The Chariot of the Sun: The Building of Konark
Narrator: In the thirteenth century, along the coastal shores of Odisha, India, a monumental vision took shape. King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty decreed that a temple be built to honor Surya, the Sun God. This was not to be an ordinary temple, but a colossal stone chariot drawn by seven horses, carrying twenty-four magnificently carved stone wheels. Today, we step back in time to witness the ambition, the science, and the legendary sacrifice behind the creation of the Konark Sun Temple.
King Narasimhadeva: (Gazing out over the construction site with pride) Look upon this, Bisu! For twelve years, twelve hundred of our finest artisans have labored under your direction. The temple rises from the sands like Surya’s own celestial carriage. But tell me, are the twenty-four stone wheels completed to my exact specifications?
Bisu Maharana: (Bowing respectfully) Indeed, Your Majesty. Each wheel is a masterpiece of both artistry and mathematics. They are not merely ornamental. They are precise instruments of time. Each wheel measures nearly ten feet in diameter, featuring eight wide spokes and eight thin spokes.
Narrator: The king and the master architect walk toward one of the massive stone wheels carved into the temple’s plinth. Bisu points to the intricate carvings of deities, animals, and foliage that decorate the stone.
- lodestone:
- A piece of naturally magnetized mineral or rock that can attract iron.
- cantilever:
- A structural beam that project outwards and is supported at only one end.
- plinth:
- The heavy stone block or base on which a column, wall, or statue stands.
- praharas:
- Traditional Indian units of time, each equal to about three hours.
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- 1Which king ordered the construction of the Konark Sun Temple, and which deity was it built to honor?
- 2For how many years did the twelve hundred artisans labor under Bisu Maharana's direction?
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About this reader's theater passage for Middle School
“The Chariot of the Sun: The Building of Konark” is a reader's theater reading passage about The engineering and legends of the Konark Sun Temple, written for Middle School. It takes about 5 minutes to read (777 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.