Government of India has launches scheme for 100 % solarisation of Konark sun temple & Konark town in Odisha.

About:

1. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has taken up the Complete Solarisation of Konark sun temple and Konark town in Odisha. Implementation of this Project will be done by Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA).
2. The Scheme envisages setting up of 10 MW grid connected solar project and various solar off-grid applications like solar trees, solar drinking water kiosks, off-grid solar power plants with battery storage etc.
3. There will be 100% Central Financial Assistance (CFA) support of around Rs. 25 Crores from Government of India through Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE).
4. The scheme will meet all the energy requirements of Konark town with solar energy.

Konark sun temple:

1. Konark Sun Temple, located in the East Odisha near the sacred city of Puri.
2. Built in 13th century by King Narasimhadeva I (AD 1238-1264). Its scale, refinement and conception represent the strength and stability of the Ganga Empire as well as the value systems of the historic milieu.
3. The temple is designed in the shape of a colossal chariot. It is dedicated to the sun God. In this sense, it is directly and materially linked to Brahmanism and tantric belief systems.
4. The Konark temple is widely known not only for its architectural grandeur but also for the intricacy and profusion of sculptural work.
5. It marks the highest point of achievement of Kalinga architecture depicting the grace, the joy and the rhythm of life all its wondrous variety.
6. It was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1984.
7. There are two rows of 12 wheels on each side of the Konark sun temple. Some say the wheels represent the 24 hours in a day and others say the 12 months.
8. The seven horses are said to symbolize the seven days of the week.
9. Sailors once called this Sun Temple of Konark, the Black Pagoda because it was supposed to draw ships into the shore and cause shipwrecks.
10. Konârak is the invaluable link in the history of the diffusion of the cult of Surya, which originating in Kashmir during the 8th century, finally reached the shores of Eastern India.