while the daughter-in-law takes the dust of her feet and the grand child chings to her.             The upright slabs show a rampant vidala, a lion-like figure on an elephant. There are nagas  or nagunis (fabulous creatures resembling serpents but with human heads) sometimes in embrace. The charming kanyas are much like the damsels in the miches.             On the east side a youth is seen practising archery. Facing him are a few armed men with folded hands. On the south side are a priest and a king with his attendants. It shows a temple with images of Mahishasuramardini and Jagannath and a linga. On the west face of the south side is a prince with a dagger. He appears to be in love with himself. He is looking at his reflection in a mirror. On the south side is a prince with a dagger. He appears to be in love with himself. He is looking at his reflection in a mirror. On the south side again, a king on an elephant receives ovation while a group of foreign traders give hm presents. The Wheels             The wheels are the most striking aspect of the temple. Now, they are often used as logo symbolising progress and dynamism. Each wheel has sixteen spokes - eight are broad and eight others are thin. They are finely carved with flowers, creepers, beaded strings and windows. On the medallions are carved image of Surya, Vishnu, Isana, Isain, and erotic figures. There is amazing skill in these representations. The Porch (Jagamohana)             The porch was meant to be the audience hall for the devotees. A good view of the front on the eastern side is rewarding. Perhaps the most beautiful thing to look at is the eastern door-frame. There are figures standing under a tree. A  naga with a water-pot, a graceful lady, two kinnaras (half human and half animal) playing on a cymbal and a flute attract the visitors. There is the interesting carving of playful children at the game of dalimankudi or manushya kautuki. Above the middle segment of the bottom tier is an image of Bhairava inspiring awe with his six arms, four heads, grim face, open mouth, red burning hair and a garland of human heads. Take heart. Figures of voluptuous young women stand out in sharp relief against the frightful image of Bhairava, and radiate light and joy. The Sanctuary             A large part of it caved in long ago. The original tower stood at a height of 76 metres. You have already known that a portion was still in tact in 1837. It crumbled by 1869. On the lowest part in the niches are carvings of a king in various roles - in the palace, in court or elsewhere. There is the rare figure of a person, perhaps a preacher, in meditation.             The lions-on-elephants motif can be seen here as in the porch. Fairly on the lower part of the temple, on the eastern side, is the image of a kanya. One can also see here a large image of Surya standing grandly on a chariot pulled by seven horses with Aruna at command. The Fierce Guards             The doorways are guarded, on three sides, by fierce beasts. On the east are two lions standing on elephants, on the north are two richly caprisoned elephants, and on the south are two stallions, the "Impetuous Horses with Attendants". These colossi are examples of superb workmanship.             The Aruna Stambha, which originally stood in front of the eastern staircase of the porch, was removed by the Marathas in the eighteenth century and planted at the gateway of Jagannath Temple. The Bhoga Mandap             The Bhoga Mandap or hall of offering is situated in front of the porch. Some take it to be the natamandira. The carvings on its platform, which is also built on pancharatha plan (with five projections), resemble those on the main temple. There are four large pillars in the centre. The roof is missing. Mayadevi Temple             It is situated in the south-west of the main temple. Mayadevi was one of the wives of Surya. Perhaps the temple was originally meant for Surya. Some believe that the image, called Ramachandi, was removed from here and was installed in a place by that name on the sea, 8 km away from Konark. It happened in the sixteenth century when the Muslims under Kalapahad attacked the temple.             At the top, in the niches, are the dikpalas, the guardians of eight quarters. There are Yama on the buffalo holding a noose, pot-bellied Varuna on a Makara, Vayu on a deer, Kubera on a lotus, the four-armed Isana on a bull.             In the sanctuary can be seen the image of the six-armed Nataraj carrying in his hands a snake, a kettle-drum and a trident. Two hands are in a dancing pose with the right one showing abhaya mudra (gesture of protection). Vaishnava Temple             It is situated in the south-west of the Mayadevi temple. Its discovery in 1956 shows that other deities were also worshipped here. There are three reliefs depicting the worship of Mahishasura-mardini, Jagannath and linga. In the sanctuary can be seen the beautiful images of Trivikrama and Brahma. Other Structures             Among the other structures are a kitchen, two wells with seven structures and the enclosure. The gateway and the compound wall have nothing much to commend themselves. The resources of the king might have been used up at the time they were built.             One must visit the Archaeological Museum at Konark which is close to the temple. It treasures some of the precious figures and stone carvings, which were earlier in the temple. They display the consummate workmanship and sensitivity of the artists who built Konark, a monument of rare excellence. Important Event             The Department of Culture, Government of Orissa organises a festival of dances sometime in winter every year. Renowned dancers from all over the country representing different classical style, give performances. It is an important cultural event in Orissa. It recreates in flesh and blood some of the memorable dance poses on the sides of the magnificent temple. PLACES AROUND KONARK Distance from Bhubaneswar is indicated within brackets. Chandrabhaga (70 km)             Chandrabhaga is closely linked up with Konark. Originally, it referred to the holy river which once flowed by the side of the temple. The visitor can still see traces of the river in the sandy patches. Chandrabhaga now refers to the sea-shore which is 3 km away from the Sun Temple. It is a beautiful holiday resort with its golden beach, bright sun-shine and gentle breeze. If you happen to be here around noon or early afternoon, you will perhaps like to see dozens of fishing boats returning to the shore. Soon enough, the local fishermen and their wives and children throng around the catch of the day.             There is a fascinating but tragic story about Chandrabhaga. The Sun-god Surya fell in love with this young woman of breath-taking beauty. Sadly though the affection was not returned which drove the love-lorn Surya mad. He suffered humiliation and a thousand torments. In utter despair he ran after the enchanting beauty right up to the shore. Chandrabhaga drawned herself in the sea bringing a tragic end to the love-pursuit. In rage and remorse, Chandrabhaga's father, the sage Sumanyu cursed the Sun-god prophecying that the temple would soon fall into ruin.             Thousands of devout Hindus take holy dips in the sea at Chandrabhaga before sunrise on the seventh day (Saptami) of the   bright half of the month of Magha (January-February). Ramchandi (75 km)             The small but famous temple of goddess Ramachandi is on the coast by the side of the Konark-Puri marine drive. There are several myths and legends sorrounding the goddess. At the time the Muslims invaded Orissa and descrated the Hindu temples, the image of Ramachandi was transferred to the Mayadevi Temple on the premises of the Konark temple. Legend has it that the goddess appeared as an old woman before the notorious Kalapahad and poured water for the thirty idol-breaker. He looked up after a long while, but she had vanished. In the mean time, the image of the goddess had been taken away to a safe place.             Ramachandi has a beautiful and unspoilt beach. It is also a nice picnic spot.