Photo Feature: Sun Temple’s tryst with full moon at Konark

Photos and text By Rathin Das*

Konark: An architectural marvel, the Sun Temple off the Bay of Bengal coastline here offers a breathtaking view of the intricate stone sculptures and the massive wheels of time.  Built on an exact east-west latitude parallel to the equator, the Sun Temple is actually a huge stone chariot facing the sun as it rises on the horizon. Intricate stone carvings on the Sun Temple’s walls make it a much sought-after tourist destination, even if the erotic postures of some sculptures are ignored.

Better informed people try to visit the Sun Temple on a full moon to capture its glory in moonlight, though the scene may not be as resplendent as the Taj Mahal by moonlight. Unlike the Taj’s white, shining, translucence marbles which reflect any available light, the Sun Temple is made of brown sandstones sourced from the hills of Odisha. The vagaries of weather since the 13^th century have taken away sheen off the stones, making them incapable of reflecting any glow at all.

Nevertheless, a visit to the Sun Temple on a full moon can be a delightful experience for tourists and photographers eager to capture the light and shades of the stone carvings. Though no one expects the Sun Temple to glow like the Taj, the moon too disappoints by playing hide and seek with the clouds.  But can the moon play truant with the earthlings for long? No, finally, the moon gives up its arrogance and entices humans with its minimum glow behind the clouds on an end-of-monsoon full moon. And, then begins another round of hide and seek between the moon and clouds as the Sun Temple at Konark remains a mute witness to the celestial game.

*Senior journalist