Why was Konark Wheel Chosen as Symbol of G20?

enrouteI
December 28, 2023

The Sun Temple, also known as the Konark Temple, is located in Konark, Odisha, India, and is related to the Konark Wheel. The 13th-century temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its complex construction and sculptures.

The term ‘Konark’ derives from two Sanskrit words: ‘Kona,’ which means a corner or angle, and ‘Arka,’ which refers to the sun god. Thus, Konark means ‘the corner of the sun’ or ‘the angle of the sun.’ This name accurately represents the Sun Temple’s location on India’s eastern coast, where the first rays of the morning sun hit its beautiful construction.

Architecture

The Konark wheel is a stone carving that depicts the wheel of the sun god Surya’s chariot.

The wheel is a component of the Konark Sun Temple, which was built in the 13th century during the reign of King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty. The Konark Wheel is 9 feet in diameter and has 8 larger spokes and 8 inner spokes. The temple has 24 (12 pairs) wheels that represent Lord Surya’s sun chariot. The 12 wheels reflect the 12 months of the year, while the 8 spokes represent the day’s eight prahars.

The uniqueness of these wheels is that they serve as symbolic motifs related to the seasonal cycle. The spokes of the wheel form a sundial, and the shadow cast by these wheels aids in calculating the exact time of day. Each wheel’s eight spokes reflect the eight ideal stages of a woman’s life. In addition, the twelve pairs of wheels represent the twelve months of the year. The above and below space of the wheels are decorated with hunting scenes, military processions, and thousands of rampaging elephants. There is also a representation of giraffes on the platform’s south side, which indicates that Konark dealt with Africa in the 13th century. The temple’s design is a fusion of abstract and geometric forms that are both refreshing to the mind and a visual feast. The rationale for erecting this temple with such enthralling sculptures is unknown. According to locals, when the soldiers won the war and returned victorious, the king built this temple with such extraordinary erotic sculptures drawn from the Kama Sutra that the victorious soldiers could have children who would become soldiers in the future and serve the king. One of the temple’s great artistic achievements is that it was built over twelve years by 1,200 workers under the supervision of master builder Bisu Moharana. Bisu Moharana, the architect, was such a dedicated individual that he left his homeland to focus only on the construction of this temple. Later, his son became active in the workshop and completed the construction that his father was unable to finish,

Astronomical and Religious Significance

The Sundial at Konark Sun Temple is very important in terms of astronomy. The sundial is supposed to have been designed by the temple’s architects using their understanding of astronomy, and its design is based on complicated mathematical calculations that took into account the earth’s rotation as well as the movements of the sun, moon, and stars. It can follow the position of the sun throughout the day and year. The wheel was created to line with the sun’s beams at various periods of the year, denoting the seasons and solstices. It is thought to have been utilized to determine the exact time for numerous religious events and rituals.

Different scholars interpret the wheel differently, with some interpreting the chariot’s wheels as the Wheel of Life. They depict the cycle of creation, preservation, and realization. These 12 pairs of wheels could represent the 12 zodiac signs. Some claim that the Wheel of Konark is the same as the Buddhist Dharmachakra – The Wheel of Karma, The Wheel of the Law.

The Konark wheel has eight wider and eight thinner spokes. Three hours (180 minutes) is the distance between two broader spokes. The thinner spoke is 1.5 hours (90 minutes) between two wider spokes. There are 30 beads between each wider and thinner spoke, and each bead signifies 3 minutes. The Sun dial displays time anticlockwise, with the top center wider representing 12 PM (midnight).

Konark Wheel and G20 Summit

The recent G20 summit that took place in Delhi on September 9th and 10th saw the feature of the Konark Sun Temple wheel, a symbol of India’s cultural heritage, as the backdrop for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s greeting of the delegates.

