One of the greatest treasures of Indian Temple architecture and on the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites, The Sun Temple of Konarka on the East coast of Orissa stands as a witness to the cult of Surya. Even in its dilapidated condition it represents the unique beauty and harmony of architecture and stulpture combined. The present book attempts a fresh approach in understanding its symbolism. The splendid photographs of the renowned Japanese photographer Oki Morihiro bring out the grandeur of the conception of the chariot of the Sun God, and the excellence of its sculptures with delightful details. The volume is introduced by two scholars in the fields of Orissan temple architecture and archaeology. Bettina Baumer in her introduction approaches the temple with a new interpretation, based on the Saura, Vedic and Tantric traditions, throwing light on its symbolism and its mystical dimension. MA. Konishi places the temple in its historical and geographical context and its importance as a World Heritage. The book provides both, a visual delight by the introduction to this great monument of Orissa. It can well serve as a guide to understanding and appreciating the temple of Konarka.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Bettina Baumer
Dr. Bettina Baumer is an indologist from Austria, living and working in Varanasi since 1967. At present she is Director of Research, Alice Boner Foundation, Hon. Consultant, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, and Visiting Professor in Vienna University. Her main fields of research are Silpa.sastra of Orissa and Kashmir Saivism. She has edited 3 volumes of Kalatattvakosa, A Lexicon of Fundamental Concepts of the Indian Arts (Vol. I, 1988; Vol. II, 1992; Vol. Ill, 1996), Silparatnakosa (Delhi 1994), and is the author of several books in German, and a number of research articles.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR M.A. Konishi
Konishi Masatoshi (b. 1938), is a Professor Emeritus, Rikkyo University, Tokyo. A graduate of the Universities of Calcutta and Tokyo, specializing in South Asian Archaeology and Art. His major publications are: Afghanistan (1968); Arts and Crafts of India (1977); Diverse World of India (1981); Aspects of the Indian Folk Culture (1986); History of Culture of Bengal (1986); Folk Performances of India (2002); among others.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR OKI Morihiro
OKI Morihiro (b. 1929), is a freelance photographer and member of Japan Professional Photographer's Society. He has visited India for more than 100 times, driving his jeep to the remotest villages. His major publications include: Mother Teresa and Her Sisters (1978); India-Fairs and Festivals (1988); Mother Teresa-Love without Limit (1987); Folk Paintings from the Indian Earth (with Konishi, 2001); Unknown India (with Konishi, 2007); and many others.
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