Solarisation of Konark Sun Temple | 21 May 2020

The Government of India has launched a scheme for 100% solarisation of Konark sun temple and Konark town in Odisha.

The scheme will meet all energy requirements of Konark town with solar energy.

Objective:
- To take forward the Prime Minister’s vision to develop the historical Sun temple town of Konark in Odisha as ‘Surya Nagri’.
- To convey a message of synergy between the modern use of solar energy and the ancient Sun Temple and the importance of promoting solar energy.
Plan: It envisages setting up of the 10-MW grid connected solar project and various solar off-grid applications such as solar trees, solar drinking water kiosks and off-grid solar power plants with battery storage.
Funding: 100% Central Financial assistance (CFA) support of around Rs. 25 crore through the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
Implementation Agency: Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency.

Konark was built by King Narasimhadeva I of the Ganga Dynasty (1238-1264AD) in the 13^th century and is located in Eastern Odisha near the sacred city of Puri.
The temple is designed in the shape of a colossal chariot. It is dedicated to the sun God.
- There are two rows of 12 wheels on each side of the Konark sun temple.
- The seven horses are said to symbolize the seven days of the week.
The temple was used as a navigational point by European sailors. They referred to it as the ‘Black Pagoda’ due to its dark colour and its magnetic power that drew ships into the shore and caused shipwrecks.
It is the culmination of Odisha temple architecture.
It was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1984.