Narendra Modi with all foreign leaders

Prime Minister Modi welcomed the world leaders at the Bharat Mandapam, the venue of the summit, and posed with them for photos, with the Konark wheel behind them. He also explained the meaning of the Konark wheel to US President Joe Biden, who was among the guests. The Konark wheel was displayed along with the G20 logo and the Sanskrit slogan ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ – One Earth. One Family. One Future’, which was the theme of India’s G20 presidency. The slogan expresses the idea of global solidarity and cooperation for a sustainable future. The summit was attended by several heads of state and other prominent leaders, such as UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. They were greeted by Modi with a handshake and a smile, in front of the Konark wheel replica at the Bharat Mandapam. The summit also featured a musical performance by artists who played ‘Vaishnav Jan To’, ‘Padharo Mharo Des’, and ‘Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram’ on shehnai, a traditional wind instrument. These are songs that convey the values of peace, harmony, and service to humanity. The G20 summit was a successful event that showcased India’s cultural and diplomatic leadership on the global stage. The Konark wheel was a spinning heritage that reflected the rich and diverse history and culture of India.

Significance

Historian Anil Dhir praised the move by the government and said it is a proud moment for both India and Odisha. He further added “…The wheel is intriguing and the wheel is a marvellous piece of ancient Indian craftsmanship on stone. The Konark temple is a world heritage site. It is indeed a proud moment both for India and Odisha…A wonderful opportunity to bring ancient Indian glorious art to the world stage…”
The Konark wheel also found its importance in the writing of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore which he described as a place “where the language of man is defeated by the language of stone”. Of all the parts of the World Heritage monument, the wheel remains the most celebrated symbol of the temple as it adorns several drawing rooms. Last month, celebrity chef Vikas Khanna unveiled a replica of the wheel made of Sandstone of 1750 kgs at Times Square in New York City. The wheel is also depicted on the back side of the currency notes of ₹10. Thus pointing towards its importance in the depiction of Indian heritage and its values.

The Konark Wheel, intricately carved as part of the 13th-century Sun Temple in Odisha, India, holds cultural, architectural, and astronomical significance. Representing the sun god’s chariot, the wheel’s 12 pairs symbolize months, and its design acts as a sundial, tracking the sun’s movements. Its role in the G20 Summit, with a replica serving as a backdrop for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s interactions, showcased India’s rich heritage on the global stage. The wheel’s placement in diplomatic photo sessions highlighted its cultural importance. This recognition not only emphasized the country’s historical craftsmanship but also brought ancient Indian art to the world stage. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Konark Temple and its iconic wheel continue to be celebrated symbols of India’s cultural legacy, reaching international prominence at events like the G20 Summit.

References

Konark Wheel becomes the centre of attraction at G-20 summit venue (2023) Hindustan Times. Available at: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/konark-wheel-becomes-centre-of-attraction-at-g-20-summit-venue-101694257244571.html (Accessed: 24 December 2023).
Konark wheel replica takes center stage at G20 venue: ‘Odisha’s timeless wonder’ (no date) India Today. Available at: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/g20-summit-odisha-konark-chakra-sun-temple-delhi-replica-welcome-handshake-2433380-2023-09-09 (Accessed: 24 December 2023).
PTI (2023) ‘G-20 summit | spotlight on Odisha’s Konark wheel at venue’, The Hindu, 9 September. Available at: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/g-20-summit-spotlight-on-odishas-konark-wheel-at-venue/article67289679.ece (Accessed: 24 December 2023).
Sun temple – konark, orissa (no date). Available at: http://archive.org/details/sun-temple-konark-orissa (Accessed: 24 December 2023).
The konark sun temple wheel | lotus eco beach resort konark (no date). Available at: https://www.orchidhotel.com/lotus-eco-beach-resort-konark/blogs/the-mystical-konark-sun-temple-wheel.html (Accessed: 24 December 2023).
The Times of India (2023) ‘Replica of the wheel of Konark sun temple unveiled at NYC’s Times Square’, 16 August. Available at: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/replica-of-wheel-of-konark-sun-temple-unveiled-at-nys-times-square/articleshow/102778195.cms (Accessed: 24 December 2023).